Constantine Village reviews application for marijuana consumption lounge

Constantine Village Council this week reviewed an application from Tranquility Fields Inc. of Ann Arbor to install a marijuana consumption center for events at 230 N. Washington St., between Locust and Birch streets.

Tranquility Fields also applied for a marijuana provisioning license from the village to sell marijuana on the property.

Scott Dianda and Ed Santiagelo, representatives of TFI, spoke to the council on opening a consumption lounge for adult-use marijuana at a November council meeting, but no applications had been received until now.

Dianda labeled his business a "night club for marijuana use with entertainment" at the earlier meeting. Several representatives of local medical and adult-use marijuana businesses in Constantine attended a meeting in October, raising questions about a consumption lounge. Dianda responded with a letter to the council, stating his business could help the entire community and marijuana business owners.

"Our tracking data shows most people purchasing cannabis come into the village to purchase products and leave, which only benefits the cannabis store owner. Our mission is to have our lounge become a destination, and increase trade by increasing the number of visitors who will show and enjoy food from local restaurants," he said.

A consumption lounge cannot sell food or beverages. It has to be delivered. Strict marijuana consumption rules limit the amount of cannabis a person can purchase and consume.

Village manager Mark Honesett said although a village ordinance currently says no new marijuana business applications can be taken until September, 2022, attorney Catherine Kauffman said that in her opinion this did not include a moratorium on consumption lounges.

The council took no action on the TFI applications at its July 18 meeting, and requested that Honeysett ask applicants to attend the Aug. 15 council meeting to give a presentation and answer questions.

The council also set a public hearing for 7:03 p.m. Aug. 1 to adopt an ordinance to replace the existing rental ordinance. The ordinance has several changes, including more frequent inspections, a clearer description of rental units and more well-defined responsibilities for the owner and landlord.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Constantine Village reviews marijuana consumption lounge application