Chesterfield Township Sues Medical Marijuana Business

Chesterfield Township filed a lawsuit against a medical marijuana business, accusing it of a “flagrant violation” of zoning ordinances.

The lawsuit filed Friday in Macomb County Circuit Court reported by The Macomb Daily, accuses Big Daddy’s Management Group and three individuals of operating illegally on Gratiot between 23 Mile and 24 Mile roads.

"The use of the property as a marijuana dispensary and retail store is illegal and a flagrant violation” of the zoning ordinance, the township says in the lawsuit, according to article.

On Thursday, township lawyer Robert Seibert told Patch “our position is laid out in the lawsuit and we’re certainly seeing how it plays out in court. We don’t discuss any pending litigation.”

Township Supervisor Michael Lovelock reiterated that sentiment, also declining to discuss the suit. He said the legal matter did not require public discussion during Board of Trustee meetings.

Defense lawyer James Rasor was in court for another matter Thursday morning and could not be reached.

Among the township’s complaints about the facility: It doesn’t meet any of the 10 special land uses, the proper zoning certificate was not obtained, a site plan was not submitted and it that bans medical marijuana dispensaries.

Big Daddy’s owners, Rick and Sue Ferris, maintain the facility is operating legally—adhering to the state’s Medical Marijuana Act and township ordinances, Rasor told The Macomb Daily.

In January, Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies raided the company’s Oak Park warehouse, seizing cash, harvested marijuana and other items. No charges have been filed against the company owners stemming from that raid, Rasor stated in the article.