In Michigan, the 600-acre Headlands International Dark Sky Park preserve near Mackinaw City has been certified by the group. The International Dark Sky Association certifies areas that provide an environment for sky gazing under the best possible conditions: no outside lighting. Barentine, director of public policy for the International Dark Sky Association in Tucson, Arizona, said municipalities and greenhouse operators are working to resolve the light pollution problem. The state issued its first licenses last week to allow the growing, processing and sale of recreational marijuana. That’s a question being asked with increasing frequency in Canada and likely soon in Michigan, as marijuana grow operations spread out with the recent legalization of recreational sales. “But it also raises a question: Do they have the right to obliterate and take away our night sky from us?” I know these (greenhouse) operators are probably within their rights to use lights. “The lake is one of the few natural areas we have to enjoy the dark and the stars. “I thought it was kind of neat at first, but then more popped up,” Burgoyne said. Officials add that some vegetable and fruit growers have expanded their growing seasons and become “24/7” farmers, as opposed to traditionally shutting down in November. Marijuana grow operations require a variety of high intensity LED lighting to enhance cannabis production. The light, according to Canadian officials, comes from greenhouses used for cultivating vegetables, fruit, and in the past couple of years, marijuana. What Burgoyne said he and others are noticing are intense “pockets of glow” outside Windsor, in the direction of Leamington and Kingsville. “I grew up on the lake and have seen some changes over the years - like red safety lights near windmills. “First time I saw them, I was out for a walk along Lake Shore Drive,” said Burgoyne.
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