Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jun 2010
Source: Sentinel-Standard (Ionia, MI)
Copyright: 2010 Liberty Group Michigan Holdings, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sentinel-standard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4730
Author: Jon Szerlag

DRUG "PROBLEM": IONIA PLANNING COMMISSION DEBATES ON  HOW TO REGULATE
MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES AND CLUBS

IONIA, Mich. - The Ionia Planning Commission discussed approaches the
city can take to handle the selling of medical  marijuana at
Wednesday's meeting.

At March's City Council meeting, the members signed a  moratorium that
offered six months for the planning  commission to discuss zoning.

During the past few months, the commission has been  gathering
information on zoning ordinances in regard to  where people will be
able to grow and dispense medical  marijuana.

"State law doesn't address the local issues, and  probably never
will," said Ionia City Manager Jason  Eppler. "The issue is if medical
marijuana businesses,  home occupations, care givers and compassion
clubs are  appropriate for us (as a city)."

The two primary approaches are completely prohibiting  the
distribution of medical marijuana within the city  limits, or
regulating it. If regulated, then the  planning commission has to
decide if they want to make  it designated to a business district, or
a home  occupation zone.

A caregiver is allowed to have up to five patients, and  12 plants per
patient equally a total of 60 plants in  one business.

If the regulations are going to be for a business  district, Ionia
Council member Gordon Kelley, made a  comment that if the business is
viable downtown, it  could be regulated like a bar.

Other regulations discussed were either allowing the  patients to
smoke inside the dispensary or not allowing  it.

"I would like to have the community come to an open  meeting, so we
can bring it out and talk about it,"  said planning commission member
Mark Jennings, who said  it would be good to hear from a patient or a
medical  marijuana business owner so they can learn the practice  from
a first-hand experience.

Cities like Livonia have prohibited dispensaries inside  of the city
limit due to it violating federal law, but  Ionia Public Safety
Department Director David Bulling  said that he has heard that they
have been getting  backlash from it.

"We are a small zone community that is surrounded by  townships that
are not zoned," said Eppler, explaining  that if it is unregulated
within the city limits, they  could still be around the area.

"This is one of those issues that people have strong  philosophical
beliefs," said Eppler. "We are not going  to hit on all of them."

The commission is going to read through information and  will try to
receive community input on the issue. The  discussion will be brought
up at the next meeting on  July 14. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D