Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 Source: Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider (MI) Contact: 2010 C & G Publishing Inc. Website: http://www.candgnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5168 Author: April Lehmbeck MEDICAL POT SHOPS ON HOLD IN EASTPOINTE Council Approves 120-Day Moratorium to Research Issue EASTPOINTE - City Council realizes that voters in the state gave the green light to make medical marijuana legal, but the city isn't ready to give anyone the option of coming in and setting up shop in the city to sell it right now. The City Council unanimously approved a 120-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries at its July 6 meeting. "I know that there's going to be people upset that say this has passed at the state level, and it has," Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Klinefelt said, adding that the city has to do its own research on how to regulate the sale of medical pot in the city. "We have to have rules in place . to safeguard this, like criminal background checks," she explained. Voters approved legalizing medical marijuana in 2008, which paved the way for new businesses to establish themselves and dispense the drug for medical use. "The city of Eastpointe Ordinance and Zoning Codes are silent with regard to the regulation and location of medical marijuana dispensaries," states the resolution the city passed establishing the moratorium. "The city of Eastpointe has received inquiries regarding the permitting, establishment and/or operation of medical marijuana dispensaries within the city," Acting City Manager Randy Altimus agreed that the city needed to initiate the moratorium. "We just want an opportunity to investigate what our options are," he said. Eastpointe isn't the only city taking this step. Bloomfield Township, Ferndale and Mount Clemens are among the many metro Detroit communities that recently have approved moratoriums. According to the city's resolution, there have been problems - like increasing crime and illegal drug sales near facilities - arising in some communities that have allowed the dispensaries to set up shop. During the 120-day moratorium, the city will study the issue and possibly propose zoning code amendments to alleviate any negative issues that might come up with the establishment of a dispensary, according to the resolution. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake