OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP PUTS MORATORIUM ON NEW OR EXPANDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP - Oshtemo Township has enacted a six-month moratorium
on new or expanding medical marijuana businesses.

The Township Board unanimously approved the moratorium on second
reading Tuesday. It is intended to give the township Planning
Commission time to develop a proposed ordinance regulating medical
marijuana.

Many municipalities in Southwest Michigan and elsewhere in the state
have enacted similar moratoriums since state voters in 2008 approved
legalizing use of marijuana for approved medical reasons.

Oshtemo Township's moratorium does not prohibit licensed physicians
from prescribing medical marijuana. It also does not apply to existing
operations where one caregiver grows medical marijuana for up to five
patients, or where a patient grows medical marijuana for his or her
own use, according to Township Attorney James Porter.

In his assessment, large operations and dispensaries are not allowed
under the state law, Porter said.

"If you pass this, it's doing more harm than good, and I hope you
understand that," Chris Lowry, co-owner of Midwest Compassionate Care,
told township officials at Tuesday's meeting.

Lowry, who was joined by co-owner Brian VanTatenhove, shared stories
of some medical marijuana patients with whom the business has worked
and urged township officials "to work with us" as they develop the
ordinance.

Trustee Jim Grace said a committee is being formed to discuss the
direction the township should take.

"This is new to everybody," Grace said.

"We need some sort of direction. The committee will get it to us as
soon as possible so we can move forward from there."