Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2012
Source: Daily Press, The (Escanaba, MI)
Copyright: 2012 The Daily Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/32q45vxx
Website: http://www.dailypress.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3443
Author: Jenny Lancour

CITY WANTS LIST OF POT GROWERS

ESCANABA - Concerns regarding the state's medical marijuana act has 
prompted Escanaba to develop a resolution addressing local issues 
with the state legislation, council decided at its meeting Thursday.

Discussion of the law was an agenda item addressed by Mayor Pro Tem 
Brady Nelson who has encouraged area municipalities to join the 
bandwagon in voicing concerns on the legislation enacted in 2008.

Prior to the council meeting, representatives from the Upper 
Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team, also known as UPSET, gave a 
presentation on drug abuse in the U.P. that was broadcast during the 
Manager's Call session.

Former UPSET Commander Lt. George Sailer of the Michigan State Police 
spoke about several drugs being used and abused in the area including 
marijuana.

Because of the medical marijuana legislation, eligible patients and 
caregivers are allowed by law to grow pot plants for specific medical 
conditions, said Sailer. Requirements to receive a medical marijuana 
card include a doctor's prescription, an application filed through a 
state agency, and a fee.

Each eligible patient can grow up to 12 plants at a time. Caregivers 
can grow 12 plants for each patient and have up to five patients. If 
caregivers are patients themselves, they can grow the allowed 12 
plants for themselves in addition to the plants for patients, explained Sailer.

Sailer said one issue with the medical marijuana law is that police 
do not have access to the names of people who have cards allowing 
them to grow marijuana.

The state does not give out the names because of patient 
confidentiality and medical privacy rules, he said.

Sailer also said another concern is there are no inspections of 
marijuana grows once a person becomes eligible to grow pot.

"It's a vague law with very little direction," he said.

In addition, the state is four months behind in issuing medical 
marijuana cards, said Sailer. Anyone who applies and is not denied a 
card within 20 days, is considered eligible for a card, he explained.

Escanaba Public Safety Director Ken Vanderlinden told council he is 
concerned about the safety of officers and the public because of the 
marijuana grows. Breaking and entering incidents have occurred at 
legal growing operations. Officers also do not know if pot grows are 
legal or illegal because they have no way of finding out before a 
drug bust is made.

"Officer safety is a serious concern of mine," Vanderlinden said, 
stating how officers have access to holders of concealed weapons 
permits but not medical marijuana cards.

Nelson said he would like the city to look at developing a local 
ordinance to not be able to grow marijuana in the community. He added 
this is not an option right now because of appeals pending in the 
Michigan Supreme Court. Downstate Wyoming, which instated a local 
ordinance banning marijuana grows, is appealing a ruling against that 
city, he said.

Nelson recommends individuals contact their state representatives, 
including the governor's office, to allow local control on marijuana 
grows and to provide law enforcement with a list of who can legally 
grow marijuana here.

"We've got to do something," Nelson said. "We're not in the position 
to outlaw marijuana but we're in a position to control the problem in 
our community... We need to clean up our community. We need to take 
pride in our community."

Nelson asked that a resolution be developed to consider at the next 
council meeting.

Vanderlinden suggested the resolution should state the law's affects 
on the community and specify what needs to be changed in the legislation.

In other business, council formed a subcommittee to look into 
concerns about recent increased ordinance enforcement of campers and 
trailers parked on city streets and boulevards.

Council approved the sale of a lot in the Whitetail Industrial Park 
for $22,120 to SGT'S Recycling Inc. to construct a recycling 
collection facility. (See related story.)

Council approved 2012-13 service agreements with the William Bonifas 
Fine Arts Center for $5,000 from the city and with the Delta County 
Historical Society for $2,000 from the city, as budgeted.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom