MedicalNeed
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While Michigan voters approved marijuana use as medicine in 2008, its sale and use continues to generate controversy in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and surrounding communities.
"The only thing medical marijuana hurts is a patient's waistline," said Eugene "Bill" Runco, founder of the Marijuana for Life Foundation in Dearborn Heights.
He's referring to marijuana's use as an appetite stimulant for patients who have experienced significant weight loss, although its reputation as a "gateway drug" is far more prevalent.
"That's one of the myths we're trying to fight," said Runco, a relative of former 19th District Chief Judge William "Bill" Runco.
"Unfortunately, there's still a lot of stigma surrounding medical marijuana, even though 63 percent of people voted for it in 2008."
In order to use medicinal marijuana in compliance with Michigan law, patients must have a debilitating medical condition, and their marijuana use must be related to that condition.
In order to ensure that their condition is covered, patients must apply for a medicinal marijuana registry identification card with the Michigan Department of Community Health.
"Everyone needs to follow the basic guidelines," Runco said. "If you can't understand that, then you went to the wrong school."
According to the state, there have been about 53,400 applications from patients requesting the use of marijuana since 2009 and about 26,400 were approved.
Businesses to support those people are looking for cities where they can set up facilities to handle the marijuana.
"It's not easy," said Runco. The Dearborn Heights resident sought to open a medicinal marijuana center last year on Ford Road in Garden City but was turned down because his clinic and counseling center didn't meet zoning requirements for the city's business district.
While he's managed to reach an agreement with the city since then, Runco says he faced similar obstacles when he attempted to open a medical office building in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.
"Dearborn actually passed an ordinance to deal with it," Runco said. The ordinance prohibits the licensing of any business that is in violation of local, state or federal laws. While possession of medical marijuana might be legal in Michigan, it still violates federal law.
Runco's had better luck in Dearborn Heights, where he's been working with city officials to establish a new ordinance that would allow businesses like his to operate in the city.
"We're getting it done," he said. City officials did not return phone calls seeking comment prior to the Press & Guide's deadline.
Dearborn Heights Chief of Police Lee Gavin said he doesn't have a problem with businesses that provide medical marijuana, provided they do it legally.
"I think that's what it comes down to," he said.
Michigan law provides that qualifying patients receive a state-issued identification card that allows them to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at one time and sets up a "caregiver" status that allows people to care of up to five patients by growing as many as 12 plants per patient.
"It's a legal tightrope," said Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad. "When people apply for a license, they're considered licensed until that request is denied."
Given how difficult it can be to enforce the law, many municipalities across Michigan are looking into developing a unified ordinance regarding medical marijuana.
Lincoln Park Mayor Frank Vaslo asked the Downriver Community Conference (DCC) —both Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are members —staff to survey member communities about medical marijuana ordinances. He would like to see communities unify a plan to deal with the issue.
Vaslo said he's had requests for warehouses in his city and he'd like an ordinance to address the zoning issues, but he doesn't have a model to base it on.
"There is a big divergence on what each community is doing," Vaslo said.
Several cities Downriver already have drafted their own ordinances.
Melvindale, Trenton, Southgate and Wyandotte recently revised ordinances to accommodate and restrict marijuana distribution facilities.
Southgate's ordinance, for example, prohibits a "medical marijuana facility" within 500 feet of a house of worship, public or private educational facilities, a boundary of a residential district, or a public recreational area or library.
Wyandotte's amended zoning ordinance does not actually address marijuana, but instead prohibits the licensing of any business that is in violation of local, state or federal laws.
Runco said he would support a similar ordinance, as he believes the sale of medical marijuana should be treated like a business.
"If you don't follow the law, you shouldn't be in the business," he said.
