KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP -- A public hearing on extending a moratorium on medical marijuana operations in Kalamazoo Township has been scheduled for April 11. Medical marijuanaFile PhotoA budding marijuana plant The Township Board voted unanimously Monday to accept for first reading a 60-day extension of the moratorium in order to give the township attorney and a committee more time to consider alternatives to rules governing use, possession and sale of marijuana for medical uses as allowed under state law. A moratorium first adopted in October is due to expire April 18, but the extension would take it through June 17. [continues 121 words]
KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP - Kalamazoo Township's proposed medical marijuana ordinance will go back to the drawing board for some tweaking for at least a couple more months. The township board on Monday unanimously agreed to Supervisor Terri Mellinger's suggestion that the controversial ordinance be reviewed further for 60 days. The board could have adopted it Monday night after the hearing and second reading. The action followed a public hearing Monday night. The board also heard comments during a first reading last month as well as during a hearing in October. [continues 619 words]
KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP -- It was just the first reading for a proposed local medical marijuana ordinance Monday night, but the Kalamazoo Township Board of Trustees was warned it may face legal problems in the near future. Joe Cain, chief executive officer of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, told board members, "This ordinance is so far out it's going to get attention." Noting the township, like so many other local municipalities, is grappling with financial problems, he added, "You pass this medical marijuana ordinance and you're going to need more money... It's going to happen. The question is, do you want to be part of the legal process?" [continues 597 words]
KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP - An ordinance spelling out rules for use and sale of medical marijuana in Kalamazoo Township will be brought before the Township Board on Feb. 28 for first reading. Trustee Mark Miller, who is the board's representative on the township Planning Commission, said a special committee, working with township attorney Kenneth Sparks, has come up with a proposed ordinance and the Planning Commission is recommending it for adoption. The board will accept the proposed measure for first reading Feb. 28 and schedule a public hearing, after which it will be adopted, rejected or sent back to the Planning Commission for revisions. [continues 242 words]
As medical marijuana dispensaries and medical marijuana cultivation businesses continue to apply for permits with the city a whole bevy of issues has arisen, not the least of which is privacy. While Coloradans voted to approve the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes in 2000, the drug is still illegal under federal regulations and the gray areas surrounding operating a dispensary are abundant. According to the city's cultivation, growing and processing by licensees ordinance, "to the extent permitted by law, the City shall keep confidential the location of all cultivation facilities." [continues 776 words]
It sure doesn't take long for the potheads to complain when anyone criticizes their beloved weed. Well, let me inject some reality into the debate. After working in high schools for over 20 years, I can state without hesitation that students who are daily, chronic smokers of pot almost always begin a pattern of non-attendance as their use progresses, show a steady decline in their marks over a full range of subjects and usually end up dropping out of school altogether. [continues 83 words]
The Sun has been printing a number of letters advocating decriminalization of marijuana. It's astounding that there has been no challenge to some of the false statements and assumptions contained in those letters. I have worked for over a decade as a substance abuse counsellor and I can tell you that marijuana is anything but harmless. It's a drug (just like alcohol) which alters brain processes and also impairs motor co-ordination and normal intellectual functioning. Regular use leads to powerful psychological addiction and physical tolerance (where more and more of the substance is needed to achieve the desired high). And if that isn't enough, it is even more damaging to the lungs than regular cigarettes (where are all the holier-than-thou non-smokers on this issue?). The sad truth is, for regular, chronic users it becomes a convenient way to avoid dealing with life by spending most of their day getting high. Safe and harmless? Hardly. David Taylor-Young Winnipeg (Seems a growing number of Canadians accept pot as the sin of choice for some, as Crown Royal is for others. Your cautionary words are therefore right on the mark.) [end]
SUN MEDIA'S series on marijuana was completely one-sided and biased. I saw virtually nothing about the harmful health effects of marijuana, and not a word about the fact it is a powerful, psychologically addictive drug which has extremely debilitating effects on chronic smokers. This is hardly what I call objective reporting. How about another series on the same subject which looks at some of the real and damaging consequences of regular, long-term smoking? I dare you. David Taylor-Young (Funny, the pro-pot crowd thought our series was too supportive of the status quo.) [end]
Your series on marijuana was completely one-sided and biased. I saw virtually nothing about the harmful health effects of marijuana, and not a word about the fact it is a powerful, psychologically addictive drug which has extremely debilitating effects on chronic smokers. This is hardly what I call objective reporting. How about another series on the same subject which looks at some of the real and damaging consequences (physical, psychological and social) of regular, long-term smoking? I dare you. David Taylor-Young, Winnipeg (Oh, piffle, man. Our series was well-balanced.) [end]
Columnist Nat Hentoff's description of the events that occurred at Windsor Forest High School and the intimidation of the teacher,Sherry Hearn, is terrifying["Teacher upholds Constitution,"Opinion,April 12]. It reminded me of the Stalinist and Nazi tactics of the past. But to have this happen in a high school in the United States shows the utter disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution by the police and the school district. The only thing these fascists did not do to this brave teacher was send her to a "re-education camp." David Young, Irvine [end]
The only solution to the drug problem is to legalize marijuana and decriminalize heroin and cocaine (Owen plans battle against drug abuse, Dec. 7). None of the "four pillars" concept promoted by Mayor Philip Owen and other Canadian mayors will make any serious or practical dent on the issue. Certainly prevention and treatment for thoses addicts who wish or need it should always be available, as it is for alcoholics. Deporting Hondurans and adding police to the streets are just the usual feel-good notions put forward by politicians without the guts to make any serious societal changes. [continues 133 words]
