Pubdate: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 Source: Grand Haven Tribune (MI) Copyright: 2010 Grand Haven Publishing Corp Contact: http://www.grandhaventribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4298 Author: Jordan Travis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana FERRYSBURG PLANNERS TO TAKE UP MEDICAL POT RULES TONIGHT FERRYSBURG -- A draft ordinance regulating the use and growth of medicinal marijuana will be discussed by the Ferrysburg Planning Commission at 7 tonight. Planning Commission Chairman Roger Jonas said the ordinance is intended to clarify parts of Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act of 2008, and to keep from drawing attention to licensed growers and users of the plant. Tonight's discussion is the first step in considering an ordinance that Jonas and City Manager Craig Bessinger said is similar to those in Grand Haven and Grand Haven Township. Ferrysburg planners will hold a public hearing on the ordinance next month, Jonas said. The commission will then review the ordinance and make a recommendation to the Ferrysburg City Council. The proposed ordinance would limit where caregivers could grow marijuana. Some of the requirements call for growers to use a locked main building that is inaccessible on all sides. Growers using lights would be required to assure that they are shielded so as not to disturb neighbors. The ordinance would also exclude caregiver businesses from zoning ordinance sections that cover medical and dental offices, outpatient clinics, and emergency medical centers. Registered patients would also be forbidden from smoking marijuana in an area visible to neighbors or other members of the public. The ultimate goal of the ordinance is to clarify what Jonas called an ambiguously worded amendment to the state Constitution. "We're trying to comply with the Michigan law, which can be somewhat confusing at times," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake