MUSKEGON COUNTY MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS FEAR REGULATION

MUSKEGON -- Muskegon County residents turned out to apply for permits
to use medical marijuana Friday, despite possible zoning regulations
on growers and dispensers.

The cities of Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Roosevelt Park recently
placed six-month moratoriums on the development of medical marijuana
facilities. They are considering zoning regulations on growers and
dispensaries, but no specific regulations under consideration have
been announced.

The application event, hosted by the Muskegon chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) at the Fairfield
Inn on Mount Garfield Road, aimed to help potential patients correctly
fill out their paperwork. It was the second event of its kind in
Muskegon County, according to Beth Singleton, executive secretary of
the Michigan chapter of NORML.

Muskegon resident Vern Ainsworth, who said he was applying for a
permit because he suffers from chronic pain from a work-related
injury, questioned the city's decision to consider regulating medical
marijuana facilities.

"My only thought is why they didn't do all this (regulating) before it
was (voted) legal," he said.

Singleton said she is concerned regulators will attempt to turn
medical marijuana into a government-run business. She said members of
the local chapter of NORML will meet with city officials next week to
discuss their concerns

"Our biggest issue is with the economy the way it is, the state of
health care, people need to be able to grow their own," Singleton
said. "With the state of unemployment, people can't afford to hand
that money back to the government."

Derek Antol, exective director of the Michigan branch of NORML and a
medical marijuana user for arthritis, said the group agrees with city
officials in opposing marijuana dispensaries.

However, he said zoning regulations might cause problems for
caregivers who want to lease another building because of space and the
fear their homes might be burglarized.

Stacie Van Dam, a North Muskegon resident who applied for a medical
marijuana permit because of a blood condition leading to headaches and
dizziness, said she opposes new zoning ordinances.

"I think it's just going to make it harder (for patients)," she
said.

Bill Camp, a Muskegon resident applying for a permit because of
chronic pain in his back and neck and muscle spasms, said he wasn't
worried about potential zoning ordinances.

"I don't think (more regulation) will happen here in Muskegon," he
said. "There are a lot of people who are against (regulations)."

Van Dam said she thinks attempts to regulate medical marijuana might
have been prompted by misconceptions about users.

"I'm a mom, I have three kids, ... I've never been in trouble with the
law," she said. "I think it's a lot safer than most pain medications
you can be on."

Richard Krist of Muskegon, who was applying for a medical marijuana
permit because of fibromyalgia, a pain disorder, said he thinks new
regulations are unnecessary.

"What are (city officials) so afraid of?" he said. "What's the worst
marijuana's going to do? It's going to make you watch 'Spongebob' with
your niece and nephew and order a pizza."