Jacob Bell
New Member
DOWAGIAC – Dowagiac officials looking to tighten medical marijuana laws are proposing an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would essentially ban the use of marijuana at all locations other than a cardholder's residence.
This would allow, "Only the small, personal service the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act contemplates," City Manager Kevin Anderson said.
"Really what we're going to be proposing is an ordinance that says that we would treat medical marijuana as a home occupation," he said.
Medical marijuana dispensaries would also be banned from the city, as would selling marijuana from storefronts or other businesses.
Anderson said the way the law currently exists, smoking marijuana is "fairly open" to take place at a number of businesses in town.
A license and zoning requirement would need to be met for a location to qualify as a place to use the drug.
The proposal also calls for no more than two patients on the premises in which a home occupation is located and would require all home occupation to obtain a business license. No more than one-fourth of the living area of the dwelling could be used for home occupation.
"We want to make sure we have the appropriate safeguards," Anderson said.
Cardholders are allowed to grow up to 12 plants at a time and carry 2.5 ounces of marijuana. They can also obtain marijuana through a caregiver.
Anderson said the draft is very similar to the one passed by the city of Grand Rapids recently.
Several west Michigan municipalities have passed similar zoning ordinances in recent months to get more control of the issue locally, as debate over the 2008 vote approving the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act still draws controversy.
Because the city is proposing a zoning ordinance change, it will require a public hearing before the planning commission, which will likely occur in July. The full board could vote on the issue in July as well.
The Ontwa Township Planning Commission, near Edwardsburg, also is looking into changing its zoning ordinance regarding medical marijuana.
Messages left with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association and the Cass County Compassion Club, a local group that aims to educate about medical marijuana laws, were not returned.
Officials with the Cass County prosecutor's office also could not be reached Thursday.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: southbendtribune.com
Author: Tom Moor
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: South Bend Tribune
Website: Proposal targets medical pot use
This would allow, "Only the small, personal service the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act contemplates," City Manager Kevin Anderson said.
"Really what we're going to be proposing is an ordinance that says that we would treat medical marijuana as a home occupation," he said.
Medical marijuana dispensaries would also be banned from the city, as would selling marijuana from storefronts or other businesses.
Anderson said the way the law currently exists, smoking marijuana is "fairly open" to take place at a number of businesses in town.
A license and zoning requirement would need to be met for a location to qualify as a place to use the drug.
The proposal also calls for no more than two patients on the premises in which a home occupation is located and would require all home occupation to obtain a business license. No more than one-fourth of the living area of the dwelling could be used for home occupation.
"We want to make sure we have the appropriate safeguards," Anderson said.
Cardholders are allowed to grow up to 12 plants at a time and carry 2.5 ounces of marijuana. They can also obtain marijuana through a caregiver.
Anderson said the draft is very similar to the one passed by the city of Grand Rapids recently.
Several west Michigan municipalities have passed similar zoning ordinances in recent months to get more control of the issue locally, as debate over the 2008 vote approving the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act still draws controversy.
Because the city is proposing a zoning ordinance change, it will require a public hearing before the planning commission, which will likely occur in July. The full board could vote on the issue in July as well.
The Ontwa Township Planning Commission, near Edwardsburg, also is looking into changing its zoning ordinance regarding medical marijuana.
Messages left with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association and the Cass County Compassion Club, a local group that aims to educate about medical marijuana laws, were not returned.
Officials with the Cass County prosecutor's office also could not be reached Thursday.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: southbendtribune.com
Author: Tom Moor
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: South Bend Tribune
Website: Proposal targets medical pot use
