Medical Cannabis Application Process
We continue to accept applications. Application forms can be downloaded from the Forms page, which also contains a link to the online application form.
Applications should be submitted either via the online application form, or in person using printed forms, attachments, and a digital copy of all application materials.
How Applications Are Ordered
For core industry uses (grower, processor, and provisioning center) that require Special Land Use approval from the Planning Commission, the order in which the applications are considered is important. This is because of the required separation distance between cannabis facilities, which can be 1,000 or 2,000 feet depending on the facility type.
All applications requiring Planning Commission approval are entered into a queue. A draw took place on April 26, 2019 for all applications received between March 4 and March 15, which set the queue order for those applications based on their pick in the draw. You can view a video of the draw here. Any applications received after the draw window are placed into the queue in the order in which staff finds that applications are complete. Required pre-application meetings with staff may help to limit the number of items missing from an initial application submittal. A significant amount of time is generally needed to prepare a complete application, including time for required meetings with neighbors, City staff, and others. Please plan accordingly.
Influence Areas
Influence Area Map(PDF, 179KB)
How Influence Areas Work
TL;DW - If the approval or denial of one application could directly or indirectly affect the eligibility of another application (because of the required separation distance between cannabis facilities), the two applications are in the same influence area. There are 21 influence areas around the City. Applications are placed on Planning Commission agendas in order of their queue order, except that two applications in the same influence area will not be considered by the Planning Commission at the same meeting. While this model results in some complexity in the scheduling process and the potential for delays within a given area, allows for the Planning Commission to carefully consider each application on its own merits in reference to the Special Land Use review standards, and limits conflicts between nearby applications.
Please note that the "Maximum Facilities" noted on the Influence Area map for any particular area is not a cap. The City of Grand Rapids does not assign caps for any license type, but rather limits the number and location of cannabis facilities through zoning and separation distances. Rather, the "Maximum Facilities" number is an estimate of the maximum potential number of facilities that could possibly be located within an influence area, if all facilities were perfectly spaced apart based on ordinance requirements. The size and location of influence areas is subject to change as land uses change.
Application Status Details
As we receive applications, we post selected application information online here.
Details Posted to Website
- Address of Proposed Facility
- Type of Facility
- Separation Distance (once in effect)
- Influence Area
- Queue order
- Date of Public Hearing, if required (once scheduled)
- Application Status
As applications are scheduled on a Planning Commission agenda, documents will be posted about two weeks prior to the meeting on the City's Boards and Commissions web portal, located online at grandrapidscitymi.iqm2.com.