Pubdate: Tue, 17 Aug 2010
Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Traverse City Record-Eagle
Contact: http://www.record-eagle.com/opinion/local_story_128175513.html
Website: http://www.record-eagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1336
Author: Art Bukowski
Cited: Traverse City City Commission 
http://www.ci.traverse-city.mi.us/City_Commission/
Referenced: Michigan Medical Marijuana Act http://drugsense.org/url/8mvr7sW8
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Traverse+City

TC APPROVES MARIJUANA REGULATIONS

New Ordinance Could Be Changed If Problems Come Up in the Future

TRAVERSE CITY - New regulations that dictate when and where city 
residents can grow and distribute medical marijuana could be changed 
if problems arise.

City commissioners on Monday gave final approval to a new ordinance 
that regulates land-use issues tied to the Michigan Medical Marijuana 
Act. It takes effect Aug. 26.

The ordinance allows for cultivation of up to 72 marijuana plants in 
single-family homes, and that concerns those who believe such 
activity could degrade the city's residential neighborhoods. But 
commissioners weren't ready to rule out residential growth.

"This law is not set in concrete," Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Soffredine 
said. "We can bring it back to the table, and we can tweak it and do 
what we want to do with it. But we need to give it a chance."

The Michigan Medical Marijuana act, approved in 2008, allows patients 
to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12 plants. It also 
allows designated caregivers to grow and distribute plants to up to 
five patients.

But the act doesn't specify where or when patients and caregivers can 
grow or exchange marijuana, so municipalities across the state were 
left to decide for themselves.

The new ordinance doesn't affect the amount of plants a patient can 
have under state law, or the number of plants a caregiver can grow or 
distribute.

It instead specifies where legal marijuana-related activity can occur 
within city limits.

City resident Julia Wagner told commissioners she's uncomfortable 
with marijuana growth in residential districts.

She voted in favor of medical marijuana, but assumed it would be 
closely regulated and available only at pharmacies.

"I had no idea that this could invade my neighborhood," she said.

Her view was shared by Adrienne Rossi, a Central Neighborhood 
resident who called marijuana growth "extremely unhealthy for our 
residential neighborhoods."

Pro-medical marijuana activists countered that residential growth 
allows patients easier and safer access to the drug.

Current residential growth hasn't led to significant problems, they 
said, and the city could expose itself to potential litigation if it 
tries to prevent residents from exercising a right afforded under state law.

The ordinance allows for cultivation in excess of 72 plants in 
industrial districts, provided the cultivation facility owner obtains 
a license from the city.

It also allows for medical marijuana "collectives" in most commercial 
districts of the city.

Any medical marijuana that fits within the confines of the Medical 
Marijuana Act can change hands in such collectives, but growing isn't 
allowed there. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake