MASON - The City Council has directed the city attorney to look into a possible medical marijuana moratorium for Mason.
In 2008 state voters passed a law that allows registered caregivers to grow a limited number of plants for patients with prescriptions for the drug.
However, there are many questions raised with the law, such as how to regulate such dispensaries and where they can be located
Some municipalities have passed moratoriums so they can work out the legalities and take a wait-and-see approach.
Mason Mayor Pro Tem Robin Naeyaert said she supports looking into a possible moratorium for the city.
"There are so many interpretations of the law," said Naeyaert, who noted it's too easy for dispensaries to pop up.
Leslie and Williamston already have passed moratoriums, for example, and on Dec. 6, the Lansing City Council passed an ordinance that dictates no new medical marijuana businesses may be opened in the city until July 2011.
Leslie passed a 180-day moratorium on Oct. 5, with City Manager Brian Reed pointing out that the city wasn't yet prepared to understand how the law fits into local zoning.
Mason Mayor Leon Clark said his city waited too long to consider the issue. City Attorney Dennis McGinty also acknowledged the ambiguity of the law, and suggested a moratorium would seem to be an interim - and safer - approach.
"We really don't know what the courts will do on this," McGinty said.
The council voted 6-0 (councilmember Barb Tornholm was absent due to illness) to instruct McGinty to move forward and obtain information on such a moratorium for the council to consider.
Councilmember Neal Johnson suggested Police Chief John Stressman also be included in discussions.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Lansing State Journal
Author: CHRISTIE BLECK
Copyright: 2010 Lansing State Journal
In 2008 state voters passed a law that allows registered caregivers to grow a limited number of plants for patients with prescriptions for the drug.
However, there are many questions raised with the law, such as how to regulate such dispensaries and where they can be located
Some municipalities have passed moratoriums so they can work out the legalities and take a wait-and-see approach.
Mason Mayor Pro Tem Robin Naeyaert said she supports looking into a possible moratorium for the city.
"There are so many interpretations of the law," said Naeyaert, who noted it's too easy for dispensaries to pop up.
Leslie and Williamston already have passed moratoriums, for example, and on Dec. 6, the Lansing City Council passed an ordinance that dictates no new medical marijuana businesses may be opened in the city until July 2011.
Leslie passed a 180-day moratorium on Oct. 5, with City Manager Brian Reed pointing out that the city wasn't yet prepared to understand how the law fits into local zoning.
Mason Mayor Leon Clark said his city waited too long to consider the issue. City Attorney Dennis McGinty also acknowledged the ambiguity of the law, and suggested a moratorium would seem to be an interim - and safer - approach.
"We really don't know what the courts will do on this," McGinty said.
The council voted 6-0 (councilmember Barb Tornholm was absent due to illness) to instruct McGinty to move forward and obtain information on such a moratorium for the council to consider.
Councilmember Neal Johnson suggested Police Chief John Stressman also be included in discussions.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Lansing State Journal
Author: CHRISTIE BLECK
Copyright: 2010 Lansing State Journal
