Although voters approved the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act nearly six years ago and in many areas residents are able to seek treatments in compliance with the law, some legal concerns still remain. One area of concern is for medical marijuana dispensaries, which authorities have said are not addressed in the law. Jamie Lowell, the director of the 3rd Coast Compassion Center in Ypsilanti, said he feels the language of the state law is pretty clear, but it depends on who is looking at it. [continues 1477 words]
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - Marijuana dispensaries and grow centers will not be allowed in the city according to a new ordinance, which will still allow registered patients and caregivers to use it for medicinal purposes under state law. City Council unanimously approved the zoning ordinance amendment Tuesday following its second reading. The ordinance will go into effect upon publication. It prohibits land use contrary to federal, state and local laws. Corporation Counsel Gary Miotke said the ordinance as its written is not designed specifically for [continues 534 words]
City, Planning Commission Disagree DEARBORN HEIGHTS - A new version of the medical marijuana zoning ordinance - banning stores providing it - passed its first reading on Dec. 14, and will be up for the second reading and adoption on Jan. 11. The version of the zoning ordinance amendment approved by the Planning Commission had already gone through a first reading, and would've allowed medical marijuana dispensaries and manufacturing facilities in commercial and industrial zoning respectively. City Council then directed the current version be drafted, which prohibits land use contrary to federal, state and local laws. [continues 473 words]
FLAT ROCK - Medical marijuana dispensaries are now prohibited in the city. On Monday, the City Council unanimously adopted a zoning ordinance amendment that prohibits land use contrary to federal, state and local laws. City Attorney David Grunow said the amendment went before the Planning Commission and had a public hearing before coming back to the council. He was directed to draft the amendment. "The intent of the proposed ordinance is to avoid the establishment of dispensarylike businesses for marijuana," Grunow said in a letter to the council. "Though such dispensaries do not appear to be authorized under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, the status of the law on this issue is in flux." [continues 61 words]
DEARBORN HEIGHTS --Whether medical marijuana dispensaries and manufacturing facilities should be allowed into the city, or whether ordinance, should be like Livonia's and not allow them was one decision City Council discussed Tuesday. Currently, the city has a moratorium on medical marijuana that has been extended for four months. It was created to give council time to adopt ordinance dealing with the changes in state law. Attorney Mark Roberts said the ordinance presently before council was created to regulate according to state law. [continues 925 words]
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - There will be a public study session Tuesday evening on a zoning ordinance amendment that would allow medical marijuana manufacturing facilities in the city. Council Chair Ken Baron said the study session will be at 7 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers. "Everyone's welcome," Baron said. "We'll all learn something together." There will be some speakers there to explain the law pertaining to medical marijuana, he said. He said there are a lot of questions currently and this will help both council and anyone interested in attending to better understand the situation. [continues 268 words]
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - A zoning ordinance amendment that would allow medical marijuana manufacturing facilities in the city went past its first reading before City Council on Sept. 14. The ordinance amendment also deals with medical marijuana dispensaries, facilities where legally registered primary caregivers can assist qualifying patients with medical marijuana use. A medical marijuana moratorium was extended by council at the meeting. The moratorium was created to give council time to adopt ordinance dealing with the changes in state law on medical marijuana. [continues 424 words]
