What do Oxford Village residents think about the now-legal recreational marijuana industry?

Do they want to allow pot businesses in the community? Do they want to prohibit them? Do they favor permitting some, but barring others if the state will let municipalities pick and choose? What concerns and questions do they have about these facilities?

As they navigate these uncharted waters, village council members and planning commissioners are seeking public input on the subject.

That’s why they’re inviting residents to attend a special public hearing on Monday, May 20 in the council chambers at 22 W. Burdick St. It’s scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. A representative from the Michigan Municipal League will moderate the event, according to village Manager Joseph Madore.

Village President Joe Frost is encouraging residents to attend and voice their opinions.

“The village council values transparency and we value the opinion of our residents,” he said. “With an important topic such as this, we want to hear from our residents . . . and have a conversation about whether or not this is the right thing for our community.”

According to Frost, the village has no expectations when it comes to crowd size at the hearing. “We’re not sure what to anticipate,” he said. “We know it’s an important topic, but we don’t have a clear indication on how many people will attend.”

Frost is hoping for a good turnout.

“The village council works for our residents, so it’s very important to get (their) opinions . . . and it’s important for people to be part of this process . . . One way or the other, it will be a decision that will have an effect on our community, so we want to make sure our residents have a say in that.”

At a special April 16 meeting, council voted 3-2 to place a six-month moratorium on the six types of commercial marijuana establishments defined under the new state law that legalized recreational use of the drug.

The six business types are grower, safety compliance facility, processor, microbusiness, retailer and secure transporter.

According to village attorney Bob Davis, the moratorium gives the municipality the authority to reject applications for marijuana-related commercial uses for six months while the planning commission prepares an ordinance for council’s review and consideration.

As part of its motion, council directed planning commissioners to develop an ordinance framework regulating the time, place and manner of operation for marijuana facilities.

Davis previously told council that enacting a moratorium does not legally obligate the village to eventually adopt an ordinance allowing and regulating marijuana businesses. Council could still approve an ordinance banning them, he said.