Pubdate: Fri, 17 Dec 2010
Source: Leelanau Enterprise (Lake Leelanau, MI)
Copyright: 2010 Leelanau Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.leelanaunews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4863
Cited: Township Board http://mapinc.org/url/dseeOZnE
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

ELMWOOD MAY REGULATE MARIJUANA

Supported by an opinion from its attorney and prompted by an 
anonymous inquiry, the Elmwood Township Board has placed a moratorium 
on the establishment of a medical marijuana dispensary as allowed 
under a statewide referendum approved in 2008.

The six-month moratorium, approved by a 4-2 vote Monnday with 
trustees Don Gallagher and Terry Lautner opposed, will give board 
members time to consider whether Elmwood should regulate medical 
marijuana distribution though its zoning ordinance.

Gallagher and Lautner didn't need more time to reach a conclusion.

"We're not going to enforce it at the township level, that would be 
the Sheriff...we don't even need it in the zoning ordinance," said 
Lautner. "If someone wants to do it, let them do it."

While townships may not prohibit the dispensaries, they are allowed 
to limit where medical marijuana can be sold to certain zoning districts.

Some township board members, however, believe the township must make 
room in its ordinance for the distribution of medical marijuana.

"It is required by us to put it in the ordinance so it's an allowed 
use," said clerk Connie Preston. "I don't think we really need to do 
anything," disagreed Gallagher.

However, supervisor Jack Kelly said by not passing the ordinance, the 
township would be making a de facto decision to allow medical 
marijuana sales anywhere in the township that is allowed by state 
regulations. "We won't have a say in regulation," he said.

The discusion and opinion from township attorney Jim Young was 
prompted by an inquiry at the township office.

"One week ago, Elmwood township was approached by an individual 
asking whether we had any zoning regulations in effect governing the 
use and dispensing of medical marijuana," Kelly wrote in a memo to the board.

As of Monday, Elmwood has more than regulations. It has a moratorium 
- - and mixed feelings about how deeply the township should delve into 
regulating Michigan's newest cash crop.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake