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The Jackson City Council's City Affairs Committee will meet again next week to discuss a recommendation regarding a proposed medical marijuana ordinance after asking for more clarification on the issue Tuesday afternoon.
The proposed ordinance has ignited debate among caregivers and city officials, as caregivers have called for clearer boundaries for the proposed ordinance.
A state law passed in 2008 allows people to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Committee members were concerned with the interpretation of various sections of the proposed ordinance, including regulations that deal with proper distribution of excess medical marijuana and restrictions surrounding home usage and growing.
The group is expected to vote next Tuesday on one of two versions of the ordinance to recommend to the city council.
One version would allow qualifying patients and primary caregivers to use and grow marijuana only at their homes, while another would allow growth at certain non-dwelling locations in commercial and industrial business districts.
The patient and caregiver would have to be registered with the Michigan Department of Community Health to grow marijuana, according to the ordinance.
Restricting usage and growth to homes would reduce the burden on the city's police force, Councilmember Laura D. Schlecte said.
Less ground to cover in terms of enforcement translates into more dollars saved for the city and more time to deal with pressing issues, she said after the meeting.
"It would keep them focused on more severe crimes," she said.
Roger Maufort, the director of the Jackson County Compassion Club, a local medical marijuana patient advocacy group, said at the meeting he remains concerned with protections for patients who use the drug in their home.
Maufort said he knows a patient who was evicted from a home for excessive use of medical marijuana.
Jackson has put a moratorium on medical marijuana operations during drafting of the proposed ordinance.
The moratorium expires Aug. 11.
To extend the ordinance, the moratorium must go through two public hearings, one each with the city council and the planning commission.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Beau Harhoe
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Website: Proposed medical marijuana ordinance recommendation put off by committee | MLive.com
The proposed ordinance has ignited debate among caregivers and city officials, as caregivers have called for clearer boundaries for the proposed ordinance.
A state law passed in 2008 allows people to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Committee members were concerned with the interpretation of various sections of the proposed ordinance, including regulations that deal with proper distribution of excess medical marijuana and restrictions surrounding home usage and growing.
The group is expected to vote next Tuesday on one of two versions of the ordinance to recommend to the city council.
One version would allow qualifying patients and primary caregivers to use and grow marijuana only at their homes, while another would allow growth at certain non-dwelling locations in commercial and industrial business districts.
The patient and caregiver would have to be registered with the Michigan Department of Community Health to grow marijuana, according to the ordinance.
Restricting usage and growth to homes would reduce the burden on the city's police force, Councilmember Laura D. Schlecte said.
Less ground to cover in terms of enforcement translates into more dollars saved for the city and more time to deal with pressing issues, she said after the meeting.
"It would keep them focused on more severe crimes," she said.
Roger Maufort, the director of the Jackson County Compassion Club, a local medical marijuana patient advocacy group, said at the meeting he remains concerned with protections for patients who use the drug in their home.
Maufort said he knows a patient who was evicted from a home for excessive use of medical marijuana.
Jackson has put a moratorium on medical marijuana operations during drafting of the proposed ordinance.
The moratorium expires Aug. 11.
To extend the ordinance, the moratorium must go through two public hearings, one each with the city council and the planning commission.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Beau Harhoe
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Website: Proposed medical marijuana ordinance recommendation put off by committee | MLive.com
