CITY COUNCIL PROHIBITS NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN YPSILANTI

The Ypsilanti City Council voted to approve the first reading of an
emergency ordinance which imposes a moratorium on the issuance of
permits for the sale or dispensation of medical marijuana within city
limits. The vote was 4-2 with Council Member Brian Robb and Mayor Pro
Tem Trudy Swanson-Winston dissenting.

John Barr, the city's attorney said that the reason for this reading
was to clear up any discrepancies between state and city law.

"There was a recent constitutional amendment passed and it somewhat
effects Michigan and the city differently," Barr said. "This
moratorium means that no new dispensaries will be able to open within
the next 90 days while the city staff gets together to come up with
legislation that it is in alignment with state laws. If passed, the
ordinance would go into effect immediately."

Barr said that there are no businesses currently seeking permits, but
this emergency ordinance was proposed to prohibit any other business
from doing so while the legislation was being updated to reflect
Michigan's legislation.

"What we're looking at is from a zoning point of view for a business
license," he said. "We're trying to see if it should be in a downtown
area or a residential area. Grand Rapids, for instance, has stated
that it can be for residential zoning. The state law changed and the
city ordinances didn't. We're asking for this moratorium so the
planning commission can meet and establish guidelines for the ordinance."

Teresa Gillotti, the city manager, identified three businesses which
operate and deal with marijuana or marijuana-related products. Stealth
Hydro and Puff Daddy's are two business which sell marijuana-related
retail items, and 3rd Coast Compassion Center is the city's lone dispensary.

Normally ordinances go into effect 30 days after they are passed on a
second reading. However, Barr asked council to approve this emergency
ordinance so that it takes effect immediately after the second reading
if council passes it.

Darrell Starvos is a co-manager of the 3rd Coast Compassion Center. He
spoke out against the moratorium saying that it would be harmful to
the city and to the patients who utilize this service on a daily basis.

"We've been open now for seven months and we are a compassion center,"
Starvos said. "We have brought a lot of business here to Ypsilanti
with things like the Caregiver Cup, and we've helped a lot of people
comfort. We average about 60 or 70 customers in and out of our center
every day and about 90 percent are from outside of Ypsilanti. These
people eat, shop and visit local businesses. I want to see growth here
in Ypsilanti and I want to see more business like this come into Ypsilanti.

"I'm just hoping this moratorium doesn't affect people from growing in
their home and providing care for their patients," Starvos added.
"Obviously if you all adopt this ordinance it would mean that I
wouldn't have any competition, but that's not what I'm after."

Robb said he didn't support the ordinance because it gives the city an
image of rejecting a business which is obviously going to be a part of
Michigan's future.

"I can't support this just because it's negative policy," said Robb.
"I mean, if you pick up the Metro Times, half of the ads in there are
for marijuana. I understand that this will not be permanent, but this
is going to be a big business in Michigan."

Other cities and townships, including Saline, Milan and Ypsilanti
Township, also have taken up debates about medical marijuana laws in
their respective municipalities.

The second reading for Ypsilanti is scheduled for a September date.