CITIES WRESTLING WITH VOTER-APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA

DEARBORN HEIGHTS/DEARBORN - While Michigan voters approved marijuana
use as medicine in 2008, its sale and use continues to generate
controversy in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and surrounding communities.

"The only thing medical marijuana hurts is a patient's waistline,"
said Eugene "Bill" Runco, founder of the Marijuana for Life
Foundation in Dearborn Heights.

He's referring to marijuana's use as an appetite stimulant for
patients who have experienced significant weight loss, although its
reputation as a "gateway drug" is far more prevalent.

"That's one of the myths we're trying to fight," said Runco, a
relative of former 19th District Chief Judge William "Bill" Runco.

"Unfortunately, there's still a lot of stigma surrounding medical
marijuana, even though 63 percent of people voted for it in 2008."

In order to use medicinal marijuana in compliance with Michigan law,
patients must have a debilitating medical condition, and their
marijuana use must be related to that condition.

In order to ensure that their condition is covered, patients must
apply for a medicinal marijuana registry identification card with the
Michigan Department of Community Health.

"Everyone needs to follow the basic guidelines," Runco said. "If you
can't understand that, then you went to the wrong school."

According to the state, there have been about 53,400 applications
from patients requesting the use of marijuana since 2009 and about
26,400 were approved.

Businesses to support those people are looking for cities where they
can set up facilities to handle the marijuana.

"It's not easy," said Runco. The Dearborn Heights resident sought to
open a medicinal marijuana center last year on Ford Road in Garden
City but was turned down because his clinic and counseling center
didn't meet zoning requirements for the city's business district.

While he's managed to reach an agreement with the city since then,
Runco says he faced similar obstacles when he attempted to open a
medical office building in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.

"Dearborn actually passed an ordinance to deal with it," Runco said.
The ordinance prohibits the licensing of any business that is in
violation of local, state or federal laws. While possession of
medical marijuana might be legal in Michigan, it still violates federal law.

Runco's had better luck in Dearborn Heights, where he's been working
with city officials to establish a new ordinance that would allow
businesses like his to operate in the city.

"We're getting it done," he said. City officials did not return phone
calls seeking comment prior to the Press & Guide's deadline.

Dearborn Heights Chief of Police Lee Gavin said he doesn't have a
problem with businesses that provide medical marijuana, provided they
do it legally.

"I think that's what it comes down to," he said.

Michigan law provides that qualifying patients receive a state-issued
identification card that allows them to have up to 2.5 ounces of
marijuana at one time and sets up a "caregiver" status that allows
people to care of up to five patients by growing as many as 12 plants
per patient.

"It's a legal tightrope," said Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad.
"When people apply for a license, they're considered licensed until
that request is denied."

Given how difficult it can be to enforce the law, many municipalities
across Michigan are looking into developing a unified ordinance
regarding medical marijuana.

Lincoln Park Mayor Frank Vaslo asked the Downriver Community
Conference (DCC) - both Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are members
- -staff to survey member communities about medical marijuana
ordinances. He would like to see communities unify a plan to deal
with the issue.

Vaslo said he's had requests for warehouses in his city and he'd like
an ordinance to address the zoning issues, but he doesn't have a
model to base it on.

"There is a big divergence on what each community is doing," Vaslo said.

Several cities Downriver already have drafted their own ordinances.

Melvindale, Trenton, Southgate and Wyandotte recently revised
ordinances to accommodate and restrict marijuana distribution facilities.

Southgate's ordinance, for example, prohibits a "medical marijuana
facility" within 500 feet of a house of worship, public or private
educational facilities, a boundary of a residential district, or a
public recreational area or library.

Wyandotte's amended zoning ordinance does not actually address
marijuana, but instead prohibits the licensing of any business that
is in violation of local, state or federal laws.

Runco said he would support a similar ordinance, as he believes the
sale of medical marijuana should be treated like a business.

"If you don't follow the law, you shouldn't be in the business," he said.