CITY OF PORTAGE CONSIDERS 6-MONTH MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL-MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

PORTAGE - The city of Portage is considering implementing a six-month
moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries.

The Portage City Council is scheduled to hold a second hearing on a
proposed ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

The council held a first reading on Dec. 21.

Michigan voters in November 2008 approved a statewide ballot
initiative creating the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, but neither
the courts nor the Legislature have set guidelines or standards for
enforcing that act.

City Manager Maurice Evans said the city administration has been
studying what other communities are doing in enforcing the dispensing
of medical marijuana, but needs at least six months more to look into
what ordinance Portage should have.

Some communities have banned the dispensing of medical marijuana
because of a conflict with federal law. Others have allowed it under
certain guidelines and regulations.

The January action, if approved, would accept a temporary moratorium
ordinance for 180 days to allow the city to further study the medical
marijuana issue.

During that time, if the temporary ordinance is approved, no medical
marijuana dispensing operations would be allowed in the city.