FOREST TWP., Michigan -- At a time when some cities and townships are going to war with marijuana dispensaries, the smallest township in Genesee County is taking a laissez-faire approach to cannabis commerce. "My oath of office requires I uphold the laws of Forest Township and the state of Michigan," said township Supervisor Valerie Pace. "The voters approved (the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act in 2008). I'm not spending township dollars trying to fight it." Owner Tony Butler opened The Green Oasis on North State Road Monday, vowing to be a good neighbor in the rural area, in part by helping to take marijuana out of the shadows and using it as the basis of a legitimate business. He's one of at least six such operations that are up and running in the county. [continues 481 words]
FOREST TWP., Michigan -- Genesee County's smallest township became the newest place to buy medical marijuana today, and unlike the fights other dispensaries have found in bigger cities and townships, this one opened without a threat or legal scrap. Tony Butler opened The Green Oasis, 10001 N. State Road, after more than a year making sure his business was properly licensed and that the township was well aware of what he was planning to do in a former donut shop. After answering lots of questions and working hard getting his storefront ready, Butler's first customer was in the door by mid-morning. [continues 154 words]
Mass Transportation Authority drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol will no longer automatically lose their jobs. MTA has dumped its zero-tolerance policy, a one-strike-and-you're-out rule that hasn't held up when challenged by union employee grievances. Instead, the agency will use a more gradual discipline process. The MTA adopted the old policy in March 1990 when such measures became popular nationwide after at least 133 people were injured in a New York subway train crash. The train operator was found legally drunk 13 hours after the incident. [continues 413 words]
