Opponent Argues Medical Marijuana Growing Facility Will Make Birmingham a ‘Ghetto’

Birmingham had plans of bringing medical marijuana growing facilities to the Birmingham Rail District but not everyone agrees that’s a good move.

Describing himself as a “fearless father” and “proud veteran,” architect Frank Carnovale wrote in a letter to the city commission the marijuana growing facilities would turn the east side of Birmingham nto a “ghetto” according to the Observer & Eccentric. Carnovale has an office nearby.

The City Commission was poised to set a July 14 hearing on the issue until members clamored for more information.

Commissioner Mark Nickita said he questions the proposed location of the facilities and asked why other areas of the city weren’t considered. He also wanted information on what could be done to limit the size of the grow operations.

Along with other numerous municipalities across Michigan, Birmingham had previously sided with the federal government and outlawed medical marijuana facilities.

But in 2008 everything changed when Michigan residents voted in favor of the  Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. As a result, Birmingham and other Michigan municipalities can no longer prohibit these types of establishments.

Located on the east side of Eaton Road between Maple and Lincoln, the Rail District has a mixed-use zoning classification that allows for residential, commercial and industrial spaces.

“Now with one intentional stroke of zoning discrimination the city of Birmingham will significantly set the neighborhood on its heels,” Carnovale wrote in his letter. “The medical marijuana ruse is a scam cooked up by potheads and college students to get high. The proof is in the extraordinary number of medical marijuana cards issued on college campuses in Michigan for stress and anxiety.”

What do you think:

• Should medical marijuana facilities be allowed in residential areas? Ideally, where should they be located?

City Attorney Tim Currier downplayed the concerns, the newspaper reported.

“... Grow operations aren’t retail operations where people off the street can purchase marijuana but a place where caregivers can grow marijuana for designated patients,” he said.

Under the Michigan marijuana law, one caregiver can have up to five patients and can grow up to five plants per patient.  

“We all know a friend or neighbor whose family has fought deadly drugs,” Carnovale wrote in his letter. “I raised four fabulous children in this community by not compromising my values.”

More details about the proposal will be offered at a yet-to-be set public hearing.