Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jul 2012
Source: Spinal Column Newsweekly (Union Lake, MI)
Copyright: 2012 Linear Publishing
Contact:  http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4425
Author: Michael Shelton

WB BOARD SPLITS ON DRAFTING OF NEW MEDICAL POT RULES

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted 4-3 last week to
approve the drafting of an ordinance amendment banning the dispensing
and sale of medical marijuana in retail, business and commercial
establishments in the township.

This action came before the board approved the introduction of an
extension to the township's moratorium on medical marijuana facilities
through Aug. 31, 2013.

The next township board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20, when the
moratorium extension is expected to come up for final adoption.

Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste, Treasurer Teri
Weingarden, and Trustees Larry Brown and Steve Kaplan voted in favor
of drafting the ordinance amendment. Trustees Howard Rosenberg and
Gene Farber and Clerk Catherine Shaughnessy voted against it.

"There were four other attempts previously to try to ban medical
marijuana from our storefronts, but they failed," Ureste said.

Both Ureste and Kaplan have been adamant about having medical
marijuana distribution in the township restricted to licensed
caregivers in their homes, and away from township storefronts.

However, Brown voted in favor of drafting an ordinance amendment after
voting against it previously, saying that legal opinions are leaning
toward restricting medical marijuana production and distribution to
home caregivers.

"I'd like to restrict distribution to what the state allows and we
have to look at what the federal government allows because federal
laws do differ," Brown said. "The state of Michigan also has to
clarify what they want to do."

Regarding his decision to vote against drafting an ordinance
amendment, Farber said "I still feel that the courts and (state)
Legislature are working on this issue and the moratorium accomplishes
what we need."

On Aug. 23, 2010, the board first approved a moratorium on medical
marijuana until Dec. 31, 2010. The moratorium has been extended four
times since then.

Michigan voters overwhelmingly authorized -- by a 2-1 margin -- the
use of medical marijuana by patients with certain debilitating
diseases and conditions during the 2008 general election. Since then,
Michigan courts have ruled that retail dispensaries are not authorized
by the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, which was enacted following the
2008 election.
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