FLINT TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES POSTPONES VOTING ON MEDICAL
MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Flint Township will be without a medical
marijuana ordinance for a while longer.

The township board approved a motion to hold off voting on the
ordinance after several people raised concerns about the proposed
measure during public comment. Board members also expressed concerns
about the legality of the law, which is being contested.

"You read all these things in the paper and any normal citizen would
get confused," said Trustee George Menoutes.

Nick Pannesidi, owner of the Michigan Wellness Center, 3095 South Dye
Road, raised concerns about a section of the ordinance that states:
"The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act does not authorize marijuana
stores, dispensaries, compassion centers or any medical marijuana
business that may market to a wide customer base."

"I would definitely fall under that category that would try to
provide services to a wide customer base -- I offer information to
anyone to find out if they qualify for the medical marijuana
program," Pannesidi said during public comment.

The Michigan Wellness Center provides information to its patients
about medical marijuana, the law and helps guide them through the
process of obtaining a medical marijuana card. It is not a
dispensary, Pannesidi said.

"I think this ordinance goes outside of what the law says and could
potentially spell legal problems for the township of Flint," he said
during public comment.

Eric Gunnels, co-founder and co-directorof the All Natural Health and
Wellness Center in Clio, said he was there to advocate for patients
rights and that medical marijuana was misunderstood.

"Primarily, I think what many people miss is the function of
education," Gunnels said during public comment. "I recommend to the
board and the community that these businesses be allowed to exist and
you keep an open mind about this because it's simply one of the
greatest misunderstood subjects of all time."

Flint Township currently has a moratorium on medical marijuana
facilities set to expire Oct. 4.

Trustee Frank Kasle said since they still had time before the
moratorium expired, they should wait to vote on the ordinance and try
to clear up some of the confusion about the law.

"I think the provision that some people have spoken about marketing
to a wide customer base, this may be a provision that either isn't
necessary or may be harmful," he said. "I don't think it hurts to
clarify these things that have come up."

The ordinance would prohibit medical marijuana businesses from being
closer than 1,500 feet to schools, churches, public park, child care
facilities, a residential district or an area with an existing regulated use.

The board voted 5-2 to postpone voting on the ordinance, with
Supervisor Karyn Miller and Clerk Kim Courts voting against.