Howell Mich: Howell city officials have taken a step intended to prevent medical marijuana dispensaries from opening up in their town by proposing a zoning ordinance amendment to be voted on by the Howell City Council tonight.
The amendment prohibits uses that violate federal, state or local law anywhere in the city. Since the possession and distribution of marijuana is still illegal under federal law, city officials said they believe the ordinance amendment will give them clear grounds to argue against businesses or clubs that grow and provide medical marijuana from setting up shop in Howell.
"At this point, the city has nothing on our books that speaks to this at all," City Manager Shea Charles said. "At least this puts us in a position to be able to argue about."
City officials said the growing presence of medical marijuana dispensaries and so-called "smoke clubs" prompted their action, the closest example being the Green Leaf Smokers Club in Williamston.
However, the owner of that club said his establishment is aligned with the state's Michigan Medical Marihuana Act that legalized medical marijuana in 2008. He said based on his reading of the law, cities cannot ban medical marijuana dispensaries.
"Logically, that would be like saying a doctor's office could not be set up," said the Rev. Wayne Dagit, owner of Green Leaf Smokers Club. "To say that they can't come to a city makes me question whether it's really the voters or is it the few people on the panel saying what they want?"
He added: "These people aren't dope dealers; they are just seeking medicine."
Dagit, an ordained minister who is a patient and caregiver of medical marijuana, said at the Green Leaf Smokers Club caregivers have a shared space where they can grow and provide medical marijuana for up to five patients each, which is a restriction of the state law. He said patients are also able to "medicate" in the facility.
He said the club is especially useful for patients who want to use medical marijuana but don't want to subject others in their households, such as children, to the drug.
"I'm not over here making money," Dagit said. "I'm doing God's work. It's unfair that local governments feel the need to ostracize."
In Howell, Planning and Zoning Administrator Erin Perdu said the city is not attempting to stop patients or caregivers from growing and using medical marijuana.
"This is not addressing what people do in their homes; we're primarily looking at new enterprises," Perdu said. "It's a matter of interpretation of the medical marijuana statute compared to the federal level."
In March, another Livingston County community, Green Oak Township, took a similar stance by starting a process to figure out how the medical marijuana law will fit into its zoning rules. So far, no official action has been made on the issue.
The Howell City Council will vote on whether to approve the proposed amendment during its 7 p.m. meeting today at City Hall, 611 E. Grand River Avenue in Howell.
News Hawk: Warbux 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Livingston Daily.com
Author: Leah Boyd
Contact: mailto:LDBoyd@Gannett.com
Copyright: 2010 Gannett News services
Website: Howell looks to block medical marijuana clubs, dispensaries | livingstondaily.com | Livingston Daily
The amendment prohibits uses that violate federal, state or local law anywhere in the city. Since the possession and distribution of marijuana is still illegal under federal law, city officials said they believe the ordinance amendment will give them clear grounds to argue against businesses or clubs that grow and provide medical marijuana from setting up shop in Howell.
"At this point, the city has nothing on our books that speaks to this at all," City Manager Shea Charles said. "At least this puts us in a position to be able to argue about."
City officials said the growing presence of medical marijuana dispensaries and so-called "smoke clubs" prompted their action, the closest example being the Green Leaf Smokers Club in Williamston.
However, the owner of that club said his establishment is aligned with the state's Michigan Medical Marihuana Act that legalized medical marijuana in 2008. He said based on his reading of the law, cities cannot ban medical marijuana dispensaries.
"Logically, that would be like saying a doctor's office could not be set up," said the Rev. Wayne Dagit, owner of Green Leaf Smokers Club. "To say that they can't come to a city makes me question whether it's really the voters or is it the few people on the panel saying what they want?"
He added: "These people aren't dope dealers; they are just seeking medicine."
Dagit, an ordained minister who is a patient and caregiver of medical marijuana, said at the Green Leaf Smokers Club caregivers have a shared space where they can grow and provide medical marijuana for up to five patients each, which is a restriction of the state law. He said patients are also able to "medicate" in the facility.
He said the club is especially useful for patients who want to use medical marijuana but don't want to subject others in their households, such as children, to the drug.
"I'm not over here making money," Dagit said. "I'm doing God's work. It's unfair that local governments feel the need to ostracize."
In Howell, Planning and Zoning Administrator Erin Perdu said the city is not attempting to stop patients or caregivers from growing and using medical marijuana.
"This is not addressing what people do in their homes; we're primarily looking at new enterprises," Perdu said. "It's a matter of interpretation of the medical marijuana statute compared to the federal level."
In March, another Livingston County community, Green Oak Township, took a similar stance by starting a process to figure out how the medical marijuana law will fit into its zoning rules. So far, no official action has been made on the issue.
The Howell City Council will vote on whether to approve the proposed amendment during its 7 p.m. meeting today at City Hall, 611 E. Grand River Avenue in Howell.
News Hawk: Warbux 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Livingston Daily.com
Author: Leah Boyd
Contact: mailto:LDBoyd@Gannett.com
Copyright: 2010 Gannett News services
Website: Howell looks to block medical marijuana clubs, dispensaries | livingstondaily.com | Livingston Daily
