Pubdate: Wed, 08 Feb 2012
Source: Tuscola County Advertiser (Caro, MI)
Copyright: 2012 Michigan Media, a division of the Edwards Group
Contact:  http://www.tuscolatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4678
Author: Amy Joles

HEARING SET FOR MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

CARO -- On Monday, city council took action on regulating medical 
marijuana within Caro.

The council voted to set a public hearing to gain insight from the 
community on a proposed ordinance that would govern and regulate 
medical marijuana sales and dispensation. The hearing is set for 7:30 
p.m. Feb. 20.

Councilman Gordon Taggett said the city planning commission has spent 
a "tremendous amount of time," on the topic since a moratorium on the 
sale or dispensation of medical marijuana was put into place in August, 2011.

"We've done our homework," he added. "I think it's a good ordinance."

The six month moratorium will expire Feb. 20.

Caro Police Chief Brian Newcomb said that illegal medical marijuana 
dispensaries have not been a problem in the city.

"We do have people growing it in their basement," he said. "They have 
their 12 plants that they are allowed (under the Michigan Medical 
Marijuana Act), but they've got their cards and everyone we've talked 
to has no problem showing us."

Several council members pushed for action to get the ordinance to the 
public hearing stage.

"It's already happening in town so we should get it on the books," 
said Councilman Joe Greene.

Monday's discussion on the proposed ordinance is considered the first 
reading. Following the public hearing, the council may make changes 
to the ordinance based on public input.

Under the proposed policy, medical marijuana dispensaries are 
authorized to operate under very specific zoning guidelines and must 
be in compliance with the MMMA, passed by voters in 2008. 
Distribution would not be allowed within 1,000 feet of sites where 
children are present, specifically: a daycare, church, recreational 
park or school.

"Basically, it's confined to the edges of town," said Newcomb. "I 
think you will find that there are few areas of the city where it 
would be okay. It was designed to keep it out of residential areas."

The decision to send the ordinance to a public hearing was not 
unanimous. Mayor Richard Pouliot, Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Henry and 
Councilwoman Charlotte Kish voted against sending the proposed 
ordinance to a public hearing, instead favoring an extension of the moratorium.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom