Pubdate: Tue, 14 Dec 2010
Source: News-Herald, The (Southgate, MI)
Copyright: 2010 Heritage Newspapers
Contact: http://www.heritagenews.com/lettertoeditor/
Website: http://www.thenewsherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4015
Author: Ben Baird
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

FLAT ROCK: MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES PROHIBITED IN CITY

FLAT ROCK - Medical marijuana dispensaries are now prohibited in the city.

On Monday, the City Council unanimously adopted a zoning ordinance 
amendment that prohibits land use contrary to federal, state and local laws.

City Attorney David Grunow said the amendment went before the 
Planning Commission and had a public hearing before coming back to 
the council. He was directed to draft the amendment.

"The intent of the proposed ordinance is to avoid the establishment 
of dispensarylike businesses for marijuana," Grunow said in a letter 
to the council. "Though such dispensaries do not appear to be 
authorized under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, the status of 
the law on this issue is in flux."

While state law allows marijuana possession and use by authorized 
patients and caregivers, federal law classifies marijuana as a prohibited drug.

Because the ordinance amendment prohibits land use contrary to 
federal law, marijuana dispensaries are prohibited because federal 
law doesn't allow businesses to manufacture or distribute controlled 
substances. Federal law supersedes state and local laws.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake