BEDFORD OKs REGULATIONS ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

Change Follows Moratorium on Growing Facilities

TEMPERANCE -- Bedford Township has amended its zoning laws to regulate
medical marijuana use, becoming the first government entity in Monroe
County to address the voter-approved state law.

The zoning ordinance, which was approved 7-0 last week by the township
board, amended the "home occupations" section of the township's zoning
law to comply with the voter-approved Michigan Medical Marijuana Act,
allowing individual qualifying registered patients and registered care
providers to possess and grow medical marijuana in their homes.

However, the zoning amendment forbids any marijuana activities that
involve dispensaries, compassion clubs, growing facilities and
cooperatives, nurseries, stores, manufacturing, or large-scale operations.

The zoning changes follow a six-month moratorium approved by the board
in August on taking applications for growing facilities and
dispensaries.

Township attorney Tom Graham said the amendment affirms zoning
locations for medical marijuana uses permitted in the law.

"The purpose of this ordinance is that certain large-scale marijuana
uses that have been applied for across the state of Michigan, and
there have been inquiries made in this township, are not to be
permitted," Mr. Graham told the board. "The basis for the uses are not
allowed are that is because the state statue did not enable those uses
and by not enabling the uses, we are taking the position they are not
permitted in any districts within the townships."

The zoning modifications also restrict primary caregivers from
changing the outside appearance or character of their homes to reflect
the marijuana use.

The changes to the township zoning code were recommended for approval
by the township Planning Commission in February. The amendment was
also reviewed last month by the Monroe County Planning Commission,
which took no action when it went before the board.

Robert Pevin, director of the county Planning Commission, said it is
unusual for the board to make a recommendation in dealing with zoning
proposals.

"It is not that they were opposed to what the township was doing. They
just felt they didn't want to endorse it," he said. "By not taking
action it is deemed approved."

Bedford Township was among the communities to address regulating
growing facilities by using a moratorium to allow time to sort out
zoning on the issue.

The city of Monroe, the village of Dundee, Mich., Frenchtown Township,
and Monroe Charter Township have also enacted moratoriums.

An ordinance regulating medical marijuana was prepared in Berlin
Charter Township and was reviewed by the township Planning Commission
as well as the county Planning Commission.

The proposal would keep medical marijuana facilities out of
residential areas and restrict it to commercial and industrial zoned
areas.