Medical Marijuana Rules To Be Discussed In B.c.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA RULES TO BE DISCUSSED IN B.C.

Commissioners to Weigh in on Proposed Regulations

Battle Creek city commissioners will have their first chance to formally weigh in on proposed medical marijuana regulations at their meeting Tuesday.

Among the new rules, the draft ordinances would require growers, also called caregivers, to obtain a city license for operating in certain commercial zones.

Patients licensed by the state could grow and use marijuana in their own homes with a city license, but if they are renters, they would need written permission from their landlords.

Homes with more than two patients plus their designated caregivers would require a city license.

Under the proposal, compassion clubs, which are locations for medical marijuana support services, could operate in office zones. Operations focused on distributing or consuming the drug would be banned.

Medical marijuana users and advocates have said the city's rules would severely limit patients' access to vital medications and could open up the city to lawsuits for not following the state law.

Michigan's medical marijuana law allows people to obtain a license to legally use the drug if they suffer from cancer, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures or other conditions.

The proposed city ordinances will be introduced Tuesday. A vote to adopt the ordinances could come Dec. 21.

Still undecided is whether patients should be allowed to use the drug at compassion clubs. The city planning commission last week approved language to allow such usage, but the city commission has final say.

Vice Mayor Chris Simmons said Friday he was speaking with other commissioners and gauging support for an amendment to stop use at the clubs.

Simmons, who said he supported the 2008 ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana in Michigan, said his main concern is that the city complies with the state law.

"The law as enacted put in the state constitution vague language, so it leaves cities like Battle Creek in a real awkward position," he said.

Commissioner Bill Morris said he felt the recommended ordinances brought too much regulation.

"I think a lot of that stuff is probably going to have to go," he said. "I think we're just going to have to limit how much is going to be grown."

Other commissioners said Friday they were still going over the recommendations and weren't ready to give a clear yes or no vote.

Commissioner Laurie Sullivan said she was waiting for information from the police department on whether marijuana issues have risen since the drug became legal for medical purposes in 2009.

Commissioner Andy Yankama said he had concerns about how securely growers and patients keep their medical marijuana, something the state law addresses.

"You don't want things like this to really get out of hand," Yankama said. "There are a lot of things there that really I'm concerned about, and I don't want our young people to get this stuff in the street and mess their minds up."

Battle Creek City Commission, Dec 7th 2010 , 7 p.m., commission chambers, Room 301, City Hall.


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