Court Sides With Township's Marijuana Law

[Hempcheff]

Whatt??? sign the paper convict, sign the paper....

 

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120226/NEWS02/202260376

 

Medical marijuana users in Bloomfield Township will have to register with the township, under a ruling handed down by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris.

 

The township had been sued by Richard Roe, claiming that the township's ordinance requiring that medical marijuana suppliers and users register with the township is invalid under the state's medical marijuana law.

 

In siding with the township, Morris ruled in a summary disposition, “This court declines the request for declaratory relief.” It concluded the suit was not valid because the plaintiff had not actually been penalized by the township's law. “In this instance, plaintiff's argument concerning the impact of the subject ordinance upon him is hypothetical ...”

 

“No one has been prosecuted,” said William Hampton, the township's attorney. Police Capt. Steve Cook said only a few persons have registered with the police.

 

The township put the registration requirement in the ordinance in the interests of public safety.

 

If police are called on a report of someone selling marijuana and don't know that the person is licensed and registered with the township, they could assume the person is a criminal and act accordingly.

 

“It has a potential for violence,” Hampton said.

 

The court's ruling, however, doesn't address whether the township's ordinance is superseded by state law and if that in turn is superseded by federal law.

 

Under federal law, sale and possession of marijuana is illegal, but the federal government has said it is not enforcing that law, leaving state laws allowing sale and use in place.

 

It is not clear yet if the ruling will be appealed. However, it virtually invites further court consideration. “While this court declines to issue a declaratory ruling under the facts presented in this case, it does recognize the need for appellate judicial guidance as to the application of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and its relationship to federal laws that criminalise the possession of marijuana,” it states.

 

The ruling is the latest in a series of court decisions challenging local medical marijuana laws. Last December, Circuit Court Judge Colleen O'Brien tossed out a lawsuit filed by two persons challenging the medical marijuana laws of Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.

 

That decision included virtually the same language used by Morris is her ruling. “An actual controversy does not exist where the injury sought to be prevented is hypothetical,” O'Brien wrote.

 

Michigan voters approved the medical marijuana law in 2008. Since then it has been frequently criticized as being vague and confusing.

 

“This is uncharted territory,” Cook said.

[bobandtorey]

Judge Denise Langford Morris she is are judge

[+JuztBudz]

Don't forget, a lot of these judges are up for re-election soon. Let's nail 'em for their misuse of the court system in order to muddy OUR laws. Legislation of laws from the bench is misuse in one of its worst forms. Power to the voters! j.b.

[Timmahh]

VOTE HER ARSE OUT

[Hyhopes]

Ok where do I go to register my bottle of beer and I need to know where my Mother can register her Vicodin and I have a bottle asprin I hope I dont get caught with because I forgot to register and hey its a good thing I dont smoke cigaretts anymore.

 

:angry:

Hyhopes

[bobandtorey]

VOTE HER ARSE OUT

 

and we were told by the MMMA to support her and to vote for her as a supreme court judge

[Estimated Prophet]

Register with the county so that police know to ignore all marijuana related complaints against the card holder.

Yeah right, that sounds real legit.

[thanks2]

A very misleading title. Just because the guy did not have standing does not mean the court ruled for the twp. Since the guy does have to register, I would say he does have standing.

[Kingdiamond]

They gotta find you first right?

 

In no way am I'm voluntarily registering and exposing my legal status to anyone just because 5 talking suits feel they know whats better for me than the 3 million compassionate people who voted for the medical marijuana ACT of 2008.

[Kingdiamond]

Register with the county so that police know to ignore all marijuana related complaints against the card holder.

Yeah right, that sounds real legit.

I hear that i wonder if they give you a shirt with a big red bullseye on the back when you register ?

[solabeirtan]

Two wrongs don't make it right. Especially in this instance. They still can NOT enforce this, legally.

 

Talk about showing your pimple covered donkey. This is just another embarassing show of ignorance of our "trusted " local elected officials.

 

Vote often. Ron Paul tomorrow !!

[kruztydj]

From what I read the court ruled it nol and void and dropped his suit because he wasn't charge with the OR. That's because they can't charge anyone as the MMMA trumps that OR and ALL OR's. That silly judge knows this as well and is the reason they didn't charge him/her.

[CleanD]

A very misleading title. Just because the guy did not have standing does not mean the court ruled for the twp. Since the guy does have to register, I would say he does have standing.

 

i agree... their bad, really. u really need the city/police to act first & bring about actual damages, then u'v got a case. what are the damages from registering locally for something you have to also do with the state?

 

 

 

I hear that i wonder if they give you a shirt with a big red bullseye on the back when you register ?

 

i'v actually been in places where the local police dept & city counsel had/have registration in place... and zoning requirments so everything is even on a map. people register their alarm permits with the police even, and they routinely send cruisers to patrol the concentrated areas of commercially zoned facilities... but home caregivers would also register. when/if a neighbor calls upon the police, they come & are very respectful & considerate of your rights. in fact, there are sane laws on the books that actually spell out & protect your rights, from abuses by the police... they are actually held accountable & liable for your plants/medications, so they aren't looking to come in guns a blazing, but rather to ensure you are legit & to then move on to their more demanding & important tasks related to real crime. they actually would respond to your pleas should someone try to break in & steal from you.

 

there is a rational approach to the whole thing. we need to move past the war mentality of us against them... it's basically endemic anymore. and yeah, i know, they started it... ;-)

[CleanD]

i will admit that they did leak the map on line... by 'accident'... so there are concerns still yet.