GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For the first time Thursday, the Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved plans for a medical marijuana business under the city's new regulations.
The Helping Hands Provisioning Center will go in at 3510 E. Mall Drive SE off the East Beltline near the Shops at CenterPoint. It's also across the street from Woodland Mall.
"So exciting," owner Tonja Stapleton told 24 Hour News 8. "This location, when I first saw it, I knew it was perfect for this land use. … It's going to be a regional use, it's going to serve the entire community. The mall location is perfect."
Planning commissioners agreed the spot is a good one: it's a commercial area and there's enough parking.
"Personally, this seems to be a very good location for this type of operation and I think they thought it out well," commissioner Paul Greenwald said.
Paul Kaufman, who owns Eastbrook Auto Wash nearby the new shop, raised concerns about the proximity to the Sensations Showgirls strip club.
"We already got a strip club in the neighborhood. We got a pool hall. I just don't think that fits," Kaufman said.
Stapleton said the dispensary will open within 120 days.
Read more at WOODTV.com