Pubdate: Mon, 20 Jun 2011
Source: Michigan Daily (U of MI, Edu)
Copyright: 2011 The Michigan Daily
Contact: http://www.michigandaily.com/letters/
Website: http://www.michigandaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/582
Author: Anna Rozenberg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries

IN 8-2 VOTE, MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCES APPROVED

Ann Arbor City Council passed two amended ordinances at their meeting 
tonight regarding the regulation of zoning and licensing of medical 
marijuana dispensaries in the city, following over three months of 
deliberation and multiple revisions.

The ordinances passed in an 8-2 vote, and specifically set zoning 
boundaries and licensing guidelines that establish a maximum of 20 
merchants to be allowed to sell medical marijuana in the first year, 
and call for an administrative board to be developed to grant further 
licenses in subsequent years. Additionally, three minor amendments to 
the ordinance were decided on at the meeting prior to the vote -- 
including removal of a clause that required that all products to bare 
prices labels.

Before the vote, Dennis Hayes, an Ann Arbor attorney with a 
background in drug-related legalities, addressed the council and said 
that while he foresees the ordinance causing discord in the future, 
he is glad to see it finally passed.

"I believe that this is an area that will be in litigation, 
discussion, argument, fighting and disagreement for some time to 
come," Hayes said. "I think it's time to move forward, we've worked 
hard on this."

At the meeting, there was extensive debate as to whether to grant an 
additional 30-day postponement on the vote. Democratic Mayor John 
Hieftje was a proponent of the extension, and said that while he 
planned to ultimately vote in favor of the amendment, he feared that 
the ordinance would eventually end up "right back in (councilmember's) laps."

"I'm not going to vote against this but I think it would be silly to 
vote on it tonight," Hieftje said at the meeting.

Advocates of postponing the vote further said it would allow for 
additional amendments to be made which could potentially strengthen 
the ordinance, while opponents said delaying the vote could mean it 
would follow an upcoming deliberation within the state legislature 
regarding medical marijuana related issues in Michigan that could 
potentially alter the technicalities of the city's ordinance in its 
current form.

City Council member Mike Anglin (D--Ward 5) echoed Hieftje's 
sentiment, saying he felt it was too soon to vote on the ordinance 
and that he was concerned about the "black market" for marijuana 
occurring in Ann Arbor.

Unlike Hieftje and Anglin, councilmember Sandi Smith (D--Ward 1) 
pushed for a decision to be made, arguing that future amendments can 
still be made on the ordinance if needed.

"If we need to make adjustments later on we can do so, or the 
dispensaries can make adjustments so they're in compliance," Smith said.

Similarly, councilmember Sabra Briere (D--Ward 1) said she was ready 
for the council to vote on the ordinance, and proceeded to propose 
the three amendments that passed tonight. The final vote followed 
shortly after.

"Throughout this entire process it's been eye opening to see what 
could happen and what has happened," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom