Albion Planning Board limits cannabis dispensaries to general commercial districts

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Save-A-Lot plaza on Route 31, which includes the vacant former site for Gordmans, is zoned general commercial and is far enough away from a church or school to be a possibility for a cannabis dispensary. No one has submitted a proposal for a dispensary.

ALBION – The Village Planning Board agreed on Thursday to allow cannabis dispensaries at sites that are zoned general commercial – as long as they meet the regulations set by the state.

Those regulations keep dispensaries from at least 500 feet from a school and at least 200 feet from a church.

“We will use general commercial as an acceptable area but they still have to meet codes,” Karen Conn, the Planning Board chairwoman, said following a public hearing on the issue. “It’s up to them to find a spot and work with the code enforcement officer.”

No one has submitted a proposal for a dispensary in Albion. The regulations from the state would keep a dispensary away from the school on Route 31. It might also be hard to find a spot in the downtown area because there are several churches there.

Villages officials see the Save-A-Lot plaza on Route 31 and also the general commercial area on Hamilton Street as spots that could be considered for a dispensary.

The Village Board voted on Oct. 21, 2021 to opt in and allow legal marijuana dispensaries. Albion officials at the time said allowing the marijuana sites will make it easier for local residents to get the product in town, instead of driving to other communities and possibly putting others at risk on the roadways.

Village Board members also cited the potential tax benefits for the village. The state will have a 13-cent excise tax per $1 on the marijuana sales, and the village will get 3 of those cents per dollar.