frequently asked questions

Friends of Stevensville was formed to bring the issue of the allowance of retail marijuana shops to a vote.  Four members of the Village Council made it law in the Village to allow retail marijuana shops.  The caretakers of our village should not have made such a momentus decision without a vote of the residents.  Friends of Stevensville was formed to bring the issue to a vote so that the will of the  residents, rather than the four Village Council members, would decide the issue.

The Village Council's stated purpose is that the shops are needed for a road funding shortfall.  This is false.  Presently, the Village designates $100K annually to road funding.  The Village states that in 2028, the Village will no longer be able to designate this amount from the general fund to road funding.  This is also false.  The analysis the Village presented excludes the increased $50K investment revenues that are happening now due to a change in investment strategy.   The Village analysis also excludes the CSIF matching grant of up to $250K annually.  The Village misrepresents the funding shortfall by excluding these other sources of funding.  Let's also bear in mind that the projected shortfall doesn't start until 2028, and there's a lot that can happen in five years, especially since Governor Whitmore has made it her mission to "fix the damn roads".  We would expect that in the next five years, there will be other legislation designed to improve Michigan roads.  

• Allowing marijuana establishments to operate in Stevensville will irrevocably change the landscape of our quaint village and family-friendly environment
• Stevensville will be introduced via billboards along I-94 as a place to buy marijuana, which is not the first impression we want our communtiy to have
• Stevensville’s motto is “Building a future, leaving a legacy.” Becoming a home for marijuana establishments isn’t the legacy we want to leave our children.
• Despite regulations on air quality, marijuana establishments produce a distinct odor that is not confined to the building and will negatively impact surrounding businesses and the walkable nature of the area.
• With 17 dispensaries currently operating within 30 miles of the village, we don't believe access to recreational marijuana is limited within our region.  Recreational marijuana is readily available within a 15 minute drive from the Village.  
• While Michigan does allow for the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana, the drug remains federally classified as a Schedule 1 drug, the highest rank by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.
• The council pushed the ordinance through even after a room full of people dedicated to and invested in Stevensville showed up to express their opposition. The voters deserve a voice.
• Concerned residents at the village meeting included Rehab Counselors and Doctors who strongly oppose the measure as a result of the impact it could have on residents, specifically minors. By allowing it within the village, the community is sending a message to the younger generation that this practice is acceptable and sanctioned.
• The majority of businesses on Red Arrow Highway that would be within the approved zone are opposed to the current ordinance. Business members of Stevensville are overwhelmingly against allowing marijuana establishments within the village.
• As a smaller community, we want to maintain and attract residents and businesses with positive measures, building up Stevensville as a great place to live, work, and play. This ordinance damages our image as a family-friendly community and could be a deterrent to young families, retirees, or others looking to move here.
• Regardless of its current status as legal at the state level, marijuana carries a negative stigma that will now be attached to the village of Stevensville.
• This will not impact any ordinances currently related to medical marihuana or its use.

Follow Friends of Stevensville on their Facebook Page or contact the group by email at FriendsOfStevensville@gmail.com