BRIGHTON TWP. MOVES TO BLOCK MEDICAL POT SHOPS

Brighton Township won't allow medical marijuana businesses to open in
the community until the state clarifies the rules associated with the
2008 law that made it legal for certain patients to use marijuana to
relieve their symptoms.

Township Manager Dan Bishop said the moratorium approved at Monday's
Board of Trustees meeting came as a result of the state not yet
specifying what is or isn't allowed under the voter-approved Michigan
Medical Marihuana Act. When the state does so, Bishop said, the
township would come up with an ordinance incorporating those rules and
the moratorium would be lifted.

"We are still doing the research we can; we need to know what the
state of Michigan rules will be so we're in sync and not in conflict
(with them)," Bishop said. "The more we learn, the less we know. (The
state) has not been very helpful. We're hoping we get answers in the
near future."

Township Supervisor Tom Murphy said the township was covering its
bases with the moratorium.

"We have to deal with it so something doesn't come up, to prevent a
bigger problem from happening," Murphy said. "Once an ordinance is in
place, the moratorium will be gone."

The moratorium took effect immediately after it was approved on a 6-1
vote at Monday night's meeting, with Trustee Jim Kovitz dissenting.

Kovitz said he didn't like the idea of placing a moratorium on
something allowed under state law. Kovitz said he didn't want to upon
rights granted under state law.

"The activity we're talking about is state law," Kovitz
said.

The moratorium was not popular among some area residents,
either.

Lee Mitnick, one of 450 members of the Brighton Area Compassion Club,
said medical marijuana is "extremely valid" and that people should
have a way of getting it if they're unable to grow it themselves.

The compassion club is a social group that teaches individuals how to
grow their own medical marijuana; connects caregivers and patients;
and educates its members about the law, according to host Doug Orton.
The group meets in the Brighton area.

By proposing a moratorium on dispensary businesses, Mitnick said the
township would be denying residents a valuable local asset.

"A dispensary can be a very valuable asset to the community, and
businesses around these dispensaries can benefit, too," Mitnick said.
"My feeling is that Michigan voters are for this, and many states are
for this. It's not a bunch of people trying to run around the law in
order to be able to smoke pot. This poses a tremendous
inconvenience."

Mitnick said he blames the ordinance on the negative stigma associated
with medical marijuana.

"If people take the time to actually learn about this, then they might
have a different idea," Mitnick said. "I can kind of understand their
position, but what I don't understand is why people in positions of
power seem to be unwilling to look at all sides."

Township Clerk Ann Bollin said she felt the moratorium was necessary
to solve potential problems that could arise should medical marijuana
businesses settle in before the township had any rules.

"The intent here is temporary," Bollin said. "I think we're being
progressive. I like the concept of trying to work something out, but I
think it would end up backfiring. If (marijuana dispensaries) were
allowed without any rules, some would be what they were before we had
clearly defined rules."

In Michigan, the law allows people to use medical marijuana with a
doctor's certification and a state registration if they have
conditions such as cancer, HIV, Crohn's disease or other conditions
involving chronic pain, nausea or muscle spasms. Individuals must
apply to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Under the law, patients can possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12
marijuana plants for personal use; caregivers, authorized by the state
to provide the marijuana, can possess a similar amount for each
patient, up to five people. Users and caregivers must keep all
marijuana under lock and key.

In passing the moratorium, Brighton Township joined the city of Howell
in having taken action regarding medical marijuana
establishments.

In May, Howell ratified a zoning ordinance amendment that blocked
medical marijuana clubs and dispensaries.

In March, another Livingston County community, Green Oak Township,
took a similar stance by starting a process to figure out how the
medical marijuana law will fit into its zoning rules. So far, no
official action has been made on the issue in Green Oak.

Murphy said Brighton Township ultimately has plans for what a future
ordinance regarding medical marijuana dispensaries might look like.

Though nothing is certain, he said the township would not want to
allow home-based medical marijuana dispensaries.