LAWTON OKs MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

LAWTON -- The Lawton Village Council unanimously adopted an ordinance
Tuesday that regulates medical marijuana within the village.

Medical marijuana will be allowed, but the ordinance limits it to
registered qualified patients and registered primary caregivers.
Caregivers must register with the Lawton Police Department.

The committee had worked on following the Michigan's medical
marijuana law, which says such businesses can't be near schools or in
store fronts. Also, marijuana couldn't be used in a public place.

"We've been very careful," attorney John McNeil told the council.

Council member Dan Price agreed the committee had followed the intent
of the law.

"I think the intent of our ordinance is just to prevent things that
can go wrong," Price said.

Break-ins must be reported to the police.

"Cultivation/growing or distribution of marihuana shall not occur in
connection with/or at a location at which any other commodity,
product or service is also available," the language states.

Violations are civil infractions with a fine of up to $100 for the
first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses, plus the costs
of prosecution.