Dexter planners set date for hearing on regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries
In addition, the commission unanimously requested that the Village Council extend its current moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries an additional 90 days. The current moratorium expires later this month. The Village Council is expected to act on the extended moratorium request at its regular meeting on Dec. 13.
“The village is attempting to create regulations that meet the intent of the law, while protecting the public’s health, safety and welfare,” Allison Bishop, the village’s community development director, said previously.
Bishop told village planners she expects local officials will get more information about the best way to comply with the state's Medical Marijuana Act but not for at least six months and "we’re still not clear what that information will be.”
She pointed out information she’d received from tie village attorney about an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed against the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Livonia — municipalities that have approved resolutions that “prohibit all uses or purposes contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances.”
Chelsea is considering a similar ban and approved on first reading a similar ordinance, which is expected to be on the council agenda on Dec. 14 for a second reading. Saline has already approved a similar ban. Other municipalities, including Ann Arbor, are discussing how to regulate medical marijuana.
Michigan voters approved the use of medical marijuana in 2008.
Dexter’s draft ordinance includes a provision that a dispensary cannot be located within 500 feet of a library, a school or another dispensary and must be located in a zoning district that’s accessible, has ample parking and has public transit available.
In addition, dispensaries must have security systems and proof of the system as well as ongoing monitoring. The draft ordinance prohibits “medical marijuana home occupations within multiple family dwellings” and exterior signs using the word marijuana.
Also according to the draft ordinance, a dispensary must keep a log book and or a database identifying by date the amount of medical marijuana on the premises for each registered qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver, while keeping the qualifying patient and caregiver information confidential.
Fines for violating the village’s medical marijuana ordinance are proposed to be $1,000 for the first violation, $2,000 for the first repeat violation and $3,000 for a subsequent violation.
Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Dexter stories, visit out Dexter page.
Comments
Atticus F.
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.
Also Tim, you should note that no doctor that I've seen in the medical MJ industry has ever recomended that the patients Smoke Cannabis. The general guidelines among doctors who recomend medical MJ, is that it should only be injested by vaporization or orally. The only exception would be patients who are terminal cancer patients.
timeatwork
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.
pawky, who are you to say that those receiving cards don't have a ligitimate need? the voters passed the law to allow medical marijuana and the doctors are in charge of prescribing the drug. since when do bystanders get to intervene in an individuals healthcare?
Corey
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 11 a.m.
@tim You can ingest marijuana anyway you see fit. They have pills, food, topical lotions, all kinds of stuff. I agree with @Dave Briegel about this being a good reason for fully legalizing marijuana. There is plenty of research and data showing that it is far less dangerous than current legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco) and it would give a much needed boost to tax revenues. I have yet to hear a solid argument that would support the contrary. I feel so sorry for any citizen of these closed-minded communities who would benefit from marijuana but aren't allowed because of ignorance. So, so sad.
tim
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
What doc do you know that has ever had anyone smoke anything? What a dumb law, Im sure there's a way to put this stuff in a pill and sell it like the rest of medications
David Briegel
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
This is precisely why Marijuana should be legal. Let the free market resolve the issue. There will always be those who wish to prevent any process from proceeding. Prohibition does NOT work. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, LEAP is an excellent example of citizens from the front lines in the costly, failed and futile effort to prohibit the growth and use of Marijuana and who don't approve of the destruction of the lives of their fellow citizens. That is not the purpose of law enforcement.
Roger Roth
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
We have to feel like we're making an effort to protect our kids and to protect people from themselves. The older I get, the more I see how much our lives are driven and controlled by fear. We're afraid of just about everything. Whaddaway to live. Small government????? I dare you!
Atticus F.
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
Pawky, every person who has a medical mj card in Michigan has to be certified by a doctor that they have a qualifying condition. Do you have any evidence to contradict that? If not, it sounds like you're just making a assumptions based on stereo types.
pawky
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 6:10 a.m.
@huronbob: The vast majority of us approved the medical marijuana law. We were duped into believing that this was going to be restricted to help "alleviate the symptoms of a number of chronic medical disorders" for those truly needing it. The reality of the new law is that a high percentage of those obtaining medical marijuana cards are just stoners looking to get high legally. If it is the will of the people that marijuana be legalized for everyone, just do it. I'm ok with that. But let's not kid ourselves. Watch the hidden camera specials when "patients" go into clinics run by "pro-marijuana" doctors a get a prescription for any alleged ailment. What a sham. I'm glad that Dexter is actually putting thought into what will happen with the steady stream of "patients" downtown.
bs
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 1:53 a.m.
Welcome to the new world. The use of Marijuana as a medicine to alleviate the symptoms of a number of chronic medical disorders is well established. The state of Michigan has passed legislation to allow those who suffer from those ailments to utilize marijuana, a means to help with these symptoms. So, let's pass local legislation to prevent this from happening.... let's make these folks suffer when there is a means to alleviate the pain. Shame on those that want tol make this difficult....