Chelsea Planning Commission to take up proposed medical marijuana ban
The Chelsea Planning Commission will take up a proposed change to the city's zoning ordinance Tuesday that would prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
The proposal would amend the ordinance to submit the following words: "Uses for enterprises or purposes that are contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances are prohibited." Although Michigan residents voted in 2008 to make medical use of marijuana legal, municipalities can still enact ordinances to prohibit dispensaries by citing federal law.
Chelsea is considering banning medical marijuana clinics.
The Planning Commission's consideration of the zoning ordinance follows the Chelsea City Council's decision Sept. 27 to put a 60-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in the city while the city officials worked on the zoning change. The proposed change in the zoning ordinance must also be approved by the City Council.
Chelsea would be the second city in Washtenaw County to place an outright ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. Saline took similar action in June.
Other Washtenaw County communities, including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Dexter, are also in the process of deciding how to regulate medical marijuana clinics. Ypsilanti Township has already passed an ordinance regulating them.
The Planning Commission meeting begins a 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington St., Chelsea.
Comments
Rod Anderson
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 1 p.m.
Will be interesting to see what the Planning Commission proposes. Personally, I am not convinced that marijuana has any demonstrable medical benefit other than the narcotic effect. Still, the argument that the voters approved this initiative and their voice should be heard strikes me as a strong one. Chelsea voters approved it 2-to-1, so shouldn't we allow marijuana dispensaries? BTW, as the article says, Chelsea is in the process of developing a policy, and the only official action has been to defer action a couple of months while the policy is developed in accordance with current law and regulation. Chastising Chelsea for non-implementation is more than a little premature.
michiganpoorboy
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 3:49 a.m.
Smoking dope is for fools.
Basic Bob
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
This is hypocritical behavior as long as alcohol and tobacco are legal. And these have no medical benefit. Maybe they should ban party stores, bars, and smoke shops. The government should treat marijuana for any use the same way as alcohol and tobacco - license it and tax it heavily.
james papsdorf
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 10:32 a.m.
Fascinating History of US Move to criminalize Marijuana:| "Marijuana is an addictive drug the use of which leads to insanity, criminality and death!!!" Henry Anslinger who was the first head of the [early] DEA. The History of the Non-Medical Use of Drugs in the United States by Charles Whitebread, Professor of Law, USC Law School A Speech to the California Judges Association 1995 annual conference http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/history/whiteb1.htm
AA
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
Chelsea is wrong and backwards. This was approved by the voters of the state of Michigan.
james papsdorf
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
Prominent Law Profs Support Prop 19 in Calif!! And Chelsea has a problem with a Medical Marijuana Dispensary!!!! Give me a break! "CANNABIS CULTURE - A group of prominent law professors have penned a letter in support of California's Proposition 19 to legalize and regulate marijuana. Calling marijuana prohibition "a wasteful and ineffective policy", the group of over 65 professors from across the political spectrum including UCLAs Eugene Volokh, Georgetowns Randy Barnett, Harvards Alan Dershowitz and Cardozos Barry Scheck, (see bottom of page for complete list) have signed a letter called "Law Professors Say Control and Tax Cannabis" at the Yes on Prop 19 website. http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2010/10/14/Prominent-Law-Professors-Californias-Proposition-19
Chuck
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
You are trying to over rule the will of the people in the state of Michigan who overwhelmingly voted FOR this initiative. All because of your prejudice and biased beliefs. Why not get an education instead of jumping to ridiculous conclusions based on old propaganda?
michiganpoorboy
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 2:51 a.m.
This great news..........
a2d3
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 6:37 p.m.
Why vote?
Homeland Conspiracy
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 6:32 p.m.
Why vote?