Fundraiser supporting medical marijuana held in Lapeer County

13 Feb, 2013

Two House Reps, one attorney and a half-dozen officials from surrounding communities gathered in the Village of Dryden to eat wild game, drink a beer and hear about the future of marijuana in Michigan.

The fundraiser was held in support of the effort to pass the Provisioning Centers Act, a bill to authorize communities to zone, inspect, license and regulate medical marijuana distribution centers. Over 60 people packed the Village Grill to hear speakers outline the current situation regarding cannabis in Michigan, the ramifications of the recent Supreme Court ruling and the prospect of moving positive legislation through the legislature.

Event host Jamie Lowell of 3rd Coast Compassion Center introduced Tim Beck, followed by the Village President, Pat Betcher. Rick Thompson of the Compassion Chronicles followed next and led into attorney Michael Komorn’s explanation of recent changes in law caused by the Supreme Court ruling in the McQueen case.

The evening’s keynote speakers were Representative Michael Callton, R-Nashville, and Rep. Kevin Daley, R-Lum Township in Lapeer County. Callton discussed the nature of being a cannabis advocate in the House and the need to pass his bill, formerly referred to as House Bill 5580, which allows dispensaries in local communities. Daley, who is the area’s Representative and who supported the Provisioning Centers Act when it was introduced in 2012, pledged to continue the discussion on marijuana.

Dryden is a symbolic location for this meeting. On May 4, 2010 Dryden passed an ordinance allowing for a single dispensary to open. The facility was later raided by Lapeer County Sheriff Department deputies, bringing protesters to the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department and County Prosecutor’s offices. The Dryden ordinance was later rescinded. The owner of the former distribution center, Randy Crowell, was the event’s sponsor and is owner of the Village Grill.

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