CITY APPROVES TEMOPORARY MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWTH AND
DISTRIBUTION

SOUTHGATE - City officials approved a temporary moratorium Wednesday
on permits for growing medical marijuana and setting up distribution
facilities.

The unanimous vote by the City Council will stop any permits from
being issued for six months.

City Attorney Edward Zelenak said the city hasn't been approached
about creating one of the facilities yet, but wanted to be prepared in advance.

Recently, the council requested a decision from the Michigan Attorney
General's Office on medical marijuana in commercial locations. No
opinion has been provided.

Thomas Coombs, the city's public safety director, recommended the
action in a memo to City Administrator Brandon Fournier.

"With no opinion being provided from the attorney general and the
fact that the state law does not address this issue, and the
continued confusion about this particular topic, it is my
recommendation that we consider a moratorium on medical marijuana in
commercial locations for a six-month period to gain a better handle
on how other communities will handle this controversial issue," Coombs said.

Communities across Michigan are addressing the same issue.

The city's resolution reads, in part:

"Allowing the sale or dispensation of medical marijuana would be
contrary to federal law (and) state law as the mere possession of
marijuana remains a misdemeanor offense and the manufacturer of
marijuana remains a felony and the city wants to ascertain the best
and safest path to compliance with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act
in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare."

Zelenak said the moratorium "is to allow the state the time to get
their act in order and clarify the statute."

Zelenak said he expects state leaders will clean up the murky law and
determine the amount, location, time, place and manner with which the
facilities should be allowed.