With a 4-3 vote, the Ontonagon Village Council, the council voted to table a motion on opting out of passing an ordinance to not allow a marijuana business to operate within the village.

Leading the way to make it legal for a marijuana retail business to open in the village was council member Sarah Hopper. Hopper stated that she was against the “opt out” ordinance.

“The citizens of Michigan voted to legalize recreational marijuana,” she said. “People in our area can now legally allowed to consume, transport, and grow cannabis. Opting out will not stop this.”

Hopper talked about the economic benefits of a marijuana retail business in the village.

“This includes bringing good traffic downtown,” Hopper said. “This is our chance to get a head start.”

That was in reference to communities that are opting out, however may change their ordinances in 18 months.

She also stated that the village has been approached by two businesses. She has been in communication with former 110th State Representative Scott Dianda, who now represents a company called Tranquility Field.

“He (Dianda) told me they are proposing to build micro businesses,” she said. “They are looking to acquire land and build new construction. They would be willing to take down a blighted building and start fresh. New construction similar to a bank or Starbucks.”

When others on the council questioned whether Dianda has been in communication with Village Manager Joe Erickson, and how it appeared that some council members were not aware of this dialog between the village and Dianda.

“Something along the line that I was not aware that the village has already been approached by two businesses,” said council member Tony Smydra.

Erickson quickly responded.

“Mr. Dianda stopped in to ask if the council was going to opt in or opt out,” he said. “I hadn’t talked to him since April or May about anything other than what our position is.”

Erickson stated that other than the one visit the only communication with Dianda was phone calls and messages.

Council member Mike Mogen stated his position is what the residents of the village want and voted on the recreational marijuana referendum, not what the voters in the state wanted.

In Ontonagon Township Precinct 1, the voters voted no to the legalization of recreational marijuana, 643-507.

Further investigation led by Smydra and Hopper to get more information on this issue was agreed upon. Along with asking Dianda and possibly those interested in opening a retail marijuana business in the village, the council voted to table the issue. Voting in support of tabling the proposed ordinance with Smydra and Hopper was council member Don Chastain and Council President Ken Waldrop.

Voting to support the ordinance to prohibit a retail marijuana business from opening in the village wer council members John Hamm, Mike Mogen, and Jr. Marks.