Couple Start Center For Marijuana Users

[nigel]

http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20100509/NEWS01/5090312/Couple-start-center-for-marijuana-users

 

KIMBALL TWP. -- A local couple has opened a medical marijuana compassion center, a gathering place they said is needed and a business that has township officials riled.

 

 

 

 

"There is a great need for this in our community. We have a lot of sick people," said Jim Amsdill, who opened the Blue Water Compassion Center with his wife, Debra.

 

Jim Amsdill said the center opened in the Sawmill Commons, 4731 Lapeer Road, about two months ago.

 

He said the response has been overwhelming, with a few new patients stopping in each day.

 

"We didn't realize the need was that bad. ... we knew we had a problem here, but we never expected to see as much as we have," he said.

 

The center is a gathering place for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, he said. They distribute information about medical marijuana and can assist people through the process of becoming registered with the state. A physician is expected to be brought onto the staff within a month.

 

The center also helps determine which strain of marijuana would best suit an individual patient's needs and how it should be taken, Jim Amsdill said.

 

Debra Amsdill said registered patients also are able to obtain their medication at the center through a network of state-registered caregivers.

 

But while Amsdill said they are helping residents, the township said they are violating a moratorium.

 

The township board approved a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana compassion centers in April.

 

Rob Usakowski, township supervisor, said the center was issued a ticket for violating the moratorium about a week ago. The township could continue ticketing the center every day it's in violation.

 

The Amsdills are considering filing a civil suit claiming the township is violating their right to operate the center.

 

The moratorium was put in place to give officials time to develop a zoning ordinance and find where a compassion center would best fit since the law doesn't mention them, Usakowski said.

 

Such centers exist in other states that have passed medical marijuana legislation, and the laws governing such centers vary by state.

[bobandtorey]

http://www.thetimesh...marijuana-users

 

KIMBALL TWP. -- A local couple has opened a medical marijuana compassion center, a gathering place they said is needed and a business that has township officials riled.

 

 

 

 

"There is a great need for this in our community. We have a lot of sick people," said Jim Amsdill, who opened the Blue Water Compassion Center with his wife, Debra.

 

Jim Amsdill said the center opened in the Sawmill Commons, 4731 Lapeer Road, about two months ago.

 

He said the response has been overwhelming, with a few new patients stopping in each day.

 

"We didn't realize the need was that bad. ... we knew we had a problem here, but we never expected to see as much as we have," he said.

 

The center is a gathering place for medical marijuana patients and caregivers, he said. They distribute information about medical marijuana and can assist people through the process of becoming registered with the state. A physician is expected to be brought onto the staff within a month.

 

The center also helps determine which strain of marijuana would best suit an individual patient's needs and how it should be taken, Jim Amsdill said.

 

Debra Amsdill said registered patients also are able to obtain their medication at the center through a network of state-registered caregivers.

 

But while Amsdill said they are helping residents, the township said they are violating a moratorium.

 

The township board approved a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana compassion centers in April.

 

Rob Usakowski, township supervisor, said the center was issued a ticket for violating the moratorium about a week ago. The township could continue ticketing the center every day it's in violation.

 

The Amsdills are considering filing a civil suit claiming the township is violating their right to operate the center.

 

The moratorium was put in place to give officials time to develop a zoning ordinance and find where a compassion center would best fit since the law doesn't mention them, Usakowski said.

 

Such centers exist in other states that have passed medical marijuana legislation, and the laws governing such centers vary by state.

 

Thank you

[christinax4]

i am in awe of people like this. good luck, keep up the fight!