Pubdate: Tue, 14 Feb 2012
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2012 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Charles E. Ramirez

DELAY IN TRIAL KEEPS CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP MARIJUANA CLINIC OPEN

Mount Clemens- A medical marijuana dispensary in Chesterfield 
Township can stay in business after a judge delayed the trial that 
would decide if it has violated zoning laws.

Macomb Circuit Judge John Foster also delayed a show-cause hearing to 
determine if the owners of Big Daddy's Management Group violated his 
order that lets the business stay open but limits medical marijuana sales.

The zoning violation trial was set to begin today, but Foster 
rescheduled it for Feb. 28 to give attorneys more time to prepare.

Township and state officials say the business is a public nuisance 
and located in an area that is zoned for manufacturing.

Big Daddy's owners say they are being unfairly targeted by the 
township and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

Big Daddy's owns two other stores: one on Mack between Alter Road and 
Outer Drive in Detroit and another on Dort Highway near Bristol Road in Burton.

On Monday, a hearing on contempt claims also was to be held, but 
Foster reset it to March 28.

Schuette's office requested the hearing because authorities allege an 
undercover police officer went into the business on Jan. 25 and was 
able to purchase the drug from someone there not listed on his 
medical marijuana card as required by state law.

Corbett O'Meara, a Detroit attorney who represents Big Daddy's owners 
Rick and Sue Ferris, said his clients weren't present at the time of 
the alleged incident.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom