Medical Marijuana

The Battle Creek Planning Commission recommended changing the city's zoning rules to allow growing marijuana for medicinal use in certain commercial zones. Compassion clubs, operations that provide support services for medical marijuana patients, would be allowed in some zones and would give patients a second place to use their medicine besides their homes.

Medical marijuana growers in New Mexico say proposed changes to the state's program, which include new fees imposed on producers, weren't adequately considered and would destroy small-scale licensed growers.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan ?sued the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Livonia today?, claiming their ordinances banning medical marijuana are in direct violation of the 2008 ?Michigan Medical Marihuana Act?.

The bill failed on a 53-59-1 vote (60 was needed for passage) -- the sponsor, state Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, has put the bill on postponed consideration, which effectively pulled it back before the vote was official and allows him to try again later if he can come up with extra votes. The House will meet today for the last time this year, then for a few days in January before the new General Assembly is seated. If the bill doesn't pass by then, Lang would have to start from scratch.

Illinois lawmakers are back at work -- the veto session started and one of the biggest issues is coming up for vote. The "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Bill" could legalize medical marijuana. Supporters of the bill only need 2 more votes to ensure it passes.

The Star-Ledger editorial board opines that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie seems intent on wrecking the state's medical marijuana program with restrictive regulations. His Department of Health has drafted rules that would restrict marijuana use, availability and potency.