Pubdate: Mon, 06 Aug 2012 Source: News-Herald, The (Southgate, MI) Copyright: 2012 Heritage Newspapers Contact: http://www.heritagenews.com/lettertoeditor/ Website: http://www.thenewsherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4015 COMMUNITIES CAN'T HALT GROWTH OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA LANSING - Michigan communities cannot stop the cultivation or use of medicinal marijuana, the state Court of Appeals ruled last week. The three-judge panel unanimously found that an ordinance in the west Michigan city of Wyoming was at odds with state law regarding the production and use of marijuana. The Wyoming ordinance was bolstered by its claim that the federal prohibition of the drug was enough to justify it. The appeals court said state and federal law do not conflict because the measure voters approved in 2008 regarding medicinal marijuana acknowledges the federal ban while setting strict exemptions for its use. John Ter Beek, who has diabetes and a neurological disorder, feared he would be arrested if he grew and/or used marijuana. He brought the suit against the city with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union. Similar challenges have been brought against other Michigan cities that enacted ordinances similar to Wyoming's. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt