ADRIAN — Facing competition from outside the city limits, some Adrian cannabis retailers are asking city commissioners to extend the hours they are allowed to be open.

Chris Jacobson, from Amazing Budz on South Main Street, spoke at the June 16 commission meeting. He said his store is not far from retailers in Madison Township who can stay open later, while dispensaries in the city have to close by 9 p.m.

“We need to make sure that we’re on a level playing field,” he said.

Jacobson said allowing later hours would help the city in multiple ways. More sales inside the city would bring more money to city government through the state’s revenue sharing program, and he also said that an additional 14 hours a week of business would create more wages in the city if retailers could stay open until 11 p.m.

Acting city administrator Vince Emrick told commissioners this question has come up before.

Commissioner Mary Roberts said she supports extending the hours for a few reasons.

“I do think that the competition from having one in Madison Township could hurt some of the local businesses, and we need to stay competitive,” she said.

She also noted that the Fluresh grow facility in Adrian closed several months ago, and that could mean a big decrease in state revenue sharing payments next year. 

This year, according to state records, Adrian received $640,515 in revenue sharing from marijuana taxes and fees.

Mayor Angela Sword Heath said she can’t think of any reasons not to allow marijuana retailers to stay open later.

“I have not been able to find a negative or a harm in extending those hours,” she said.

Commissioners told Emrick they would like to discuss extending the allowable hours to 11 p.m.

City staff will prepare a draft ordinance for commissioners to review in July. In order for a change to go into effect, there would need to be a first reading at one meeting, followed by a vote at a second meeting.

The Adrian City Commission meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m.