Title
An Ordinance to Add Chapter 95 (Temporary Reduction of Distance Requirements Between K-12 Schools and Marijuana Facilities and Establishments) to Title VII (Businesses and Trades) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor
Memorandum
On August 7, 2025, the Ann Arbor City Council directed the Planning Commission to consider whether the current Uniform Development Code currently reflects the best practices for regulation of marijuana facilities and establishments and to review:
- Whether the 1,000-foot K-12 distance requirement (from marijuana establishments) should remain in place, be reduced citywide, or reduced in certain zoning districts or locations;
- Whether a Special Exception Use permit is an appropriate use designation for marijuana facilities;
- Whether other UDC provision regarding marijuana growers and processors should be amended; and
- Whether there should continue to be a cap of 28 retailers in the City of Ann Arbor
Michigan law permits municipalities to reduce the 1,000-foot distance requirement and several have done so, including Big Rapids, Marquette, and Emmet Township. There are currently two marijuana retailers located within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school-one on S. Ashley St. and the other on Research Park Drive. There is also another entity interested in opening at a longstanding marijuana retail location on S. Main St. but cannot because of the 1,000-foot rule, which the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has begun strictly enforcing. There have been no complaints associated with any of the retailers currently operating within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school, which the Ann Arbor Police Department confirmed, and administrators at both schools have not expressed any complaints nor raised any issues regarding the sale of marijuana at the locations.
While the Planning Commission conducts their review, the proposed ordinance will allow two current marijuana retailers to renew their licenses with the City and the State of Michigan (CRA), and another...
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