JACKSON CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO IMPOSE SIX-MONTH MORATORIUM ON
ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

Jackson is now under a six-month moratorium on the establishment of
medical marijuana dispensaries.

The City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday on the final reading of an
ordinance that imposes a moratorium on the non-residential
cultivation, dispensing and use of medical marijuana.

Councilman Carl Breeding said he voted against the ordinance out of
concern for the quality of life of medical marijuana users and was
cheered loudly by several in the audience.

But City Manager Warren Renando said dispensaries that now exist
would be "grandfathered" and would not be closed as a result of the
moratorium. "It will not hurt anybody in this room," Renando said.

City officials do not know how many dispensaries exist.

Members of the Jackson County Compassion Club have been outspoken
against the ordinance. A few who spoke Tuesday alluded to as many as
eight dispensaries but did not identify them.

Renando said the dispensaries should come forward now so they can
remain open. Renando said when the moratorium expires, the city will
regulate the location and possibly the hours of dispensaries much
like bars, adult book stores and massage parlors are regulated now.

Jackson City Council: Medical marijuana vote Medical marijuana
patient Mary Price addresses the Jackson City Council before they
vote on possible moratorium. Watch video Council was advised to
impose the moratorium to give the courts, Legislature and Michigan
Department of Community Health time to resolve conflicts with the law.

Roger Maufort, founder and president of the Jackson County Compassion
Club, said the law is clear and was written to protect medical
marijuana patients from arrest.

"There are no gray areas in this law. It's black and white," Maufort said.

Mary Price, a medical marijuana patient, said the club helps those
who are suffering deal with pain.

"The Jackson County Compassion Club has saved my life in many ways
and it has saved many other people's lives as well," Price said.