Pubdate: Thu, 30 Dec 2010
Source: Livingston County Daily Press & Argus (MI)
Copyright: 2010 Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/Kk1qVKJf
Website: http://www.livingstondaily.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4265
Author: Frank Konkel, Daily Press & Argus
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA EXTENDED

Still struggling with how to deal with a medical marijuana law 
approved by voters two years ago, Brighton Township's Board of 
Trustees this week extended a moratorium it first enacted in June on 
medical marijuana businesses.

As in June, the township governing board feels the state hasn't 
properly clarified rules associated with the 2008 Medical Marihuana 
Act that made it legal for certain patients to use marijuana to 
relieve their symptoms.

"We had a six-month review, and like most communities, we don't know 
what the (Medical Marihuana Act) means, either," said Township 
Manager Dan Bishop, noting that its language is "poorly and loosely written.

"It's hard to get a grasp on something like this. It's like catching 
the wind," he added. "After a review of our research, we decided to 
extend the moratorium."

Several Livingston County municipalities have handled the medical 
marijuana issue in similar fashion because they feel pressured to 
have some type of ordinance on the books in case a medical marijuana 
dispensary aims to set up shop within their limits. In many cases, 
local governments are conflicted between enforcing state law and 
federal law, which continues to ban the use and possession of marijuana.

Hartland Township, the cities of Brighton and Howell and the village 
of Pinckney have either approved moratoriums while zoning rules are 
reviewed or simply zoned out buildings where marijuana would be 
smoked or dispensed.

Green Oak Township recently approved minor zoning-ordinance changes 
that incorporate state-approved medical marijuana use, possession and 
growth into the township's rules for building uses. The township's 
ordinance was updated to say that state-approved use, possession and 
growth of medical marijuana are exempt from a prohibition against 
building uses not in line with local, state and federal law.

"You need to have something on the books, because if someone comes in 
and says, 'We want to grow marijuana here in Pinckney and open up a 
dispensary,' we need to have a response," said Pinckney Village 
President Rebecca Foster.

Pinckney currently has a moratorium on medical marijuana businesses, 
with its Planning Commission researching a long-term solution to the issue.

Municipalities that opt not to enact a moratorium or ordinance 
regarding medical marijuana could face problems, Foster said.

"They run the risk of having a (medical marijuana business) come in 
their area with no way to handle it," she said.

In Michigan, the law allows people to use medical marijuana with a 
doctor's certification and a state registration if they have 
conditions such as cancer, HIV, Crohn's disease or other conditions 
involving chronic pain, nausea or muscle spasms. Individuals must 
apply to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Under the law, patients can possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12 
marijuana plants for personal use. Caregivers, authorized by the 
state to provide the marijuana, can possess a similar amount for each 
patient, up to five people. Users and caregivers must keep all 
marijuana under lock and key.

Bishop said he hopes Michigan legislators will review medical 
marijuana in the 2011 term and make clarifications. Until that - or 
something similar happens - Bishop said confusion over medical 
marijuana in Michigan will likely continue.  
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