Pubdate: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 Source: Voice, The (New Baltimore, MI) Copyright: 2011 Journal Register Company Contact: http://www.voicenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5146 Author: Courtney Flynn Cited: City Council http://www.cityofnewbaltimore.org/citycouncil.asp Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) NEW BALTIMORE EXTENDS MARIJUANA DISPENSARY BAN AGAIN The New Baltimore City Council extended its ban on medical marijuana dispensaries for another 90 days at the March 14 meeting. The action passed with a 4-1 vote. Councilman Jeffrey Christie was absent, and Mayor Pro Tem Ken Butler voted against it. "I've seen what cancer does to people," Butler said in response to his vote. Mayor Larry Smith said they requested the ban be extended for 90 days, as opposed to the six months which were approved in the past, because he hopes to have more direction in this shortened amount of time. The first medical marijuana dispensaries moratorium in New Baltimore commenced on March 22, 2010, and the second on Sept. 27, 2010. "The law is so confusing," Smith said. "We're just trying to figure it out." Smith said he and other city officials have been attending seminars and researching the law in hopes they will receive more guidance on what to do in the future. The state has yet to give more guidance though on the law that was enacted in November 2009, and Butler said he would like to see that change soon. Council also adopted three new ordinances. One addresses regulations needed for a fence, wall or protective barrier and another outlines regulations for wind turbines. The final ordinance approved was the snow emergency parking regulations discussed at the last meeting by New Baltimore Police Chief Tim Wiley. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake