MedicalNeed
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An effort to pass an ordinance prohibiting the commercial cultivation, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or possession of marijuana as a home occupation failed at the Harbor Springs City Council meeting on Monday, October 18, at City Hall.
Though City Code, as it stands now, prohibits the issuing of a business license for a medical marijuana business, it would not prohibit the operation of such a business from within a residence, as such enterprises do not require a business license to operate.
Had the council adopted the ordinance, both home-based and commercial medical marijuana businesses would have been deemed unlawful, thereby placing City Code in line with the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which prohibits the sale of controlled substances.
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), which became effective in December of 2008, permits the possession and distribution of marijuana by registered patients, physicians, and caregivers, despite federal prohibition through the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Supporters of the ordinance, including Mayor Al Dika, suggested that such a move would prevent the negative impact associated with the growing and distribution of medical marijuana by multiple caregivers within a single residence. The increase in vehicle and foot traffic centered on the distribution of a controlled substance, supporters of the ordinance said, could affect the quality of a neighborhood and its residents.
A member of the audience argued that the proposed ordinance would work in opposition to the wants of state voters, whose support for the MMMA should be taken into consideration. Furthermore, council member Alan Hegedus noted, the traffic generated by distribution would not exceed that generated by home-based businesses of other products, which currently operate outside the boundaries of City Code. Should illegal activity take place, he said, such as distribution without a license, it can be properly addressed through existing laws.
Ultimately, the ordinance failed to pass with a final vote of 2-2 by council members.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source:harborlightnews.com
Author: BRADY DONNELLY
Contact: Harbor Light Newspaper
Copyright: 2010 Harbor Light Newspaper harborlightnews.com
Website:Harbor Light Newspaper: Medical marijuana debated at council
Though City Code, as it stands now, prohibits the issuing of a business license for a medical marijuana business, it would not prohibit the operation of such a business from within a residence, as such enterprises do not require a business license to operate.
Had the council adopted the ordinance, both home-based and commercial medical marijuana businesses would have been deemed unlawful, thereby placing City Code in line with the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which prohibits the sale of controlled substances.
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), which became effective in December of 2008, permits the possession and distribution of marijuana by registered patients, physicians, and caregivers, despite federal prohibition through the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Supporters of the ordinance, including Mayor Al Dika, suggested that such a move would prevent the negative impact associated with the growing and distribution of medical marijuana by multiple caregivers within a single residence. The increase in vehicle and foot traffic centered on the distribution of a controlled substance, supporters of the ordinance said, could affect the quality of a neighborhood and its residents.
A member of the audience argued that the proposed ordinance would work in opposition to the wants of state voters, whose support for the MMMA should be taken into consideration. Furthermore, council member Alan Hegedus noted, the traffic generated by distribution would not exceed that generated by home-based businesses of other products, which currently operate outside the boundaries of City Code. Should illegal activity take place, he said, such as distribution without a license, it can be properly addressed through existing laws.
Ultimately, the ordinance failed to pass with a final vote of 2-2 by council members.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source:harborlightnews.com
Author: BRADY DONNELLY
Contact: Harbor Light Newspaper
Copyright: 2010 Harbor Light Newspaper harborlightnews.com
Website:Harbor Light Newspaper: Medical marijuana debated at council
