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the ordinances #21 and #64 will be repealed and made sensible.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.
