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City Wants Medical Marijuana Moratorium
Pubdate: Tue, 4 Jan 2011
Source: Monroe Evening News (MI)
Copyright: 2011, The Monroe Evening News
Contact: http://www.monroenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2302
Author: Jeff Meade
Cited: City Council http://www.ci.monroe.mi.us/City_Council_1.cfm
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)
CITY WANTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM
The Monroe City Council tonight is expected to consider adopting a
six-month moratorium regarding the sale and dispensing of medical marijuana.
City Manager George Brown and the Planning and Recreation Department
are recommending an immediate 180-day moratorium to give the city
more time to review the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and develop a
policy based on that research.
An ordinance could follow.
The council meets at 7:30 tonight in city hall, 120 E. First St. The
regular meeting was pushed back a day because of the holiday.
Nearly two-thirds of Michigan voters approved a ballot proposal two
years ago that decriminalized the use of medical marijuana for those
with debilitating conditions.
Michigan communities have generally taken no action, prohibited the
use of medical marijuana based on federal law or adopted ordinances
allowing the cultivation, dispensing and use of medical marijuana
under certain conditions.
Monroe council members discussed the issue at a work session two months ago.
Interim Planning Director Jeffrey Green told the council at that time
that the act did not leave a lot of direction for communities. He
emphasized that voters did not legalize marijuana.
Grand Rapids has passed legislation allowing registered caregivers to
operate as home occupations within residential neighborhoods, but Mr.
Brown said he would prefer it be in a commercial area.
"Moving to regulate it in some fashion seems to be the proactive
approach," Mayor Robert E. Clark said at the work session. "We need
to put something in place."
Councilman Brian Beneteau noted, "Common sense is that you have
dispensaries and not have this happening in neighborhoods."
Mr. Green called the matter "a true Gordian Knot" (a metaphor for an
intractable problem solved by a bold stroke). He added, "We have had
some inquiries for (medical marijuana) businesses. I don't know that
I want a medical marijuana facility located next door to my house."
Councilman Jeremy Molenda summed up the dilemma: "This is a real drag, man."
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