cannabisnews.com: Details of Medical Marijuna Law Still Hazy










  Details of Medical Marijuna Law Still Hazy

Posted by CN Staff on February 01, 2009 at 05:09:38 PT
By Tom Gantert, The Ann Arbor News  
Source: Ann Arbor News 

Michigan -- Come April 4, Michigan residents suffering from certain illnesses will be allowed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, but one big, lingering question remains: How do they get the drug without breaking state and federal criminal laws? The answer appears to be as hazy as Cheech and Chong's van.A statewide ballot referendum approved by voters in November allows registered patients in Michigan's marijuana program to grow and possess it. But police say buying the seeds can get them arrested. It's against the law to purchase it off the street. And doctors aren't allowed to prescribe it.
"There will be a major problem with getting the marijuana," admitted Charles Ream of Scio Township, who has advocated for the legalization of medicinal marijuana for years.Statutory law doesn't always jibe with reality, say some marijuana advocates.Legal hurdles aside, the Michigan law will be effective, said Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-pot advocacy group, The Marijuana Policy Project.Getting the drug isn't that tough, Mirken said. He pointed to a 2008 University of Michigan study that showed 42.6 percent of high school seniors reported using pot in their lifetime, and 83.9 percent said it was easy to get.In December, the state came up with draft rules for its medicinal marijuana program and held a public hearing Jan. 5. A state spokesman said officials are reviewing some suggested revisions.Yet, federal law still makes it illegal to possess marijuana - which makes many doctors leery of discussing the new law.Three local doctors contacted by The News said they didn't want to comment - one said he didn't know enough about the law, and another said he didn't vote for the measure and believes other treatments better serve patients.Bruce Spiher, a spokesman for the University of Michigan Hospital, said he could find no doctors willing to go on the record about it.David Fox, a spokesman for the Michigan State Medical Society, said Thursday that the group opposed the medical marijuana proposal last fall because of the harmful effects of smoking and the fact that there's no uniformity or standard in marijuana manufacturing. Snipped   Complete Article: http://drugsense.org/url/kgDeTiv3Source: Ann Arbor News (MI)Author: Tom Gantert, The Ann Arbor News Published: Sunday, February 01, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Ann Arbor NewsContact: http://drugsense.org/url/0iyeJwMyWebsite: http://www.mlive.com/annarbornews/Related Articles:Public Questions Proposed Rules on Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24405.shtmlGroup: Medical Marijuana Draft Rules Unfairhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24404.shtml

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Comment #38 posted by FoM on February 16, 2009 at 08:37:25 PT

MI: Revised Medical Marijuana Rules Much Better
By Greg Francisco Monday, February 16, 2009 Marijuana Journal -- The revised rules for the state medical marijuana program were released last week and we could not be more pleased. Gone from the new rules are the objectionable provisions contained in the Dec 5 draft. Gross violations of patient privacy, plant production logs and inventories, defining private homes as public space are all gone. (To read the new rules, go here.)http://www.michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/node/1145As commented upon in an earlier column, the Dec. 5 rules did not match with the law voters approved in November. Nowhere in the law was it envisioned that patients would be forced to disclose private information to authorities, that patients cultivating their own medicine would be subject to random searches, nor that they be compelled to hand over to law enforcement written documentation of their inventories, which was equivalent to documenting a federal crime. The state Department of Community Health was put on notice at the Jan. 5 hearing by medical marijuana patients and advocates that it was overreaching its authority.Fortunately, state administrators were willing to listen and talk to leaders within our activist community. Over the last six weeks, there has been considerable discussion as both sides sought common ground. And we really did agree on much more than we disagreed. We all want to live in an orderly society — no one wants to arrest or exploit cancer patients. We all agree that like or loathe the law, it is the law. It is in everyone’s best interest that implementation goes smoothly.The revised Administrative rules much more accurately reflect the will of the voters. Patient privacy is protected, common sense prohibitions on using marijuana in public are preserved and sensible limits are put on the possession, transfer and use of medical marijuana. But the bottom line is that patients and caregivers who stay within the limits of the law will be protected from arrest and harassment. And that is exactly what voters approved. To learn more about the rights and responsibilities of patients under the Michigan Medical Marijuana program visit our Web site:  http://www.MichiganMedicalMarijuana.orgCopyright: 2008 City Pulsehttp://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-2629-marijuana-journal.html

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Comment #37 posted by Hope on February 02, 2009 at 23:29:08 PT

That's too much haze and haziness for sure.
Ought to send that url to the Mr. Gauntert.http://drugsense.org/url/KxiIrpvnThanks, Observer.
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Comment #36 posted by observer on February 02, 2009 at 16:50:22 PT

