Pubdate: Thu, 27 Sep 2012
Source: Voice, The (New Baltimore, MI)
Copyright: 2012 Journal Register Company
Contact:  http://www.voicenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5146
Author: Courtney Flynn

NEW BALTIMORE OFFICIALS GROW TIRED OF MARIJUANA TALKS

Once again, the New Baltimore City Council voted to extend the medical
marijuana moratorium, but this time the discussion became more
contentious.

The city has had a moratorium in place since 2009. Since then the
planning commission and council have been working to establish an
ordinance that would allow the cultivation, possession and sale of the
substance for authorized card holders.

While there seems to be a consensus on allowing the cultivation and
sale of medical marijuana in industrial zones of the city, there is a
disconnect on whether that should be extended to residential areas.
This disconnect meant another moratorium was put before council;
originally it was suggested it be extended to April 2013, but the
council supported Ken Butler's motion to only extend it to Nov. 1.

Council members Jeff Christie and Butler have been advocates for a
medical marijuana ordinance and area also championing for card holders
to have the ability to grow the plant in their own home. Both have
agreed that allowing the growth of six plants in a home for a
certified grower is more than enough.

However, council members Florence Hayman and Karl Rutledge, along with
the planning commission, feel that the door to allowing marijuana
growth should not be opened at the city level. They have cited
possible enforcement issues and property damage as reasons why they
don't support the cultivation of medical marijuana in the home.

This particular argument has been going on for several months now, and
at the Monday night meeting council members were beginning to show
their agitation with this drawn out process.

"I don't want to do this," Christie said of redrafting the ordinance
again. "You guys are dragging your feet on this and I am getting sick
of it."

Councilman John Dupray, who didn't take much of a stand either way on
the ordinance, said the matter has to be settled. He said at the next
meeting the most recent ordinance should be brought before the council
to vote on. If council isn't happy with it they can vote it down, or
vice versa.

"How can you say you have a moratorium four years in the making,"
attorney Gary Gendernalik said, adding it was the people of Michigan
who voted in favor of medical marijuana four years ago.

City Attorney Tim Tomlinson agreed the law is very vague and always
evolving.

"It sounds like this ordinance is going to be a complete waste of time
to begin with," Councilwoman Susan Burkhardt said, referencing how the
state law, which permits growth in the home, supersedes local laws.

While this is often the case, Tomlinson said it isn't always true,
which is why the city should move forward with an ordinance.

An ordinance that encompasses recent opinions made on the Medical
Marijuana Act is expected to be brought to council in October.
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