Pubdate: Tue, 2 Nov 2010
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Royal Oak, MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.dailytribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1579
Author: Mike Scott, For The Daily Tribune
Cited: Bloomfield Township http://www.bloomfieldtwp.org/Government/Trustees.htm
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP BANS MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

Bloomfield Township approved two ordinances last week that will 
affect how medical marijuana patients in the community will fill 
their prescriptions.

Residents who are eligible under state law to consume marijuana for 
medicinal purposes will have to fill their prescriptions at 
dispensaries outside the township, according to the township board of 
trustees' unanimous vote.

The board has been debating the issue for several months and had 
placed a moratorium on the issue a few times since voters approved 
the state law in November 2008.

Since then, communities around the state have had to make decisions 
on whether dispensaries can be allowed within their borders. Without 
any real tax benefits to local communities for allowing dispensaries, 
few have taken steps to allow them.

Not only will dispensaries not be allowed in Bloomfield Township but 
cultivation of product also is forbidden. However, residents who have 
a state card that allows them to use marijuana for medicinal purposes 
will have to register with township police, the requirements of a 
second ordinance approved by the board in late October. Patient 
registration will be confidential and failure to register would be a 
misdemeanor.

"This is really about trying to avoid a recipe for disaster," said 
Capt. Steve Cook of Bloomfield Township Police. "Registering with the 
police department is really for the protection of residents and officers."

One of the problems with how the state law is written is that there 
are inconsistencies in how law enforcement should handle residential 
marijuana cases, Cook said. The department wants to avoid any 
unnecessary raids for marijuana use, and registering with the police 
department can help with that, he added.

"I'm not asking residents to register with our department because we 
want to charge them," Cook said. "But we want to work with you as 
long as you are working within the state law. If your (physician) has 
prescribed a resident to use medical marijuana and you are complying 
with state law, that is your business and we won't bother you."

The issue is that without local registration, Cook and his officers 
won't know whether residents are using legally or illegally.

"Everyone is wrestling with the fact that this state law is poorly 
written," Cook said. "If a resident needs it for (chronic pain) who 
am I to say no?"

Medical marijuana can be used only in residential areas, and there 
can be no more than two patient users in a home, according to state 
law. Caregivers, though, do not have to register with township police.

Michigan law provides for caregivers, who may have up to five 
patients. Caregivers are allowed to grow up to 12 plants per patient 
and must be registered with Michigan.

Cook is not aware of other municipalities that require their 
residents with a state medical marijuana card to register with local 
police. However many municipalities haven't finalized their local 
ordinances and whether they will allow growing or dispensaries within 
their communities.

"I do know that 64 percent of our (township) residents voted for this 
state law," Cook said. "We are trying to figure out what we can and 
should enforce."

Nearby communities Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham also do not allow 
dispensaries while Beverly Hills continues to have a moratorium on the issue.

While marijuana use is against federal law, federal authorities have 
not actively fought medical marijuana usage under state laws. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake