MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY OPENS WITHOUT A FIGHT IN RURAL FOREST TOWNSHIP

FOREST TWP., Michigan -- Genesee County's smallest township became
the newest place to buy medical marijuana today, and unlike the
fights other dispensaries have found in bigger cities and townships,
this one opened without a threat or legal scrap.

Tony Butler opened The Green Oasis, 10001 N. State Road, after more
than a year making sure his business was properly licensed and that
the township was well aware of what he was planning to do in a former
donut shop.

After answering lots of questions and working hard getting his
storefront ready, Butler's first customer was in the door by mid-morning.

"This is a nice, quiet country town," said Butler, 26, who grew up in
Otter Lake and attended Lakeville schools until ninth grade.
"Everybody knows everybody."

The Green Oasis is at least the sixth medical marijuana dispensary
operating in the county since state voters approved the Michigan
Medical Marijuana Act in 2008, clearing the way for licensed
caregivers to supply the drug to patients with a prescription.

Some local government officials have said they are still struggling
how to handle the businesses because federal law still prohibits the
possession or use of marijuana. Communities like Flint Township and
Fenton have instituted temporary moratoriums against dispensaries.

Forest Township Supervisor Valerie Pace said Butler has been in
constant contact with the township and appears to be within his
rights to open his business.

"He's been very thorough," Pace said. "It's been over a year since he
first contacted me."