LETTER: Big Daddy's Admits Zoning Fault to Judge, Agrees to Close

After attorneys on both sides of the ongoing Big Daddy's Hydroponics case reached an agreement in Macomb County Circuit Court, owner Rick Ferris read this letter Wednesday to Judge John Foster:

Dear Honorable Judge Foster,

After listening to the testimony from the city officials, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, and conversations with my attorneys and landlord, Pat Acciavatti, I agree with the city’s conclusion that we are not in compliance with the zoning. Therefore, I will withdraw from 52011 Gratiot Avenue, Chesterfield Twp. MI 48051.

It was never my intention to break any law, local or state. I believe we follow the state law at all times and were given bad legal advice regarding local zoning. Although I firmly believe this case has never been about zoning, it has only been about the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and Law.

The city attorney and the Attorney General used the phrase “protecting the public health and safety." With Big Daddy’s moving from 52011 Gratiot, in my opinion, puts our 2,000 members health and safety at risk. Without safe access and certified, laboratory tested medicine the patients are forced back underground.

With this being said, I would like to ask the court to allow me to have until March 9, 2012, to notify all my members, receive hydroponics orders that are already in process and remove 4,000-square-feet of material out of the building.

I apologize to the court for the time and the cost for my negligence in the zoning issue.

Sincerely,

Rick Ferris
Big Daddy’s Management Group

Ferris said Wednesday that Foster has allowed Big Daddy's Hydroponics to stay open until March 10, 2012. The landlord can retain control of the building. For more coverage on this controversial business, check out Patch's topic page.