Pubdate: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 Source: Crawford County Avalanche (MI) Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/nZ6k0GlA Copyright: 2011 Crawford County Avalanche Website: http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5247 Author: Dan Sanderson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/medical+marijuana+moratorium MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM PASSED Like following in the footsteps of a neighbor, the Grayling Charter Township Board placed a moratorium on the establishment of medical marijuana businesses within the township for at least a half of a year. The Grayling Township Board, at its regular monthly meeting last week, placed a six-month moratorium on allowing medical marijuana businesses to be opened within the township. Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act at the Nov. 4, 2008 general election polls. The state referendum legalized the use of marijuana for qualifying patients with certain diseases or medical issues. Grayling Charter Township Supervisor Terry Wright said township officials are requesting more time to study zoning regulating medical marijuana businesses. "We recognize the law has passed, but we need some time to study the ramifications and intricacies of it," Wright said. Zoning under the law regulates such facilities such as a dispensatory or locker facility for primary caregivers or registered qualifying patients to transact business. In February, the Grayling City Council also passed a six-month moratorium on allowing medical marijuana businesses to be opened within the city. Grayling City Manager/Police Chief Doug Baum attended the township board's meeting last week, but did not take part in the brief deliberations regarding the six-month moratorium. Baum said he hopes that all governmental units in Crawford County will adopt a uniform ordinance to address medical marijuana businesses. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake