The Village of Dexter is a step closer to allowing medical marijuana dispensaries. The Planning Commission Monday night recommended approval of changes to the zoning ordinance that would allow and regulate dispensaries.

The commission held a public hearing on the proposed changes and then gave its stamp of approval to them. The Village Council still must approve the amendments.

Dexter resident Sara Keywell told the planners she supported allowing dispensaries in the village.

"I have multiple sclerosis and use medical marijuana," she said. "My dispensary is a 30-munite drive from here."

Dexter resident Mike Robb told the commission that he is against the use of medical marijuana.

"It's still a federal crime," he said. "I don't care if they have permits or not. It's going to get out to the kids."

Jason Bykowski of Macomb County, who is planning to move to Dexter with his wiife, said has used medical marijuana and favors the changes.

"I'm looking forward to moving to a community that's accepting," Bykowski told the commission.

The amended zoning ordinance would ban smoking or consumption and growing of medical marijuana at dispensaries as well as locating a dispensary within 500 feet of a library, a school or another dispensary. Also, the ordinance, among other regulations, would prohibit retail sales of drug paraphernallia at a dispensary.

• Download a copy of the amendments to the zoning ordinance..

Municipalities have been struggling with how and whether to regulate medical marijuana in the wake of Michigan voters' approval of it in 2008. Some communities, including Saline and Chelsea in Washtenaw County, have previously banned dispensaries, but the legality of such ordinances is not entirely clear.

In addition, Dexter Township has imposed a moratorium on dispensaries while it irons out a new ordinance. Ann Arbor is also working on an ordinance, and Ypsilanti recently approved one.

The recommendations from the Planning Commission will now go to the Dexter Village Council, which meets next on Monday, Jan. 10.

Lisa Carolin is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Fire more Dexter news, visit our Dexter page.