Confusion lingers over marijuana proposals on Niles Charter Township Ballot

NILES, Mich. -- Voters in Niles Charter Township will see two marijuana-related proposals on their ballots Tuesday.

The first proposal revisits a zoning ordinance approved last year that allowed dispensaries to apply for and receive licenses within the township. Despite the earlier approval, township officials decided to return the issue to voters after pushback from residents.

A “yes” vote would allow 29 businesses to move forward under the current plan, opening dispensaries along the state line. Many local business owners have already sold properties to interested operators.

A “no” vote would reject that ordinance, halting the process and leaving those property deals in limbo.

The second proposal would impose a complete prohibition on marijuana establishments in the township.

A “yes” vote on that measure would permanently block any dispensaries from opening — even those that had already applied for licenses.

A “no” vote would allow previously approved businesses to continue operating if the zoning ordinance is upheld.

Residents and business owners have expressed concern about how the proposals could affect existing agreements and investments.

According to the group NoVote.org, a full prohibition could lead to lawsuits from business owners and potentially the township itself — legal battles that could prove costly for residents.

In our previous coverage of the zoning ordinance in Niles Charter Township, Niles Charter Township Supervisor Marge Durm-Hiatt explained that even local leaders aren’t sure what repercussions would look like if a prohibition were to be enacted.

“There’s millions of dollars that have exchanged hands here,” Durm-Hiatt said. “Some of them are just conditional, if we get approved, but some of them actually purchased property. I compare it to, you have money and you go to the casino hoping to make a lot of money, and sometimes you lose.”

If the prohibition measure passes, the disputes would likely be left to buyers and sellers to resolve privately.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.