Heritage Newspapers Staff Writer Rene Cizio contributed to this report.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Press and Guide
Author: Sean Delaney
Contact: Press and Guide
Copyright: 2010 PressandGuide.com
Website:Cities wrestling with voter-approved medical marijuana - News - Press and Guide
"The only thing medical marijuana hurts is a patient's waistline," said Eugene "Bill" Runco, founder of the Marijuana for Life Foundation in Dearborn Heights.
He's referring to marijuana's use as an appetite stimulant for patients who have experienced significant weight loss, although its reputation as a "gateway drug" is far more prevalent.
"That's one of the myths we're trying to fight," said Runco, a relative of former 19th District Chief Judge William "Bill" Runco.
"Unfortunately, there's still a lot of stigma surrounding medical marijuana, even though 63 percent of people voted for it in 2008."
In order to use medicinal marijuana in compliance with Michigan law, patients must have a debilitating medical condition, and their marijuana use must be related to that condition.
In order to ensure that their condition is covered, patients must apply for a medicinal marijuana registry identification card with the Michigan Department of Community Health.
"Everyone needs to follow the basic guidelines," Runco said. "If you can't understand that, then you went to the wrong school."
According to the state, there have been about 53,400 applications from patients requesting the use of marijuana since 2009 and about 26,400 were approved.
Businesses to support those people are looking for cities where they can set up facilities to handle the marijuana.
"It's not easy," said Runco. The Dearborn Heights resident sought to open a medicinal marijuana center last year on Ford Road in Garden City but was turned down because his clinic and counseling center didn't meet zoning requirements for the city's business district.
While he's managed to reach an agreement with the city since then, Runco says he faced similar obstacles when he attempted to open a medical office building in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.
"Dearborn actually passed an ordinance to deal with it," Runco said. The ordinance prohibits the licensing of any business that is in violation of local, state or federal laws. While possession of medical marijuana might be legal in Michigan, it still violates federal law.
Runco's had better luck in Dearborn Heights, where he's been working with city officials to establish a new ordinance that would allow businesses like his to operate in the city.
"We're getting it done," he said. City officials did not return phone calls seeking comment prior to the Press & Guide's deadline.
Dearborn Heights Chief of Police Lee Gavin said he doesn't have a problem with businesses that provide medical marijuana, provided they do it legally.
"I think that's what it comes down to," he said.
Michigan law provides that qualifying patients receive a state-issued identification card that allows them to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at one time and sets up a "caregiver" status that allows people to care of up to five patients by growing as many as 12 plants per patient.
"It's a legal tightrope," said Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad. "When people apply for a license, they're considered licensed until that request is denied."
Given how difficult it can be to enforce the law, many municipalities across Michigan are looking into developing a unified ordinance regarding medical marijuana.
Lincoln Park Mayor Frank Vaslo asked the Downriver Community Conference (DCC) —both Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are members —staff to survey member communities about medical marijuana ordinances. He would like to see communities unify a plan to deal with the issue.
Vaslo said he's had requests for warehouses in his city and he'd like an ordinance to address the zoning issues, but he doesn't have a model to base it on.
"There is a big divergence on what each community is doing," Vaslo said.
Several cities Downriver already have drafted their own ordinances.
Melvindale, Trenton, Southgate and Wyandotte recently revised ordinances to accommodate and restrict marijuana distribution facilities.
Southgate's ordinance, for example, prohibits a "medical marijuana facility" within 500 feet of a house of worship, public or private educational facilities, a boundary of a residential district, or a public recreational area or library.
Wyandotte's amended zoning ordinance does not actually address marijuana, but instead prohibits the licensing of any business that is in violation of local, state or federal laws.
Runco said he would support a similar ordinance, as he believes the sale of medical marijuana should be treated like a business.
"If you don't follow the law, you shouldn't be in the business," he said.
Heritage Newspapers Staff Writer Rene Cizio contributed to this report.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Press and Guide
Author: Sean Delaney
Contact: Press and Guide
Copyright: 2010 PressandGuide.com
Website:Cities wrestling with voter-approved medical marijuana - News - Press and Guide
