DOWAGIAC'S 'POT' MEASURE ADVANCES

DOWAGIAC - Dowagiac officials are one step closer to amending the
zoning ordinance to regulate the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

During a Dowagiac City Council meeting Monday night, Mayor Don Lyons
recognized the controversy surrounding the issue.

"I cannot remember an issue that we've had as much debate as this
one," he said.

The City Council approved the first readings of the proposed
amendments to the zoning ordinance. Dowagiac City Manager Kevin
Anderson said he expects passage at the next City Council meeting on
July 25.

The city of Dowagiac is one of several municipalities in southwestern
Michigan taking steps to implement Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act,
approved by voters in 2008.

"We are not the only community struggling with it," Anderson
said.

Under that law, patients who receive state permission can keep or grow
the drug. Qualified caregivers can also assist up to five patients
with up to 12 plants per patient.

But Anderson criticized the "broad language" of the law's guidelines
and parameters.

"It just tends to raise more questions than answers," the city manager
said.

With Dowagiac's proposal, Anderson said a state license and city
zoning requirement would qualify a location as a place to use the drug.

He said the proposal would prevent large operations and allow small
quantities for personal use, but not within 1,000 feet of schools and
churches.

"What this really gets to is where growing can take place," Anderson
said.

According to the city manager, one concern raised at a public hearing
earlier this month about the proposal was the conflict between some
form of registry available to law enforcement and patient rights.
Anderson predicted future debate.

"In the coming years, I would expect that this topic comes back to us
several times," he said.