DEXTER: COMMISSION SENDS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORDINANCE TO COUNCIL

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the changes to
an ordinance allowing medical marijuana dispensaries Monday night.

A public hearing was heard for each of the issues, and around 25
concerned residents filled the Dexter Senior Center to discuss the
issues with the commission.

Several people from Dexter, the surrounding communities and even as
far as Macomb County were at the meeting to speak in public to the
planning commission.

Mike Robb of Dexter was the first to discuss the issue.

"I am not in favor of it," Robb said. "I don't think it is something
we need in this area."

Others in the audience felt differently.

Sarah Keywell of Dexter said she has Multiple Sclerosis and needs it
so she can function and be with her children.

"I know people in Dexter smoke pot," Keywell said. "Whether or not
you want to believe that people will do it whether or not they are allowed to."

She pointed out that without the drug and the relief she gets from it
she would not be able to eat and she couldn't have the kind of life she enjoys.

Jay Bykowski of Macomb County drove the distance to tell the
commission that a ban would stop him from moving to the area. He said
he would like to move to Dexter and pursue having a business that
would allow him to open a dispensary here.

"My wife and I are looking for a community to move into to," Bykowski
said. "I think this would be a good opportunity for us."

He stated that he was not someone who fit the description of a marijuana user.

His wife, Misty pointed out that smoking marijuana is not the only
way that patients can use the drug.

"It is not just for smoking," Misty said. "There are broader ways to
use it. People can use it in edibles or in vaporizers.

"They will go to the dispensaries to be healed. It is extremely
beneficiary to the patients."

Allison Bishop, community development manager, said that the Council
would discuss putting the issue on the agenda for the Feb. 14
meeting. The next meeting for the council is Jan. 10.

Since 2008, when voters passed the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act,
cities have been trying to adopt different measures to deal with the
new law of the state.

Several cities throughout the state are currently involved in legal
battles pertaining this issue. The American Civil Liberties Union has
sued the City of Wyoming for its stance, as well as Livonia, West
Bloomfield and others.

Nearby Saline and Chelsea have chosen to ban dispensaries in their cities.