TOWNSHIP SEEKS MIDDLE GROUND ON ZONING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Green Oak Township has reached a "center of the road" solution to
balance local zoning rules with Michigan's medical marijuana law,
Supervisor Mark St. Charles said Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the township Board of Trustees introduced minor
zoning-ordinance changes that would incorporate state-approved
medical marijuana use, possession and growth into the township's
rules for building uses.

The township ordinance would be updated to say that state-approved
use, possession and growth of medical marijuana are exempt from a
prohibition against building uses not in line with local, state and
federal law.

St. Charles said the change would honor the law allowing the approved
use of medical marijuana use while protecting local building rules.

Final adoption of the ordinance change is expected at the board's
Dec. 15 meeting.

Township officials began debating in public in March how to comply
with the medical marijuana law within township zoning rules.

Among other communities, Brighton Township, Hartland Township,
Brighton, Howell and Pinckney have also taken steps to modify their
zoning rules in response to the law.