Michigan electors approved the legalization of medical marijuana in November 2008 and more than 10,000 individuals are now licensed to possess up to 2.5 ounces, grow as many as 60 plants, or both. 

The sale of medical marijuana is likely to raise concerns for local officials; however, the Medical Marijuana Act, codified at MCL 333.26421 et seq, provides little guidance regarding local regulation.  A recent Detroit Free Press article describes the actions municipalities are taking

On January 26, 2010, the Court of Appeals published its decision in Howell Education Association v Howell Board of Education, No. 288977.  Here, the intervenor submitted FOIA requests to the school district requesting all email correspondence to and from certain teachers.  The trial court concluded any emails generated and retained through the school district's email system were public records subject to disclosure.  The Court of Appeals reversed holding that teachers' personal emails were not public records under FOIA on the basis they were captured in the school district's digital memory.

The Hubbard Law Firm has joined the Michigan Township Association's Allied Service Provider Program.  Hubbard's investment will be used to improve the overall effectiveness of township governance through more productive business practices, better education and enhanced communications.

FCC Sets Cell-Tower Siting Application Timeframe

The Federal Communication Commission has issued a declaratory ruling establishing timeframes for the processing of wireless tower siting applications.

It's inevitable. When reviewing your municipal ordinances, you will run into a provision that contains ambiguous language. This discovery will lead to a rash of questions: Does the language need to be amended? Would the ordinance be upheld by the court? Is the ordinance overbroad?

Almost every municipality across the state is experiencing budget deficits, tough employment decisions and general financial hardships; however, too few are taking advantage of federal grants that could provide much needed relief.