MedicalNeed
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GAINES TOWNSHIP - After discussing a full ban, planning commissioners Thursday recommended medical marijuana regulations prohibiting commercial dispensaries and requiring caregivers to deliver the drug to patients.
Trustee Tim Haagsma said it will be up to the township board to pass the ordinance or completely ban growing and dispensing by caregivers and patients as has been discussed.
"Let them deal with it," Haagsma said. "At least we are bringing them something and it's on their radar."
Township planners tabled the issue in September to explore a ban that wouldn't restrict a patient registered with the state from using the drug.
Attorneys consulted by the commission advised against a full ban to stay in compliance with the state's medical marijuana law. The city of Wyoming prohibited the drug this month, prompting a lawsuit days later.
Haagsma said he believes regulations will be effective in preventing crime and other problems.
"If medical marijuana is going to be used and prescribed, the way we're talking about (regulating it) is the way to do it," he said.
The township also may still consider licensing caregivers, Planner Brian Tingley said.
Commission Chairman Ron De Ward said the township could benefit from extending the moratorium again to see if the state moves forward with regulation and to see how lawsuits in other municipalities play out.
De Ward said he'd like the board to ask state legislators to come up with a viable law.
"It's frustrating because we're kind of caught in the middle of this," he said.
Commissioner Connie Giarmo, who abstained from the vote because she has a federal position, said her concerns lie with distribution, since patients can't be sure what they are getting.
"We are legislating the quantity everyone has, not the quality," she said.
The township board will take up the issue at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Erin Albanese
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Copyright:2010 Michigan Live LLC
Website:Gaines Township delays decision on medical marijuana regulations | MLive.com
Trustee Tim Haagsma said it will be up to the township board to pass the ordinance or completely ban growing and dispensing by caregivers and patients as has been discussed.
"Let them deal with it," Haagsma said. "At least we are bringing them something and it's on their radar."
Township planners tabled the issue in September to explore a ban that wouldn't restrict a patient registered with the state from using the drug.
Attorneys consulted by the commission advised against a full ban to stay in compliance with the state's medical marijuana law. The city of Wyoming prohibited the drug this month, prompting a lawsuit days later.
Haagsma said he believes regulations will be effective in preventing crime and other problems.
"If medical marijuana is going to be used and prescribed, the way we're talking about (regulating it) is the way to do it," he said.
The township also may still consider licensing caregivers, Planner Brian Tingley said.
Commission Chairman Ron De Ward said the township could benefit from extending the moratorium again to see if the state moves forward with regulation and to see how lawsuits in other municipalities play out.
De Ward said he'd like the board to ask state legislators to come up with a viable law.
"It's frustrating because we're kind of caught in the middle of this," he said.
Commissioner Connie Giarmo, who abstained from the vote because she has a federal position, said her concerns lie with distribution, since patients can't be sure what they are getting.
"We are legislating the quantity everyone has, not the quality," she said.
The township board will take up the issue at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Erin Albanese
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Copyright:2010 Michigan Live LLC
Website:Gaines Township delays decision on medical marijuana regulations | MLive.com
