Pubdate: Thu, 1 Jul 2010
Source: Milan News-Leader, The (MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Milan News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.heritage.com/milan_news_leader/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5162
Author: Gerald Lavaute
Cited: Milan City Council http://www.ci.milan.mi.us/admin.shtml
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries

MILAN CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA 
DISPENSARIES MONDAY

Milan City Council member Michael Armitage has proposed a one-year 
moratorium on permitting dispensaries for medical marijuana in the city.

But council member Dominic Hamden, who is an attorney, questioned at 
a June 14 council meeting whether the move is constitutional.

City attorney William Beach said the city of Livonia had forbidden 
dispensaries altogether, citing federal law.

Beach said a moratorium could be justified because of the unsettled 
nature of the current state law. Two separate amendments are being 
considered in the state Legislature, Beach said.

Council member Joe Chapin wants to figure out a way to impose a city 
tax on potential dispensary businesses in Milan, if and when they become legal.

"We need to figure out a way to tax this business," Chapin said. 
"That's why the state did it."

Chapin said there were already a dozen cards belonging to city 
residents permitting them to grow small amounts of medical marijuana.

"It's all online," he said.

There was further discussion on the potential to tax the sale of 
medical marijuana. Beach said a local government may tax only what 
the state permits it to tax, including medical marijuana.

Beach agreed to make a presentation on the medical marijuana issue at 
the next City Council meeting on Monday. The discussion is planned 
for 6:30 p.m. at a work-study session.

"My goal is to be able to regulate this," Armitage said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake