Pubdate: Thu, 30 Aug 2012
Source: Milford Times (MI)
Copyright: 2012 Observer & Eccentric Newspapers
Contact: http://www.hometownlife.com/section/CUSTOMERSERVICE2002
Website: http://www.milfordtimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5217
Author: Aileen Wingblad

MILFORD ATTORNEY DRAFTING POT LAW FOR VILLAGE

Nearly four years after Michigan voters approved the use of marijuana 
for medical purposes, the Village of Milford is moving forward with a 
process to adopt local rules regulating its cultivation, distribution 
and other related activities.

The Milford Village Council recently directed attorney Jennifer 
Elowsky to finalize a draft ordinance that she and planning 
consultant Nick Lomako have been working on for the past several 
months. Meanwhile, the council extended by six months the moratorium 
on land uses in the village for medical marijuana activities. This 
most recent extension will run through Jan. 7, 2013.

"I have no problem extending the moratorium as long as we're working 
on it," said Terri Rusas George, village council president.

Any proposed ordinance change will be reviewed by the village 
planning commission and must be approved by the village council.

Since the medical marijuana law was enacted in November 2008, Milford 
and communities throughout the state have been challenged to address 
appropriate land uses for medical marijuana activities. State law has 
no provisions for it.

Moratoriums have been imposed in many communities while officials 
anticipate clarification of the law by the state legislature. Elowsky 
has since determined it would be better to finish work on the local 
ordinance rather than wait for changes from the state legislature, 
explained Village Clerk Deb Frazer, who is also serving as interim 
village manager.
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