MARINE CITY VOTES TO STALL PERMITS FOR MEDICAL POT

Marine City has joined the growing number of municipalities that are
addressing the matter of medical marijuana.

City commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance imposing a
moratorium on the issuance of permits for the sale or dispensation of
medical marijuana within city limits.

"It's just something that we had to do," said Marine City Mayor Bob
Lepley of Thursday's vote. "It's a stall tactic on our part. The
purpose is to give state legislators time to make the law viable and
enforceable.

"It's almost impossible to enforce, the way it's written now. It's too loose."

Marine City Police Chief Don Tillery said the city hasn't had any
issues with medical marijuana.

He said, however, a lot of holes in the state legislation need to be
cleared up, such as zoning for such businesses.

In April, Marysville and Kimball Township officials approved similar
ordinances. Port Huron followed suit in May.

St. Clair's ordinance, approved months ago doesn't specifically
address marijuana, but City Superintendent Scott Adkins said the
ordinance would apply to it.

"We have a general ordinance in place that prohibits any type of
business that violates local, state or federal law," he said.

Michigan legislators have been working to clarify the law, which
received legislative approval in 2008.

Rep. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, said several bills have been
introduced in the Senate addressing various issues.

"We've got a lot to do on this proposal because the regulatory side
of this seems to be running off on its own," Pavlov said.

Some bills introduced in the past week deal with roadside testing to
prevent people from driving while under the influence of marijuana, he said.

"It's really opened up a nightmare in a lot of ways from an
enforcement standpoint," he said.

St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon agreed.

"There are a million loopholes in the law that makes it really
difficult," he said. "... We have to work with the law we have, but
it's hard to enforce."

He said investigations can be harder because medical marijuana users
are protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA).

"If you start an investigation and they have a (medical marijuana)
card, you won't know because it's HIPAA protected," Donnellon said.

Pavlov couldn't say how soon it would be before any clarifications to
the law might receive approval.

"There are so many implications beyond the ballot language," he said,
"and it's going to be challenging."