Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jun 2010
Source: Times Herald, The (Port Huron, MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Times Herald
Contact: http://www.thetimesherald.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.thetimesherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2570
Author: Jason Alexander, Times Herald
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana

AMSDILLS WILL FIGHT FOR POT CENTER

Kimball Officials to Revise, Review Moratorium

KIMBALL TWP. -- A local couple still is in limbo regarding whether 
they will be able to operate a medical marijuana compassion center in 
Kimball Township.

Township officials previously approved a six-month moratorium banning 
such compassion centers but decided to revise the language in the 
measure in the meantime.

Those revisions have been made, but at Tuesday's board meeting, 
Township Supervisor Rob Usakowski said the board would continue to 
review the changes and likely will discuss them at future meetings.

He added the township's planning commission would continue to review 
zoning issues with the business.

"We can't prohibit a legal business from opening, but we can decide 
where they are located," Usakowski said.

Kimball Township officials issued a citation April 28 to Debra and 
Jim Amsdill. The citation was dropped until the revisions could be done.

The moratorium was designed to give the planning commission time to 
develop zoning guidelines for such businesses, which the Amsdills 
have said are places for medical marijuana users and their caregivers 
to gather.

The state's medical marijuana law does not address such facilities.

The Amsdills opened their center March 10 in the Sawmill Commons 
strip mall, 4731 Lapeer Road, a short time before township officials 
approved the six-month moratorium banning compassion centers.

Jim Amsdill said the business is booming.

"We've been open. We are doing great, and we are not going away," he said.

He added he would fight to keep his business open.

Jim Amsdill added he had plans to open another compassion center 20 
miles north of Kimball Township but would not disclose the exact 
location. He said the couple also plans to open a center in Warren.

He also plans to open a fruit and vegetable stand next to the Blue 
Water Compassion Center later this summer and has had discussions 
with an associate to bring a restaurant to the Sawmill Commons complex.

"We are here for Kimball," he said. "We want to help the community."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake