LANSING -- Supporters of marijuana decriminalization proposals passed in five Michigan cities say the move is a symbolic step toward better regulation, but residents still might want to wait before lighting up, according to law enforcement officials. Ballot proposals expanding legal marijuana use beyond current state and federal laws earned voter approval by wide margins Nov. 6 in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti. Voters in Detroit and Flint supported decriminalization of less than one ounce of marijuana for those older than 21 and 19, respectively. [continues 523 words]
After a court decision to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan last fall, those involved with medical marijuana, city officials and others continue to wonder what's next. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled commercial marijuana sales illegal Aug. 24, 2011, rendering the practice of dispensaries in Michigan unlawful. Medical marijuana still is legal in the state, but patients are required to get medical marijuana directly from their caregivers or grow it themselves because of the ruling. No dispensaries ever were established in East Lansing -- only one application for a medical marijuana dispensary was received before the ruling, and it was denied by both the East Lansing Planning Commission and the East Lansing City Council. [continues 466 words]
Though the East Lansing City Council spent nearly a year working toward an ordinance regulating commercial distribution of medical marijuana in the city, some believe the work should continue. Some East Lansing residents formally have requested council reconsider its vote on a recently passed ordinance, which allows for the presence of medical marijuana dispensaries in primarily office districts within the city limits, East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton said. "I don't know what will come of it, but there are people out there encouraging council to think again," Staton said. [continues 331 words]
New Ordinance Allows Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Parts of East Lansing For Ben Richards, the medical marijuana ordinance passed by the East Lansing City Council last week was more than just a routine decision. Richards, a human biology junior, said chronic back pain from a spinal fusion surgery in 2007 is the clinical reason behind his medical marijuana use. He is just one of the people who will be affected by the ordinance, which allows for medical marijuana dispensaries in certain parts of East Lansing. Now that the ordinance has passed, city officials and residents are discussing how it might be implemented. [continues 833 words]
The East Lansing City Council voted to approve an ordinance regulating commercial medical marijuana operations within the city limits at its Tuesday meeting. Passing with a 4-1 vote, council approved a medical marijuana ordinance allowing for medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within primarily office B4 zoning districts in the city. Councilmember Nathan Triplett said the ordinance is not perfect but allows for change and is the best decision for the city at this point in time. "We've arrived at a solution that is admittedly imperfect, but workable for the city of East Lansing," Triplett said. "I for one am prepared to vote on this ordinance this evening." [continues 312 words]
The East Lansing City Council listened to public opinion regarding medical marijuana distribution at its Tuesday meeting, 410 Abbot Road, and voted to postpone a decision on the matter to its March 15 meeting by issuing another 90-day moratorium. Council members officially rejected two of the proposed ordinances before council, one of which called for all medical marijuana operation to take place inside the home and another that bans commercial medical marijuana operations entirely. The other proposed ordinance before council, which would allow for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries in primarily office districts, is supported by some council members. However, there was a general consensus among council to look at the ordinance and make amendments before making any final decisions. [continues 372 words]
The East Lansing City Council is scheduled to discuss recommendations from the East Lansing Planning Commission and city staff on proposed medical marijuana ordinances in its work session tonight. Three ordinances regarding the distribution of medical marijuana are currently facing the council's consideration. The items are up for discussion at the council's 7 p.m. work session at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road. The council has been discussing the issue of medical marijuana ordinances since last summer. Council members were presented with three drafted ordinances, but deferred making a decision on which one - - if any - to adopt until February. The ordinances would regulate how and where licensed medical marijuana dispensaries could distribute their products. [continues 377 words]