Marijuana - Hazy. Oh, Just Can't Stop Laughing!
Get it? Marijuana ... Hazy?Oh boy, such originality just cracks me up. How do they get so creative at The Ann Arbor News newspaper? I bet that's the very first time some Pulitzer-headed journalist or editor has ever used that clever pun! Wow, I'm still giggling at that one. Tee hee hee! http://drugsense.org/url/KxiIrpvnNo, there nothing like having a smile at sick people taking their medicine, or a few yuks at people the government jails for smoking that hazy marijuana. 
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Comment #35 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 12:36:32 PT

mykeyb420 
That's really good.
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Comment #34 posted by mykeyb420 on February 02, 2009 at 12:14:47 PT

ty FOM
its a free program here in SF for earthquakes,,but we are trained for most emergencys,,including triage, search and rescue, and most small fires too
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Comment #33 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 11:59:32 PT

Expanded Article Tom Gantert, The Ann Arbor New
Details of Medical Marijuana Law Still Hazy as April Implementation ApproachesFebruary 2, 2009Excerpt: "That's where the gap is," Fox said. "The rules they developed have fairly clear paperwork, and they can obtain a permit. But obtaining seeds or marijuana are both illegal. There's a missing link."Although reports have surfaced of federal agents raiding medicinal marijuana distributors in California, patients with only personal needs generally don't have to worry, authorities say.Rich Isaacson, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, said small-time medicinal marijuana users aren't on their radar."We typically don't target people who have small amounts of drugs," he said. URL: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/02/details_of_medical_marijuna_la.html
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 11:11:27 PT

mykeyb420
I don't think we have a program like your program but in my state we haven't had a big earthquake ever as far as I know.That's a good thing that you are ready to jump in and help. 
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Comment #31 posted by mykeyb420 on February 02, 2009 at 11:08:59 PT

comment # 7 & 8 
If there is a BIG quake here in SF, I am ready. I am a trained member of the SF fire dept called NERT, ( neighborhood emergency response team ). We go about our daily lives and when the BIG one hits,,we spring into action by helping the SFFD with 80% of all rescues after a quake. Do most citys have this program too??
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 08:10:21 PT

City Pulse: Marijuana Journal
By Greg Francisco Monday, February 2,2009 Michigan -- The publication of the revised rules for the state medical marijuana program has been pushed back to Feb. 6. Signals coming from state Department of Community Health indicate that the most objectionable proposed rules contained in the first draft, released at a public meeting on Jan. 5, will be gone. And they should since the first draft violated both the letter and the spirit of the proposal the voters approved in November. We’re optimistic the revised rules will comply with the law.Regardless of how long it takes the state to solidify the rules, one date is set in stone — April 4. The Department of Community Health must begin accepting applications for registration cards on that date and issue cards by April 20 — the law passed in November set this date. Until then, there continues to be confusion about whether medical marijuana patients and caregivers are protected right now. They are.When the law was enacted Dec. 4, a few doctors began writing recommendations immediately. Until registration cards are issued in April, a valid doctor’s recommendation is not a substitute for a registry card — it is the registry card. This is stipulated in the law. Patients with valid recommendations are protected today. There is no requirement to wait until April.Almost daily I hear anecdotal reports of police-patient encounters. Most officers are accepting of doctor recommendations when patients present them and are not seizing medicine or citing patients. This is very encouraging. Patients are enjoying their liberty and respecting the limits. This is how it’s supposed to work and for the most part it is.But there have been a few blemishes. A Genesee County prosecutor is threatening to violate a probationer who is a cancer patient using medical marijuana to treat the nausea associated with chemotherapy — as if any county can afford to take on the health care cost of jailing cancer patients. And a compassion club in Berrien County was recently the target of a stakeout; random patients were allegedly stopped coming and going and pressured to submit to searches of their vehicles. Is this what the voters passed? A sheriff’s department staking out a patient support group?To learn more about your rights and responsibilities under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, visit our Web site: http://www.MichiganMedicalMarijuana.org 
Copyright: 2009  City Pulsehttp://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-2569-marijuana-journal.html
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 07:39:15 PT

The GCW
Charges Against George Obama Droppedhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/02/kenya.george.obama/
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 07:18:42 PT

Pepsi Ad Forever Young Currently #3
That was the only ad that I really liked. It sure looked like Woodstock in the ad and that made me smile.http://superadbowl.com/vote
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 05:52:36 PT

