[420 Girl]

Michigan - Clawson and Royal Oak aren't alone as they struggle with whether or not to allow medical marijuana dispensaries and, if they are allowed, how they would be regulated.

The city of Livonia recently prohibited such dispensaries, something some Royal Oak officials say could end up in a lawsuit that the city would lose, because 72 percent of Michigan voters approved permitting them in November 2008.

Police chiefs in both towns argue that federal law prohibiting marijuana “pharmacies” takes precedence over state law. Usually, a state law can be more restrictive than a federal law, but not less.

Local officials are right in thinking that a lawsuit could occur, no matter what ordinance is passed, and a costly and time-consuming lawsuit is just what no municipality in Michigan needs right now.

There are other legitimate concerns expressed by the Clawson police chief over the potential for increased criminal activity — and the ability to enforce whatever ordinance is passed. The state's economic climate is making it difficult to keep police forces at appropriate staffing levels. The issue is bound to complicate law enforcement efforts.

Nevertheless, there is another side to the story — the side faced by who-knows-how-many people whose every waking moment is spent suffering and without the relief that marijuana is said to bring.

Mention the subject of marijuana, and there is a whole lot of mental baggage that comes along with the discussion. This discussion today is not meant to rule on whether marijuana is harmful or not, but we've all been taught, at one point in our lives, that the use of marijuana is dangerous and wrong. It's an ingrained message that's difficult to ignore as society considers other potential for the drug.

Yet there seems to be a keen irony to the situation, particularly in Royal Oak, with its many bars and plans for a Winter Beer Festival and another event simply called Vodka Vodka.

Certainly it would be ridiculous to even think of going back to the prohibition of alcohol, and yet, think of how many lives have been maimed and lost due to drunken drivers.

And think about our young people who think the only way to have fun is to get stupidly drunk.

Consider also the police staff hours used to patrol our roads, to make drunken driving arrests and to make sure that alcohol is not served to those who are underage.

What is worse, a marijuana dispensary or a family that loses a loved one due to a drunken driver?

Royal Oak will take up the issue again following the city attorney's return from a conference at which the medical use of marijuana is discussed.
Devising an ordinance will be difficult, no matter which way officials go on the issue, and being in the company of other municipalities grappling with it will be of little comfort.


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