Discussion on Marlette’s recreational marihuana business ordinance has been tabled until after residents vote next August on a petition opposing the establishment of such businesses in the city.
The Marlette City Council, after receiving a legal opinion in closed session, voted on Monday, December 1, to table both the regulatory ordinance process and the marihuana business application period until after the results of the August 4, 2026 election are known. On that ballot, Marlette voters will be asked to vote yes or no on the following petition:
“The City of Marlette ordains that no marihuana establishments, as defined by the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, are permitted within the boundaries of the City. This ordinance shall be published immediately upon certification of the vote and shall become effective either 25 days after certification or upon publication, whichever is later.”
The petition is being put forward by Charles Bush, who has previously said it reflects personal views and is being brought by him as a private citizen and not as mayor of Marlette.
In a statement to local media, Marlette City Manager Christine Malzahn stressed that “[t]he City Council did NOT approve marihuana establishments city-wide. Through the zoning ordinance adoption, the Council limited the possibility of recreational marihuana businesses to industrial-zoned areas only. This means no marihuana establishments would be allowed along M-53 in the commercial district or in any residential areas of the city.”
She further explained that if the ballot petition passes in August, the only marihuana-related business allowed to continue operating would be the existing medical grow facility located at the end of Karen Street and no additional licenses for adult-use grows or dispensaries would be issued.
However, if the petition fails, the City Council would proceed with adopting a regulatory ordinance that would specify how many recreational marihuana businesses could operate, along with other operational conditions, standards, and requirements. An application period would then open, allowing recreational marihuana grow and dispensary businesses to seek approval and being strictly limited to industrial-zoned areas only.
