Jacob Bell
New Member
Oshtemo Township took the first step toward enacting a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana by approving the moratorium on first reading Tuesday. The board will take it up again at its next meeting, March 8.
The board is considering enacting the moratorium in order to give the Planning Commission time to consider how best to incorporate the state medical marijuana law into the township's zoning ordinance. Many municipalities in Michigan have enacted similar moratoriums since voters approved a law legalizing use of marijuana for approved medical reasons in 2008.
The board approved the moratorium on first reading on a vote of 6-1, with Treasurer Nancy Culp dissenting. After questioning how the moratorium would affect existing medical marijuana businesses and not receiving an answer, Culp said there are too many unanswered questions for her to support the moratorium.
The board heard from four people who are involved with medical marijuana businesses, all of whom emphasized the safety and legality of their businesses and urged the board to look into the issues and work with them to find middle ground.
The moratorium would prohibit the establishment or expansion of any township property or structure that is used to acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, use, deliver, transfer or transport marijuana or paraphernalia for 180 days while the Planning Commission develops recommendations on the regulation of marijuana for medical use.
"Because of the way this law was written, there's a myriad of loopholes or things that will have to be determined," Township Attorney James Porter said. "This is not a black and white issue. You're going to have to do a great deal of consideration and analysis," he told trustees.
News Hawk- Guitarman313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Fran Wilcox
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Michigan Live LLC
Website: Oshtemo Township takes first step toward six-month moratorium on medical marijuana
The board is considering enacting the moratorium in order to give the Planning Commission time to consider how best to incorporate the state medical marijuana law into the township's zoning ordinance. Many municipalities in Michigan have enacted similar moratoriums since voters approved a law legalizing use of marijuana for approved medical reasons in 2008.
The board approved the moratorium on first reading on a vote of 6-1, with Treasurer Nancy Culp dissenting. After questioning how the moratorium would affect existing medical marijuana businesses and not receiving an answer, Culp said there are too many unanswered questions for her to support the moratorium.
The board heard from four people who are involved with medical marijuana businesses, all of whom emphasized the safety and legality of their businesses and urged the board to look into the issues and work with them to find middle ground.
The moratorium would prohibit the establishment or expansion of any township property or structure that is used to acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, use, deliver, transfer or transport marijuana or paraphernalia for 180 days while the Planning Commission develops recommendations on the regulation of marijuana for medical use.
"Because of the way this law was written, there's a myriad of loopholes or things that will have to be determined," Township Attorney James Porter said. "This is not a black and white issue. You're going to have to do a great deal of consideration and analysis," he told trustees.
News Hawk- Guitarman313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Fran Wilcox
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Michigan Live LLC
Website: Oshtemo Township takes first step toward six-month moratorium on medical marijuana
