SWARTZ CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
ORDINANCE, RE-ELECTS OFFICERS

SWARTZ CREEK, Michigan -- Questions about phrasing in a medical
marijuana draft ordinance dominated discussion at the Swartz Creek
planning commission meeting, Tuesday night.

Commission members expressed concern about parts of the ordinance
including determining distance from residential zones and the number
of inspections the city was required to make.

The ordinance requires dispensaries and growth facilities to not be
within 1,000 feet of areas such as schools, but commission members
expressed concern that the distance, coupled with current zoning,
would make the ordinance too restrictive.

Although the commission didn't take any action on the distance
requirements, it directed the city manager's office to conduct more
research into the issue.

The commission also struck language in the ordinance which would
require police to inspect dispensaries and growth facilities at least
once a month.

"Don't force them to do it on a regular basis, allow them to do it on
a random basis," said C. David Hurt, commission vice chairman.

Striking the language will reduce stress on the police department by
not requiring them to inspect monthly but still provides for random,
unannounced inspections, Hurt said.

The commission plans to continue discussion and possibly take action
on the ordinance at it's next meeting in March pending further study
by the city.

The commission also re-elected members to the chair, vice chair and
secretary positions.

The commission retained Douglas Stephens as chair, C. David Hurt as
vice chair and Paul Bueche as secretary.

Bueche also is the Swartz Creek city manager.