Stand your Ground for Democracy and Marijuana Reform in Detroit MI

By Weed Warrior

Marijuana business owners are strongly encouraged to stand their ground to force compliance on the recently enacted ordinances to regulate daily operations. On Friday, February 16th, 2018 and Thursday March 8th, 2018,  all who are interested in standing up for democracy are strongly encouraged to be present at the Coleman Young Municipal Center in courtroom #701 of the Honorable Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Robert Colombo. 

Your presence is requested to protest the attempt by the Detroit Planning Commission, Detroit City Council and, Law Department to invalidate the results of the November 7th general election regarding voter approval of two Marijuana reform measures by 60%. In this case the members of the Planning Commission and City Council are placing themselves above the law by approving this act of voter fraud.  In the second case the plaintiffs Marcus Cummins and Deborah Omokehinde have clearly lost their minds. Quoting the website Ballotpedia:

Following voter approval of two marijuana-related ordinances, Proposal A and Proposal B, the Detroit City Council introduced a resolution to challenge the ordinances on November 21, 2017. According to the Detroit Free Press, council member James Tate introduced the resolution, stating that the ordinances contain language that threatens the city's zoning process. Under the ordinances, which were placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives, dispensaries may be opened a distance of 500 feet or more from other dispensaries or religious institutions and may be opened without a public comment period or the approval of the Board of Zoning Appeals. In the resolution, Tate requested that the mayor and corporation counsel take action to prevent the implementation of the ordinances and the new zoning rules. The council voted 7-1 in favor of the resolution.[Source Detroit Free Press] 

The common theme in both cases is that people are not allowed to vote on issues concerning their municipality.  The plaintiffs in both cases are saying that people who voted did not understand what they were voting on. In a previous ruling, Judge Colombo ordered that the issue be placed on the ballot for the people to decide what they want, instead of the City Council telling them what they are going to get regardless of their input. Preventing citizens from voting on issues is blatant voter suppression.

Detroit City Council Member James Tate District 1

Website: Ballot Language Proposal A Facilities Ordinance- City of Detroit

Website: Ballot Language Proposal B Zoning Ordinance - City of Detroit

The hearings conducted for the rejected ordinance was a charade created for a select few people in the community. Detroit voters do not need to be disrespected again, just like what happened with the vote on rejecting Emergency Management. You are strongly encouraged to write Judge Colombo urging him to dismiss this attempt of Voter Fraud upon the people of the City of Detroit in both cases.  Members of the legal community are strongly recommended to file Writs of Mandamus compelling the City to approve their business under the new ordinance. Interested Citizens are strongly encouraged to contact every elected official in the City of Detroit to demand that Building Safety and Engineering start taking online applications immediately and, respect the decision of the people for Marijuana reform in the City of Detroit. 

Contact Information 

Hon. Judge Robert Colombo (Website Wayne County Circuit Court)

3rd Circuit  Wayne County Circuit Court

Coleman Young Municipal Center Room 701

Detroit, MI 48226  

Case #17-017221-AW  and  #17012152-AW
Office Number Call (313) 224-5430 Courtroom Clerk Matthew Johnson 

Website Detroit City Council - Brenda Jones President - Mary Sheffield President Pro Tempore

Field Report: Wayne County Judge Disables City Marijuana Website

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Consultant


UPDATE:  The restraining order was vacated by Judge Colombo on January 4th, 2018 and is no longer valid.

The Detroit Planning Commission has declared war against voters of the City of Detroit by endorsing a lawsuit brought by a shadow group of plaintiffs, led by Chris Hindo of VK Real Estate Holdings located at 12800 Eight Mile Road. Board Chairman Alton James and this group have petitioned Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Robert Colombo to prevent the City of Detroit Building Safety and Engineering Department from issuing licenses from the City website.  In order to get a State License, a business must be approved by a local unit of government.

Website: Religious Land Use Institutionalized Persons Act

Website: City of Detroit Medical Marijuana Licensing Page 

The old ordinance was repealed on November 7^th, 2017 and, any part of the old ordinance cannot be re-implemented for 365 days by rule of law. This means that restrictions on things like drive through service, parks, and liquor stores have been removed. In addition to these changes, rules on religious institutions and schools have been modified to account for open school and active church congregations.  If you are a Rastafarian or any religion where the holy herb is a primary tenant of the faith, you may be entitled to protection under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.  This law covers religious land use and non-Michigan citizens who are Medical Marijuana patients in another state.

