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.
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