Chelsea could become the second city in western Washtenaw County to ban medical marijuana dispensaries Tuesday night.
After unanimously approving on first reading last month a change to its zoning ordinance that will prohibit dispensaries in the city, the council is expected to take a final vote tonight.
Jim Drolett, the city's planning and zoning administrator, said previously that the text change in the zoning ordinance would apply to any use that is contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances.
"The intended purpose of this proposed amendment (is) to prohibit the establishment of any uses within the city which violate federal law and this amendment by inference would prohibit medical marijuana dispensary clinics as the sale and distribution of marijuana violates federal law," the agenda item states.
Municipalities have been struggling with whether and how to regulate medical marijuana since voters approved its use in 2008, and legal questions about whether they have the right to ban dispensaries have arisen.
On Dec. 1, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Livonia – which have all approved resolutions banning dispensaries that are similar to the one that Chelsea is considering.
Saline has also banned medical marijuana dispensaries within its city limits. Dexter Village is working on changes to its ordinance that would allow the dispensaries, and Dexter Township has imposed a moratorium on them while it irons out a new ordinance. Ann Arbor is also working to develop regulations, while Ypsilanti recently approved an ordinance.
Chelsea has no pending applications or established medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
"The issue of medical marijuana dispensaries, 'clinics' has been a growing concern since the use was voted upon in 2008. Some communities have attempted to control the spread of the 'clinics' by allowing them only in certain zoning districts, others prohibit them as the activity violates federal law. Staff feels this amendment is the preferable method for controlling these types of activities," the agenda item states.
The Chelsea City Council meets at 7 p.m. at the Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington St.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: AnnArbor.com
Author: Lisa Allmendinger
Contact: AnnArbor.com
Copyright: 2010 AnnArbor.com LLC
Website: Chelsea expected to become second city in the county to ban medical marijuana dispensaries
After unanimously approving on first reading last month a change to its zoning ordinance that will prohibit dispensaries in the city, the council is expected to take a final vote tonight.
Jim Drolett, the city's planning and zoning administrator, said previously that the text change in the zoning ordinance would apply to any use that is contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances.
"The intended purpose of this proposed amendment (is) to prohibit the establishment of any uses within the city which violate federal law and this amendment by inference would prohibit medical marijuana dispensary clinics as the sale and distribution of marijuana violates federal law," the agenda item states.
Municipalities have been struggling with whether and how to regulate medical marijuana since voters approved its use in 2008, and legal questions about whether they have the right to ban dispensaries have arisen.
On Dec. 1, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Livonia – which have all approved resolutions banning dispensaries that are similar to the one that Chelsea is considering.
Saline has also banned medical marijuana dispensaries within its city limits. Dexter Village is working on changes to its ordinance that would allow the dispensaries, and Dexter Township has imposed a moratorium on them while it irons out a new ordinance. Ann Arbor is also working to develop regulations, while Ypsilanti recently approved an ordinance.
Chelsea has no pending applications or established medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
"The issue of medical marijuana dispensaries, 'clinics' has been a growing concern since the use was voted upon in 2008. Some communities have attempted to control the spread of the 'clinics' by allowing them only in certain zoning districts, others prohibit them as the activity violates federal law. Staff feels this amendment is the preferable method for controlling these types of activities," the agenda item states.
The Chelsea City Council meets at 7 p.m. at the Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington St.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: AnnArbor.com
Author: Lisa Allmendinger
Contact: AnnArbor.com
Copyright: 2010 AnnArbor.com LLC
Website: Chelsea expected to become second city in the county to ban medical marijuana dispensaries