Judge Robert Colombo - Wayne County MI 3rd Circuit Court Judge

On February 18th at 9am, please be present in the Court in room 701 at the Coleman Young Municipal Center to observe the case proceedings. The goal of the Planning commission and Chris Hindo is to ask this Judge to issue an order to void the results because the Commissioners are stating that:

Citizens do not have the right to vote on where a Marijuana business can locate within the City of Detroit, only Planning Commission members can.

If you support the rule of law and, are tired of people disrespecting your vote, call city hall to demand that Mayor Mike Duggan Direct the City Law Department to:

Ask Judge Colombo to issue an order requiring the City of Detroit to start taking applications through the City Website and in person at the Coleman Young Municipal Center and dismiss this frivolous lawsuit. 

Website: Mayor Mike Duggan - City of Detroit

With their vote, the electorate of the City of Detroit is directing their government to Opt-Into State Marijuana laws by providing these services. By choosing this path, this is the same process how Lansing brought us Emergency Managers and rammed them down the people’s throat. 

Request by Plaintiffs to Invalidate the Vote of the People for Marijuana Jobs and Opportunities

Interested parties are welcome to send letters to:

Hon. Judge Robert Colombo

Coleman Young Municipal Center Room 701

Detroit, MI 48226  

Case #17-017221-AW 
Office Number Call (313) 224-5430 Courtroom Clerk Matthew Johnson 

Finally, citizens are strongly encouraged to contact every elected official in the City of Detroit to demand that they follow the will of the people and respect our vote for Marijuana reform in the City of Detroit. Website Detroit City Council - Brenda Jones President - Mary Sheffield President Pro Tempore

Urgent Message! Stop Voter Fraud Attempt by Detroit Business Owners

By The Weed Warrior

Your presence is being requested at room 913 Coleman Young Municipal Center, Wayne County Circuit Court  on Thursday, January 4^th, 2018 @ 9AM   in the courtroom of the Hon. Judge Lita Popkey  to protest the attempt by a small group of Marijuana business owners to reject the results of the November 7^th, 2017 vote to opt-into and rezone business in accordance with State Laws.

UPDATE: as of Jan. 3rd, 2018 @ 9:00pm.

Please go to room 701 instead, and ask (or call (313) 224-5430) Courtroom Clerk Matthew Johnson to meet with Judge Robert J. Colombo Jr.  to express your feelings about your vote being invalidated by special interest groups that want to monopolize the Detroit Marijuana Market. The people are the employer of any Board of Zoning or any other government entity and our Vote is our Voice that must be respected. 

As of January 3rd, 2018 the Temporary Restraining Order has been vacated by Judge Colombo.  Therefore the new ordinance takes immediate effect as of 12:01 January 4th, 2018. This includes drive through facilities, as that part of the old ordinance was repealed also.

Website: Judge Robert J. Colombo

Clear the Confusion with Cannabis

This deplorable attempt to reject the results of an election is a direct slap in the face of anyone who has fought for and died for the right as a citizen to be a part of a vital democratic process. This appears to be an attempt for a few owners to prevent others from opening and, forcing others out.

We are urging Judge Popkey to dismiss this blatant attempt of voter fraud.

The plaintiffs in this lawsuit want the City of Detroit to continue to enforce the old Marijuana Ordinance that was repealed by the electorate by 60%.  Under the new State Law and City Ordinance, everyone who was approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals has an advantage to finally achieve their license.  The City of Detroit website is being modified to accept the 5 different licenses that the State has authorized. 

The Lansing/Okemos 7 - Marijuana Prisoners
Down with Pat Miles!   Vote Dana Nessel AG 2018

This litigation by these and other plaintiffs are unacceptable and illegal.  Children are being harmed because we are now telling them that voting does not mean anything at all, leading to voter apathy.

Per the Detroit City Charter any changes to the ordinance must wait 365 days before any action is taken to make any change. Then it must be voted upon by the PEOPLE instead of being rammed through by the council.  Any business supporting or sponsoring this voter fraud attempt must be boycotted and sanctioned by the Marijuana community.

Case Number  17-017221-AW

Date:  Thursday January 4^th, 2018   - 9:00am

Hon.  Lita M. Popke Judge

(313) 224-2953 
Room 913 

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center  

2 Woodward Ave Detroit MI 48226

Law Clerk: Eric Minch    Eric.Minch@3rdcc.org
Court Clerk:  Marciana Lawrence marciana.lawrence@3rdcc.org
Court Reporter:  Video Courtroom, Deputy:  J. Cruts

Plaintiffs to Boycott:

VK Real Estate Holdings III LLC  and 

12800 E. Eight Mile Detroit MI 48205 

                        

Attorney of Record Christopher B. McMahon   Retained (248) 746-2772(W)

Defendants:  City of Detroit, Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform