SOUTHFIELD'S PROPOSED MEDICAL POT DISTRICT IS A NO-GO

Southfield's City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night against
proposed zoning regulations that would have allowed medical marijuana
growing facilities in the city's light-industrial districts.

The vote came after more than a dozen residents and two lawyers
debated the validity of the zoning. Council members then voted to
extend the city's 180-day moratorium -- set to end Friday -- for
another 180 days.

"Maybe it's not our job to regulate at all," said Councilman Kenson
Siver, maintaining that he still supports the Michigan Medical
Marihuana Act passed in 2008, but adding that the council needs more
information before passing ordinances. "Maybe it's something the
state should figure out and not put us in this dilemma."

The proposal would have allowed caregivers licensed through the state
to grow up to 12 plants for themselves and 12 each for five licensed
patients in light-industrial districts along 8 Mile and Telegraph roads.

Councilman Sidney Lantz, the council's most vocal opponent, said
those in need can buy pills for THC, marijuana's active ingredient,
through pharmacies.

It "will increase crime, will cost you money, and these people who
are pushing it now don't know what they're doing," Lantz said. "This
could be the worst thing that could happen to you."

Southfield lawyer Neil Rockind called the proposed zoning's
intentions great, but said the proposal violates state law by
dictating where caregivers can grow and forcing them to disperse
confidential personal information. "This ordinance will be the
subject of a lawsuit" if the measure would have passed, Rockind said.

John Smith, a resident since 1975 with a wife who is a hospice nurse,
said he opposed the law only because he thought it would affect those
growing at home. Southfield Planning Director Terry Croad said the
proposal addresses only caregiver growing and that residents can
still grow plants for personal use.