Rules for marijuana shops debated at Detroit hearing

The city of Detroit held a public hearing this week attended by concerned residents and medical marijuana patients alike. The subject of discussion being the newest proposal for the cities' 150 medical marijuana shops. New regulations would prohibit drive-through and 24hr shops. Some are concerned about the many shops that have opened since legalization, but if the proposal passes, a dispensary will not be allowed within 2,000ft of another dispensary, and within 1,000 ft of a church, school, or public park. 

Jamaine Dickens, a consultant working with 420 Dank, a dispensary on Gratiot with drive-through service, said the stores are getting a bad rap. Dickens said the shops are providing legal medicine to people with illnesses. He said there have only been a few shootings in recent years involving dispensaries.

"As a lifelong Detroiter, I can tell you I expect more than three shootings at gas stations and coney islands in one month," he said.