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ATTORNEY: ACLU APPEALS COURT RULING SUPPORTING LIVONIA BAN OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES

The American Civil Liberties Union has appealed a Wayne County Circuit Court ruling that supported the city of Livonia's ban on medical marijuana facilities, according to Livonia's city attorney.

The ACLU of Michigan filed an appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals on Monday and the city of Livonia received notice of the claim of appeal on Tuesday, according to City Attorney Don Knapp.

The ACLU is appealing the ruling by Circuit Judge Wendy Baxter, who granted the city's motion for summary disposition last month.

The ACLU filed a suit in December on behalf of Linda and Robert Lott of Birmingham against the cities of Livonia, Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham regarding the authority of communities to prohibit medical marijuana use or sales on the grounds that marijuana possession violates federal law.  The Lotts own a portion of a property in Livonia where they said they wanted to grow medical marijuana, according to the ACLU.

The ACLU had argued in court that Livonia could not enact laws that violate state laws.

Michigan voters approved the use of medical marijuana in 2008.  The city of Livonia later enacted an ordinance that did not mention medical marijuana, but prohibited activities that violate federal law.

Linda Lott is a registered medical marijuana patient with multiple sclerosis.  She uses medical marijuana to get rid of back spasms.  Prescription drugs don't work on the pain, according to her husband Robert.