NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP, MI — The votes are in, and residents in Niles Charter Township have made their voices heard regarding two key proposals that will shape the future of marijuana dispensaries and related businesses in the community.
The first proposal on the ballot was a referendum on zoning ordinance amendment 25-01. That measure would have allowed an unlimited number of marijuana dispensaries to apply for licenses within the township. However, voters overwhelmingly rejected the plan, with 61% voting “no” and only 39% in favor. More than 1,800 residents opposed the ordinance, which was initially approved last year to pave the way for as many as 29 cannabis businesses.
If approved, the ordinance would have opened the door for new marijuana dispensaries to establish operations across Niles Charter Township, creating potential economic growth but also raising concerns about community impact. Instead, voters made it clear they were not ready for such rapid expansion of marijuana dispensaries in their area.
On the same ballot, residents were also asked to decide on a second measure a proposal to impose a complete ban on marijuana dispensaries within township limits. This proposal passed by a margin of 58% to 42%, with more than 1,700 residents voting “yes” to prohibit marijuana dispensaries entirely and around 1,200 voting “no.”
The two ballot decisions mark a significant shift in local sentiment, effectively halting the spread of marijuana dispensaries in the township for now. Community leaders say the results reflect ongoing concerns about market oversaturation and Niles Charter Township’s proximity to the Indiana state line, where cannabis remains illegal.
Residents who opposed the expansion of marijuana dispensaries argued that too many businesses could alter the township’s character and attract unwanted activity.
Township officials now face the challenge of balancing public opinion with Michigan’s broader cannabis legalization framework. Across the state, communities remain divided on how many marijuana dispensaries should operate locally, and Niles Charter Township’s vote underscores that debate.
As of now, both proposals make it clear that marijuana dispensaries will not be permitted within the township. Local leaders and residents will continue to monitor how this decision affects nearby areas that have embraced the cannabis industry.
Stay with ABC57 News for updates as more information becomes available about this developing story and the future of marijuana dispensaries in Southwest Michigan.