Chesterfield Township Sues Medical Marijuana Business
The township accuses the company of violating zoning laws, stating the facility on Gratiot is operating illegally, The Macomb Daily reported.
Chesterfield Township filed a lawsuit against a medical marijuana business, accusing it of a “flagrant violation” of zoning ordinances.
The lawsuit filed Friday in Macomb County Circuit Court reported by The Macomb Daily, accuses Big Daddy’s Management Group and three individuals of operating illegally on Gratiot between 23 Mile and 24 Mile roads.
"The use of the property as a marijuana dispensary and retail store is illegal and a flagrant violation” of the zoning ordinance, the township says in the lawsuit, according to article.
On Thursday, township lawyer Robert Seibert told Patch “our position is laid out in the lawsuit and we’re certainly seeing how it plays out in court. We don’t discuss any pending litigation.”
Township Supervisor Michael Lovelock reiterated that sentiment, also declining to discuss the suit. He said the legal matter did not require public discussion during Board of Trustee meetings.
Defense lawyer James Rasor was in court for another matter Thursday morning and could not be reached.
Among the township’s complaints about the facility: It doesn’t meet any of the 10 special land uses, the proper zoning certificate was not obtained, a site plan was not submitted and it violates a newer ordinance that bans medical marijuana dispensaries.
Big Daddy’s owners, Rick and Sue Ferris, maintain the facility is operating legally—adhering to the state’s Medical Marijuana Act and township ordinances, Rasor told The Macomb Daily.
In January, Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies raided the company’s Oak Park warehouse, seizing cash, harvested marijuana and other items. No charges have been filed against the company owners stemming from that raid, Rasor stated in the article.
Richard Rowley
8:12 am on Friday, August 5, 2011
How is it possible for a business, located on a main corridor such as Gratiot, has progressed to the level that stands before us today? Chesterfield has employees scouring neighborhoods for home owners violating the watering ban while others are searching for raised sidewalks within sub divisions. That particular business has rather large signage placed upon its lawn doing what signs are meant to do and that is draw attention. Hopefully this is not due to the cutbacks of inspectors all in the name of proclaiming how much money the board has saved us taxpayers. And if so maybe that board needs to review calling some of these individuals back so this does not happen again. I believe that there is a need for medical marijuana as a means of offering relief from pain and suffering but honestly the name of Big Daddy's leads me to believe that this business does not have the best interest of its patients in mind. Many of these outfits tend to make a mockery of the laws that have been passed and it is a shame that these individuals take advantage of this. Good luck with this one Chesterfield, I hope you are not wasting our monies on legal fees if this slipped through the cracks.
Christina
7:48 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
Couldn't agree with Richard more. With these types of stores popping up all over the place, where is the oversight? I would get ticketed for an inflatable pool before these marijuana dealers posing as "indoor gardening" stores get busted.
Lilly
12:47 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
I just hope that the Christina Barrett and RIchard Rowley NEVER have to take meds for pain or sickness. Doctors will load you up with HARMFUL MEDS THAT KILL. If you have never used it ..DON'T COMMENT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. It is people like you that give it a bad name. It has been around for years and is NATURAL and won't KILL YOU in the process. Shame on you to try and stop medical clinics. Maybe you would like it better to have people on the road all strung out on ..let's say XANAX or VALIUM ???! THEY KILL ..WEED DON'T.
Richard Rowley
2:07 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Please reread my comment as I now quote from it, "I believe that there is a need for medical marijuana as a means of offering relief from pain and suffering"....And I do know more about this subject than you may think. I did a reasearch paper on this for my Health Care in America class at Baker College. This business owner has contributed to the demise of these dispenceries that truly have the best interest of their patients in mind. Big Daddy's come on, not very proffesional now is it? I am glad that you were not the one to grade my paper as it did earn me an "A". You missed the whole point of my comment.