Alpena Considers Changes to Marijuana Ordinance to Allow Curbside Pickup
During the restrictions caused by the pandemic, curbside pickup became a regular practice for a lot of businesses.
For marijuana shops in Michigan, that option went away last September. Now Neighborhood Provisions in Alpena is hoping the city will bring back the option. “I love the fact that the city council opened it up for questions so they kind of really understood where we’re coming from, where our customers are coming from, and really where the community as a whole is coming from,” said Kevin Currier, owner. “The city council took all of that into consideration, and they’re doing a fantastic job of amending it.”
Mayor Matt Waligora said he can’t speak for the rest of city council, but it’s very possible they could change the ordinance to allow that service again. “During our conversation this last Tuesday, it looked like that would probably be approved,” he said. “So we’re going to see that wording come up in our next revision of it which will probably be in early February.”
When the curbside option went away, Waligora said he didn’t notice a major difference. “I didn’t even realize that that came and went without any notice,” he said. “So, I don’t think that anyone other than the business and particular residents that use that option are even going to notice. I think it’s going to be business as usual if it passes.”
There’s also talk about allowing a drive-thru option as well. “It would be more of the pharmacy model where people would preorder and pick it up,” said Currier. “You’re just looking at the safest most accessible way people can get their medicine.”
Currently, there are two marijuana shops in town with a third on the way.
