CITY EXTENDS MEDICAL MARIJUANA MORATORIUM

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. - The moratorium on medical marijuana was
extended through March 1, 2012 on Tuesday as the Sault Ste. Marie City
Commission apparently awaits clarification from the state courts,
before it approves any formal plan.

The city appears to be inching towards allowing home-based businesses,
when and if a final draft comes to the commission, but has been taking
in essence a "wait-and-see approach" before committing to any official
policy.

The medical marijuana moratorium extension will allow for additional
legal wrangling to play out in the weeks and months to come, providing
the city with the opportunity to write its own ordinance consistent
with state law assuming a resolution from the Michigan Supreme Court.

In other action, the city once again revisited its policy for rummage
and garage sale signs opting after a great deal of discussion to
enforce the sign ordinances on Monday through Thursday. This practice
will, by default, allow local residents to place their signs illegally
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as long they are removed before the
enforcement officer begins patrolling on Monday.

Finally, Bob Mately of The Bomb Shelter aired a host of grievances
regarding the ongoing construction and the effect it has had on his
business. Mately said he lost five months of operation last year due
to construction and another five months this year.

"What can you do for me to relieve the pressure of not having any
business," he asked.

Commissioner William Munsell explained the commission could not do
anything about his tax assessment, but Mately could appeal to the Tax
Board of Review in March.

In addressing Mately's other concerns, particularly the lack of a
sidewalk and road construction, City Engineer Linda Basista apologized
for the inconveniences and offered to work with Mately to reduce the
impact of construction on his business.