The Medical Marijuana Ordinance drafted by the City of
Detroit will cost the taxpayers an additional $100,000 to enforce and, is in
conflict with provisions of the Federal
Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). The
law firm of Lewis and Munday in Detroit Michigan has been awarded this contract for costs by
City Council to defend an ordinance that is violation of US Constitutional 1st
Amendment rights regarding the freedom to worship and practice a religious faith
without persecution. The RLUIPA protects individuals, houses of worship, and
other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and land marking
laws. The enforcement of this ordinance places an unlawful burden on citizens
and business owners that are not members of the church or, practitioners of the
religion. This ordinance may be struck
down in a Court of Law because of the 1000ft requirement from a Church or Religious
institution. A defendant may prevail
before a jury of their peers based on the legal ramifications of federal law
violations.
Business Owners are strongly encouraged to develop a
citywide licensing plan that will be fair to everyone and, can be voted upon by
all of the citizens. This includes the
use of drive through services just like Rite Aid and McDonalds, Burger King,
and Walgreens. There are many examples of churches and liquor stores right next
to or, across the street from each other.
There are many examples of day care centers near liquor stores, and drug
free zones in Detroit. With the proliferation of charter schools, business
owners will face a undue burden of having to relocate because of being near a
charter school with NO regulations. The business could have been there before
the school was established but, that issue does not matter according to the
ordinance as written. Concerned owners
should contact the City Council and Mayors Duggan's office regarding this concern. All
interested business owners are strongly encouraged to inform their customers
about Jury Nullification and VOTING in August and November for candidates who
will bring a sensible solution to the people on Marijuana reform.
