Pubdate: Sat, 17 Mar 2012
Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2012 Lansing State Journal
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/qbTWpGoq
Website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/232
Author: Will Kangas

PLANNING COMMISSION FINISHES ORDINANCE ON MARIJUANA

MASON - The Mason Planning Commission forwarded an ordinance change 
to the city council that it has worked on since 2010.

The ordinance prohibits a business from the sale or distribution of 
marijuana for medical use in the city of Mason. It was approved by 
the planning commission at its March 13 meeting and will now go to 
the Mason City Council on March 19.

Mason Zoning and Development Manager David Haywood said the public 
hearing on March 13 yielded no comments from the public on the issue, 
which started back when the city placed a moratorium on any new 
business of that nature.

"We've done an extensive study on this,' Haywood said. "We've looked 
at other municipalities and what they have done, as well as all of 
the litigation since it was enacted."

Michigan voters approved the use of medical marijuana after a vote in 
2008. Since then various businesses have started to manufacture and 
sell the product all over the state and local municipalities have 
grappled with how to regulate it.

Haywood said in the end, the commission decided to go with the 
understanding that because marijuana is considered illegal through 
federal law, the ordinance will not allow these businesses to locate in Mason.

"We still respect the rights of use and medical caregivers," Haywood 
said. "Which was approved by voters. We've decided to go with federal 
law on the distribution issue however."

The planning commission was also given a presentation on the plans 
for the stage at Rayner Park. Construction is slated to being in 
April for the stage, which will have electrical access and will be 
used at the park for special events.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom