BA EYES MEDICAL POT DISPENSARY BAN

BAD AXE - City council on Monday approved the first reading of an
ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries in Bad Axe.

Though the ordinance states its purpose is to "regulate the location
and operation of 'primary caregivers' operating 'medical marijuana
dispensaries' under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008," the
ordinance includes a statement similar to one county planners are
considering adopting in that it prohibits dispensaries.

On Oct. 6, the Huron County Planning Commission set a public hearing
for Nov. 3 for ordinance amendments that include language stating all
uses must comply with local, state and federal laws. Because medical
marijuana use/growing is prohibited by federal law, the amendments
would prohibit individuals from using/growing marijuana in the 14
townships under the county's zoning jurisdiction.

The proposed amendments to the Huron County's ordinance do not
specifically state "marijuana," but pertain to all uses, in that any
use has to comply with local, state and federal law.

The ordinance that council approved the first reading of at Monday's
Bad Axe City Council meeting directly pertains to medical marijuana
dispensaries. The six-page ordinance sets out a variety of
requirements specifying which areas medical marijuana dispensaries
are prohibited.

Also, the ordinance has a variety of requirements dispensaries would
have to follow, including maintaining a list of patients that is
subject to review by law enforcement and Michigan Department of
Community Health members. The ordinance also prohibits consumption in
any manner of marijuana on dispensary premises, and requires growers
to label marijuana in child-proof packaging that specifically states
the quantity and percentage of THC. In addition, the ordinance
requires dispensaries keep a ledger of all transactions, including
the names of who the marijuana is sold to and the times and dates it's sold.

The ordinance then goes on to state, "Every 'medical marijuana
dispensary' must comply with and not be contrary to all local,
county, state and federal laws."

When asked why the ordinance has so many requirements if the end
result is a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, Mayor
Jim Hicks said he is going to discuss the issue with the city's attorney.