Gaylord council says no again to Marijuana consumption at golf event
GAYLORD - The social media company promoting an August golf outing in Gaylord went before the city council Monday night seeking a change in the marijuana ordinance to permit the consumption of cannabis during the two-day event.
Just like it did two weeks ago, the panel rejected the request.
517 Golf sought the change so it could host a celebrity golf outing on Aug. 28-29 at the Otsego Resort featuring John Daly, a professional on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. The group's proposal would have allowed the consumption of marijuana in a designated area on resort property.
Tim Corser, the CEO of 517 Golf, said he couldn't find a "valid reason" why the council didn't approve the ordinance change when it was first requested two weeks ago.
"I don't know why we can't do this on a nearly 1,000-acre property," he said.
This time, Corser brought supporters of the concept to the meeting. Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, said the organization's board had endorsed the event.
"I think this will be a great event for our community, particularly since it will be here on a Monday and Tuesday as opposed to a weekend," Beachnau said. "It has the potential to bring thousands of guests to Gaylord."
Beachnau said the city is in the business of regulating the sale of cannabis.
"You have the right and obligation to amend your ordinance as necessary and as circumstances change," he added.
At first, organizers said as many as 10,000 might attend the event but later that was amended to about 3,000 people a day.
Those opposed to consumption again questioned the wisdom of allowing adults to openly consume a drug and then having to caution youth on the dangers of using drugs. They also said only nine of 500 cities in the state allow this type of event and noted that the majority of comments from locals two weeks ago were in opposition.
As he did in the first consideration of the issue, councilman Vic Ouellette cautioned against the proposal.
"We should not change an ordinance to benefit one group or entity," he said.
Council member Alan Witt said during meetings conducted by a citizen study committee that eventually recommended Gaylord legalize marijuana use and businesses, "we never discussed open consumption. Maybe it's something to look into and study."
On a 5-2 vote, council again endorsed an amendment change to permit the temporary suspension of marijuana licenses for minor violations but not allow one for open consumption at the golf outing. Jordan Awrey and Witt voted no while Stephen Hartz, Ouellette, Mike Ryan, Bob Wilson and Mayor Todd Sharrard voted yes.
"I was willing to give this a chance. Right now the voice of the community is they are not ready for this step. My thinking is (some) people are going to be out there doing it. So I just want to see it taken in a safe way. I see us coming into this at some point but I just don't know when it will be happening," Awrey said.
"There are still a lot of unknowns and we are still in the infancy of the (marijuana) industry," added Sharrard. "We have only been in this one year so we are still in a learning curve just like other cities and townships. We don't need to make consumption available today. Like somebody else said maybe it is down the road and it probably will be."
In an email reply, 517 Golf said the August golf outing with Daly will occur on Aug. 29.
"It’s always been happening regardless. People are coming from all over the country to play in this tournament. It’s happening. It’s just going to be called The Free Chicken & Beer festival featuring the Fore 20 Golf tour," said the message.
