Medical Marijuana Ordinance Still Under Revision

Jim Finnel

Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Fenton Twp. — The Fenton Township Board of Trustees held a first reading and public hearing of an amended medical marijuana ordinance on Monday.

If approved at the next meeting, it would override the initial ordinance, approved last month.

The board approved the first ordinance by a vote of 6-1, with Trustee Tony Brown casting the dissenting vote. He preferred passing an ordinance that required no changes.

The ordinance regulates the growing, consumption and distribution of marijuana authorized under Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act.


Any person within township boundaries, who has a valid registry identification card, as a qualifying patient, must comply with the ordinance requirements, including the condition that states that consumption of marijuana must not occur in any public place and growing of marijuana is only allowed inside of an enclosed structure or building with walls and roof. The building must also be secured with locks to prevent unintended or uninvited access.

Several citizens from outside Fenton Township expressed their objections regarding some of the conditions pertaining to primary caregivers during past meetings. Board members knew that when they approved the original ordinance, it would be sent back to the Planning Commission for revisions, per the comments from citizens.

Under the section for, “Requirements for caregivers,” there were three changes.

The ordinance used to state that the location from which a primary caregiver provides services to a qualifying patient must not be within 1,000 feet of any school, daycare center or church. The amended ordinance removed daycare center and church.

The first ordinance required primary caregivers to register with the township by submission of a form prepared by the township. This requirement was removed in the amended ordinance. Citizens’ comments revealed that registering with the township could ultimately violate privacy laws and make caregivers vulnerable to theft.

The first ordinance required primary caregivers to post a bond to ensure compliance with the requirements of the ordinance. This requirement also was removed from the amended ordinance, due to privacy concerns.


NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: tctimes.com
Author: Sharon Stone
Copyright: 2010 Tri-County Times
Contact: news@tctimes.com
Website: Tri-County Times > Archives > News > Local > Medical marijuana ordinance still under revision

• Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
 
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