[420 Girl]

Green Oak Township officials are a step closer to amending township zoning rules to comply with the state law on medical marijuana.

The township Planning Commission last week recommended approval of minor zoning-ordinance changes that would incorporate state-approved medical marijuana use, possession and growth into the township's rules for building uses.

Township officials began debating in public in March how to comply with the medical marijuana law within township zoning rules.

The township's ordinance changes would be updated to say that state-approved use, possession and growth of medical marijuana are exempt from a prohibition against building uses not in line with local, state and federal law.

The proposed zoning change now goes to the Livingston County Planning Commission, and will return to the township Board of Trustees for final approval.

If approved, the changes will end the township's debate on complying with the new law, said Bob Moran, commission chairman. Moran said the township will respond to any changes in the law, which many agree is vague.

"There's a lot of controversy, and there's questions that need to be answered," Moran said.

"No one understands it. There's a lot of areas that questions have to be answered," he added.

Brighton Township, Hartland Township, Brighton, Howell and Pinckney have also struggled to find solutions to incorporating the new law with their zoning rules.

The medical marijuana program is intended to allow patients with debilitating illnesses to grow and possess marijuana for medical purposes. Those approved receive cards that indicate their participation in the program.

Those eligible for the program must have or be treated for ailments that fall within three categories of debilitating illnesses. The list includes cancer, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimer's disease and AIDS.

The law doesn't allow the state to supply patients with seeds or starter plants, or give advice on how to grow medical marijuana.

It also doesn't protect users or their caregivers from federal prosecution, or from having their marijuana seized by federal authorities.

Terms like "marijuana club" and "marijuana bar" are not clearly defined in the law.


NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
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Author: Christopher Behnan
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