ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A show cause hearing was held for a 79-year-old woman, who says she’s growing multiple marijuana plants to help those in pain.
Judith Pontius was previously threatened with jail time if she did not remove her plants. Ypsilanti Township attorneys said she failed to follow previous court orders in doing so.
Pontius virtually appeared before a judge on the 55-plus marijuana plants in her home. In the hearing, attorneys representing the township tried to have her held in contempt of court for refusing to comply with removing the plants.
Outside of the courtroom, many showed up to rally in support for Pontius.
“She has broken no law. She should be threatened by no jail time,” said one protester.
Pontius and her lawyer both believe that she should be allowed to grow the large number of plants as a caregiver.
“The township has been passing ordinances basically to eliminate caregivers from their township and that is not yhe intent of the Supreme Court case,” said her attorney, Barton Morris.
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Township attorney Doug Winters said it boils down to a zoning issue.
“If you’re going to be a caregiver, you have to be in the right zoning district. That’s why you don’t have mixed uses in a residential area. That would be in conflict,” Winters said.
The judge ultimately said the previous Supreme Court ruling still stands.
“If I have to, I have to. I have to follow whatever they say,” Pontius said.
Morris said his client is going to comply and remove more plants. Another hearing is being scheduled.
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