VILLAGE TO ADDRESS MEDICAL MARIJUANA LATER THIS MONTH

LAKE ODESSA, Mich. - Another Ionia County area is preparing to tackle
the issue of medical marijuana, which has proven to be controversial
topic in the cities of Ionia and Belding.

The Lake Odessa Village Council will be holding a public hearing on
the matter at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Page Memorial Building and will
discuss a ordinance proposing a six-month moratorium on issuing
permits or licenses for the sale or dispensation of medical marijuana.

"We're just trying to stay on the pro-active side of things so we can
do the right thing," said Lake Odessa Village Manager Mark Bender, who
added the village has not yet seen any official requests for medical
marijuana privileges.

If the moratorium is approved at the meeting, it will go into effect
days after publication.

Bender said the moratorium will give the village officials to consult
with a legal counsel and see if there will be answers provided at the
judicial level.

"(It is there) until we can better get our arms around what the
judicial level can do," he added. "We want to make sure all ordinances
are consistent along court cases and other information."

Bender said he believes the law was poorly written and he hopes the
Michigan legislature will see its shortcomings and fix what is needed.

"We're far from the first municipality to establish a moratorium on
medical marijuana," he said.

For those who wish for more information about the ordinance, it can be
examined at the Page Memorial Building during regular business hours.
Members of the community will also have the opportunity to speak and
share opinions on the subject during the Feb. 21 meeting.

The Page Memorial Building is located at 839 Fourth Avenue. For more
information, call the Lake Odessa Village offices at 616-374-7110.