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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Field Report 11/16 - Marijuana Laws in Detroit at the NWAC

by Richard C. Clement 
     Medical Marijuana Cardholder and Aide to Councilmember Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr.



                On Thursday November 16, 2015 at the Northwest Activities Center, the Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform held a meeting to address the proposed Detroit ordinances for Marijuana business in Detroit. CSCR members consist of the general public, marijuana patients, business owners, and government officials that support sensible and responsible Marijuana Laws.  Audience members were notified that if the ordinance is enacted into law as written, a ballot referendum will be initiated preventing it from being enforced will be filed. This ordinance was written to benefit a very small number of current store locations at the expense of other locations. If enough valid voter signatures are attained, then implementation of the ordinance will be suspended until the next general election in 2016.

While some in the audience chose to be very disrespectful of the speakers, the message was made very clear. Citizens will be given the opportunity to implement an ordinance that is sensible and, will treat Marijuana business like any other business in Detroit with only a 1000 buffer from a school.  All other provisions and proposals in the ordinances #21 and #64 will be repealed and made sensible. The citizens feel that they were being lied to by their government when provisions for a 1000 foot buffer around a religious institution was placed back into the ordinance after being removed by the City Planning Commission.  This was done after everyone spoke at public comment and left for the evening.

No other business in the City of Detroit or anywhere else gives a Church a 1000 buffer to do business, no other business is required to be 1000 feet from each other, and no other business is required stop operations at certain hours.  The felony provisions that prevent convicted felons from being a caregiver is another form of discrimination that creates joblessness.  Felons who have served their debt to society and have no intentions whatsoever to return to the system need to get some respect. Just look at Martha Stewart, Sam Riddle, Charlie Beckam, they are doing fine after being given a second chance and doing extremely well.

The issues of working hours, and drive through service shall be decided by the voters instead of a vocal minority that took the time to file a petition with the city clerk. We truly appreciate the service to the people by Councilmember James Tate. This is part of the job of an elected official and he is doing it very well. However, a decision of this magnitude that involves the survival of businesses, especially the African American owned ones like native Detroiter Melanie Faison of Miles Green Acers on Woodward and 7 mile, belongs with the people.

                 

6 comments:

Denise Pollicella said...

Very well said, and thank you for not only your leadership, but for adding such a reasoned, level-headed voice to this issue.

Denise Pollicella, Founder and Managing Partner
Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan

Unknown said...

What if someone starts a cannabis church that also has wine as a sacrament?

Unknown said...

What if someone starts a cannabis church that also has wine as a sacrament?

Unknown said...

well, the way it was written, dispensaries would have to stay 1000 feet from the cannabis church. So, if you want weed in that neighborhood, you would have to go to the church, where everything is tax deductible. Doesn't that sound like a better idea anyways? Stop opening dispensaries, start opening churches. See how much they wanna dick around once we all start writing off our fuel and food expenses as non profit religious expenses.

Anonymous said...

Please do.

Friends of George Cushingberry said...

Please download the form number 503 from Councilmember Cushingberry's City Webpage on the City of Detroit Website to qualify as a religious institution in the City of Detroit if you choose to do so.

http://www.detroitmi.gov/Government/City-Council/George-Cushingberry/Newsletters-and-Documents