MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA EXTENDED

Still struggling with how to deal with a medical marijuana law
approved by voters two years ago, Brighton Township's Board of
Trustees this week extended a moratorium it first enacted in June on
medical marijuana businesses.

As in June, the township governing board feels the state hasn't
properly clarified rules associated with the 2008 Medical Marihuana
Act that made it legal for certain patients to use marijuana to
relieve their symptoms.

"We had a six-month review, and like most communities, we don't know
what the (Medical Marihuana Act) means, either," said Township
Manager Dan Bishop, noting that its language is "poorly and loosely written.

"It's hard to get a grasp on something like this. It's like catching
the wind," he added. "After a review of our research, we decided to
extend the moratorium."

Several Livingston County municipalities have handled the medical
marijuana issue in similar fashion because they feel pressured to
have some type of ordinance on the books in case a medical marijuana
dispensary aims to set up shop within their limits. In many cases,
local governments are conflicted between enforcing state law and
federal law, which continues to ban the use and possession of marijuana.

Hartland Township, the cities of Brighton and Howell and the village
of Pinckney have either approved moratoriums while zoning rules are
reviewed or simply zoned out buildings where marijuana would be
smoked or dispensed.

Green Oak Township recently approved minor zoning-ordinance changes
that incorporate state-approved medical marijuana use, possession and
growth into the township's rules for building uses. The township's
ordinance was updated to say that state-approved use, possession and
growth of medical marijuana are exempt from a prohibition against
building uses not in line with local, state and federal law.

"You need to have something on the books, because if someone comes in
and says, 'We want to grow marijuana here in Pinckney and open up a
dispensary,' we need to have a response," said Pinckney Village
President Rebecca Foster.

Pinckney currently has a moratorium on medical marijuana businesses,
with its Planning Commission researching a long-term solution to the issue.

Municipalities that opt not to enact a moratorium or ordinance
regarding medical marijuana could face problems, Foster said.

"They run the risk of having a (medical marijuana business) come in
their area with no way to handle it," she said.

In Michigan, the law allows people to use medical marijuana with a
doctor's certification and a state registration if they have
conditions such as cancer, HIV, Crohn's disease or other conditions
involving chronic pain, nausea or muscle spasms. Individuals must
apply to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Under the law, patients can possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12
marijuana plants for personal use. Caregivers, authorized by the
state to provide the marijuana, can possess a similar amount for each
patient, up to five people. Users and caregivers must keep all
marijuana under lock and key.

Bishop said he hopes Michigan legislators will review medical
marijuana in the 2011 term and make clarifications. Until that - or
something similar happens - Bishop said confusion over medical
marijuana in Michigan will likely continue.