Pubdate: Thu, 17 Feb 2011
Source: Leader & Kalkaskian (MI)
Copyright: 2011 Morning Star Publishing, a Journal Register Property
Contact:  http://www.morningstarpublishing.com/leader_and_kalkaskian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5238
Author: Sheri McWhirter, Staff Writer

MEDICAL POT SHOP SNUFFED FOR NOW

Village Adopts 6-Month Moratorium

KALKASKA - No medical marijuana dispensaries or collectives may open 
in Kalkaska for at least six months.

The Kalkaska Village Council on Monday voted to establish a 
moratorium on the sale or dispensation of medical marijuana, a move 
prompted by a local man's proposal to open a collective inside the 
village. Jeffrey Saco attended the meeting to answer village 
trustees' questions about his proposed business.

"I think it's important for us to adopt this 180-day moratorium 
because we don't know enough about it," said Trustee Marilyn Larsen.

Trustee David Heymes said he, too, wants to learn more about how 
other communities are handling the state's medical marijuana law.

One stumbling block is how the voter-approved state law doesn't 
address dispensaries, just patients and growers, or caregivers. It's 
largely been up to municipalities to set rules for the dispensation 
of the drug.

"This would get away from people growing in residential neighborhoods 
and I know that's been a concern," said Saco, 24, of Williamsburg.

Traverse City currently has about eight medical marijuana 
dispensaries or collectives, with more expected by year's end. 
Cadillac also has a dispensary and Kalkaska is missing out on the 
financial opportunity, Saco argued.

"I think it would be good for people in this town. There are people 
here with (medical marijuana) cards and they currently drive to 
Traverse City or Cadillac, if they don't grow their own," Saco said.

Rapid River Township resident Mike Bingham spoke at the meeting and 
encouraged the trustees not to adopt a moratorium. He founded the 
Northern Michigan Caregiver Alliance and currently grows medical 
marijuana for three registered patients.

"I think the 180-day moratorium is a stalling technique that will be 
harmful in the end," Bingham said.

Trustee Lyle Blanksvard balked at the suggestion that village 
officials wanted to "drag this out."

"We have to have all the facts," Blanksvard said.

Bingham later said he believes medical marijuana dispensaries or 
collectives should be allowed and encouraged, but regulated.

"I don't think dispensaries should be allowed to run wild," Bingham said.

Kalkaska Police Sgt. Glenn Artress said record-keeping is a concern 
until the village can establish stipulations for patients and caregivers.

Saco said he intends to operate his business as a collective with 
five patients for each caregiver, in accordance with state law.

"I understand you want to learn more about it and educate 
yourselves," Saco said.

Saco even suggested the village could put a local tax on the sale or 
dispensation of medical marijuana, as other communities have done.

The moratorium will allow officials time to investigate the state law 
and decide how to handle Saco's request and any others that come along.

Meanwhile, Kalkaska County officials began to look into a medical 
marijuana ordinance, as well.

County planning commissioners are set to hear a report about the 
state's medical marijuana law and how it applies to local 
dispensaries, collectives and growing operations.

"It's still in committee. There will be a report coming out of 
committee," said Louis Walter Jr., the planning commission's current 
chairman. "I've been working with the prosecutor on this and law 
enforcement to find out what the law is."

Kalkaska County Zoning Administrator Karen Van Horn said a 
professional planner recommends county officials wait to adopt 
medical marijuana restrictions.

"There are so many wrinkles in the medical marijuana law, it's bound 
to change," she said.

Additionally, Rapid River Township officials received an inquiry 
about a medical marijuana grower's conference along US-131, north of 
Kalkaska. But it's still "early in the discussion about that," said 
John Rogers, township supervisor.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake