MI - Oronoko plots approach to new marijuana law

Oronoko plots approach to new marijuana law

By DEBRA HAIGHT - H-P Correspondent
Published: Thursday, May 14, 2009 1:06 PM EDT

BERRIEN SPRINGS - Oronoko Township is joining the list of municipalities trying to find a way to deal with Michigan's new medical marijuana law.

Township Attorney Robert Landgraf said the matter is being addressed in the township Planning Commission and police department and through discussions with Berrien Springs village officials so that uniform measures can be adopted.

At this week's Oronoko Township Board meeting, Landgraf said the medical marijuana law creates significant law enforcement and quality-of-life problems for municipalities.

He said the city of Niles enacted an ordinance regulating medical marijuana earlier this week to deal with matters such as not wanting caregivers to congregate and not wanting marijuana to be grown outside an enclosed area.

He said some communities are working to regulate marijuana use for medical purposes by using zoning rules similar to those used to regulate sexually oriented businesses.

He said most municipal attorneys believe problems with the new law will remain in limbo until they can be ruled on in courts or until the Attorney General sets down guidelines.

In Southwest Michigan, he said a goal is to have uniform rules.

"Our goal is not to prohibit what people can lawfully do but regulate the side effects," he said.

He and Police Chief Milt Agay said the new law has made life more difficult for police departments. In Oronoko Township, officers have already had to deal with a traffic stop where people claim they're using marijuana for medical purposes.

People must produce verification from the Michigan Department of Community Health to verify their claim that they can legally possess marijuana. Marijuana will be seized and disposed of unless verification is provided within five business days.