Pubdate: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 Source: Spinal Column Newsweekly (Union Lake, MI) Copyright: 2010 Linear Publishing Contact: http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4425 Author: Leslie Shepard-Owsley Cited: Wixom City Council http://www.cityofwixom.com/index.aspx?nid=319 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana WIXOM EXTENDS MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM The six-month moratorium preventing medical marijuana operations from opening up in Wixom has been extended for another six months. The Wixom City Council voted 6-0 on the measure at its Tuesday, Nov. 9 meeting, based on a recommendation by the Planning Commission. Mayor Pro Tem Richard Ziegler wasn't present at last week's meeting. An ordinance eventually may be deemed necessary to help regulate medical marijuana in the city and guide law enforcement efforts in combating any illegal drug activity. Given the complications associated with drafting an ordinance, Wixom officials say they want to defer action until the state steps in and clarifies the ambiguities under existing state law. Planning Commissioner Bill Day cited zoning, mixed uses and land uses as points of contention that have officials grappling with how to craft an ordinance. "In addition to zoning and land uses, what can people do besides buying marijuana? Will they have lava lamps or posters available to purchase to attract people for the purpose of buying marijuana? There are many issues," he said. Now that the state will be bringing in a change of leadership after the mid-term election, Day said he hopes the new Legislature will take action on the medical marijuana issue. "In part, we're holding off because there is a new administration coming on board at the state level," Day said. "We're hoping it will become a statewide issue that will give the municipalities guidance to handle the issue." "The government has a stake in this and how it should be regulated," he said. Mayor Kevin Hinkley said the city isn't unlike other municipalities that are awaiting clarification before drafting ordinances. "We're like many communities trying to investigate all facets of the medical marijuana issue and how we can and can't deal with it," Hinkley said. The moratorium will give city planners and officials time to study areas within Wixom where medical marijuana facilities might be permissible. Planning consultants and city attorneys have been tasked with researching how other cities are handling the issue. At the end of the six-month time frame, it's expected that the Planning Commission will either draft a final zoning ordinance amendment ready for City Council approval that specifically outlines areas within the city where medical marijuana can be legally grown and sold, or will determine that the issue falls under the current land use zoning ordinance. "We're hoping we have something in place before the six-month moratorium expires," Day said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake