Pubdate: Tue, 22 Jul 2014
Source: West Central Tribune (Willmar, MN)
Copyright: 2014 Forum Communications Company
Contact:  http://www.wctrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/542
Author: David Little
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

RETIRED VETERINARIAN SEEKS WILLMAR'S OK FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTION LAB

WILLMAR -- The Willmar Planning Commission will hold a public hearing 
at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday to consider a conditional use permit requested 
by retired veterinarian Dr. Marshall Brinton to allow a medical 
marijuana production lab/dispensary.

Brinton has requested the permit to operate the production 
lab/dispensary in laboratory facilities he owns at 208 Lakeland Dr. S.E.

The hearing will be held in the meeting room at the Willmar Fire 
Station, 515 Second St. S.E.

City Planner Megan DeSchepper said the conditional use permit is 
required because medical marijuana production is not listed as a land 
use in any section of the city zoning ordinance.

"Whenever we have a request for something that hasn't been considered 
or isn't in the ordinance, it requires a conditional use permit," 
DeSchepper said.

Brinton, of Spicer, had operated a veterinary vaccine company in 
Willmar beginning in 1987 and produced vaccines for the commercial 
poultry industry (ducks, turkeys and geese). He was licensed in eight 
states, has three patents and two more pending. He retired five years ago.

Brinton, who is disabled, has had the 15,000-square-foot facility for 
sale for the past year. But he said no one is interested because the 
six different labs in the building are so specialized.

Brinton became interested in medical marijuana production after 
researching the medical marijuana law passed in May by the Minnesota 
Legislature.

"When Minnesota passed the law, I researched how to do this. But I 
discovered I've got most of the equipment in the building already," he said.

Brinton said he will not decide whether or not to move forward with 
possible medical marijuana production until after the Planning 
Commission makes a decision. The permit would go to the City Council 
for final approval.

Brinton said the state application fee is $20,000.

"If the city says no, there is no point in going any further," 
Brinton said. However, he hopes the city approves the proposal and 
he'll go from there.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom