Pubdate: Wed, 15 Aug 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

SIX MONTHS TACKED ON TO MEDICAL POT BAN IN MILFORD

The Milford Village Council voted Monday, Aug. 6 to approve an
extension of the village's moratorium on medical marijuana facilities,
now spanning until Jan. 7, 2013.

The council also directed that a draft ordinance regarding medical
marijuana be written for its consideration.

The moratorium forbids land being used for growing and distributing
medical marijuana, and bans allowing schools from providing training
on the cultivation, processing, and distribution of the drug.

According to Interim Village Manager Deborah Frazer, Village Attorney
Jennifer Elowsky and Planning Consultant Nick Lomako have been working
on a draft ordinance for the village, but nothing has been finalized
due to concerns that there will be more changes to the Michigan
Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA).

According to Frazer, Elowksy said that over the past several years
there have been many court rulings that either do not set legal
precedence or do not apply to municipal zoning or licensing concerns
related to medical marijuana issues.

Elowsky also recommended that the village move forward with preparing
and adopting its own laws regarding medical marijuana.

Recently, the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees approved the
drafting of an ordinance amendment banning the dispensing and sale of
medical marijuana in retail, business and commercial establishments in
the township.

Medical marijuana use was legalized for qualified patients following
authorization by Michigan voters in the November 2008 general
election. The MMMA went into effect on April 4, 2009.

The act permits physician-approved use of marijuana by patients with
debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, AIDS,
hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions as approved by
the state Department of Community Health.
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MAP posted-by: Matt