My Favorite Superbowl Ad
Pepsi: Refresh Anthem (Bob Dylan & Will.I.Am)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIbs3sFGdbc
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 05:30:48 PT

The GCW
I looked and couldn't find anything about George Obama. They probably will just let it ride over there. I don't know how bad the laws are in Kenya.Michael Phelps got caught. At age 23 activism over marijuana seems unlikely. He has million of dollars to make and we know money is a drug too.PS: Making money has never been an issue about reforming marijuana laws. I look at it as a moral issue not a money issue. 
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Comment #25 posted by The GCW on February 02, 2009 at 05:07:55 PT

Hope,
That's not only the letter I'd like to see (but wont)It's the letter We should be seeing (but wont).-0-What about Obama's brother or step brother? I don't know much about that story and Him smoking a joint...???What is He saying and what is happening to Him?Does He have a crew of people wishing to cash in on Him, talking Him into saying He's sorry? I hope someone let's Us know and I hope I don't miss it.-0-And then, does the Phelps (ETC.) story bring attention to this issue to Obama? Does it remind Obama or help Him realize this is all bull?Does Obama realize How He fits into the potential equation?-0-Cannabis will not harm a person like the wrath and Man-made spirit of law hunting people down.
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 23:10:27 PT

Radly Balko's take on it...
(Thanks, Pete!)http://www.theagitator.com/2009/02/01/a-letter-id-like-to-see-but-wont/
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 23:05:21 PT

Oh no!
Something I've never seen but I've heard of! My screen is acting weird. It's pink. Then not. Then several shades of pink! I think of heard of such... right before something crashes.:0(
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 23:02:46 PT

Itsonlyaplant
Thank you for that news about the commentator saying that, and welcome to C-News. A touch of sanity, though a tiny touch? That's good.And about Mr. Phelps. You know a lot of people depend on him. Some just want to make sure they get their piece of him, I'm sure. But a lot of people's fortunes, and in these shaky times, depend on him and I'm sure he was reminded of that... thoroughly.
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Comment #21 posted by itsonlyaplant on February 01, 2009 at 22:43:14 PT:

Its disgusting
Hi, new member here. I just tuned in to CNN to be surprised by the Michael Phelps story. I did however notice there was an almost positive tone in the newscaster's voice (versus the normal judgemental one they often have) when he said that " many people htink it should be legal." You don't often hear the mainstream media acknowledging that ALOT of people think that prohibition is totally off base and should end. This poor kid's life is more than likely going to be destroyed by the evil that has destroyed so many people. I can't blame him at all for trying to apologize his way out of loosing a promising career.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 22:10:57 PT

from drug dealer to MVP
Wow! GCW. That is a great story. Thank you.
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Comment #19 posted by The GCW on February 01, 2009 at 20:19:45 PT

from drug dealer to MVP
Holmes goes from drug dealer to Super Bowl MVPTAMPA, Fla. — He once sold drugs on a street corner. Now he’s MVP of a most remarkable Super Bowl.Santonio Holmes, who overcame his gritty childhood in rural south Florida, made a brilliant catch with 35 seconds left to give the Pittsburgh Steelers their record sixth Super Bowl title, a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20090201/NEWS/902019960/1078&ParentProfile=1055&title=Holmes%20goes%20from%20drug%20dealer%20to%20Super%20Bowl%20MVP
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 17:23:32 PT

Bruce Springsteen
The half time show was really good. 
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Comment #17 posted by The GCW on February 01, 2009 at 16:24:09 PT

crap talk
Phelps acknowledges photo using pot pipehttp://www.summitdaily.com/article/20090201/SPORTS/902019988/1056&title=Phelps%20acknowledges%20photo%20using%20pot%20pipe-0-Phelps spews.

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Comment #16 posted by potpal on February 01, 2009 at 13:32:29 PT

OT sorry #2
I have a friend in Arizona who was driving home from work when she came across an old Navajo woman hitch-hiking and felt it safe to give her a lift into town. Once in the car, the old woman noticed a bottle of wine sitting on the seat between her and her driver. She gave it a good, long look and then looked up at my friend, who noted her curiousity, and before the woman could ask a question said, "I got that for my husband." The old woman did not speak for a long moment, looked at the bottle of wine once more, looked up at my friend and said, "Good trade"!...boom tish.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 10:47:40 PT

Sam
I wouldn't rather see her naked. I'll take The Boss fully dressed and all. LOL!
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Comment #14 posted by Sam Adams on February 01, 2009 at 10:43:33 PT

music
>>I guess I should thank Janet Jackson! Exactly! I'd rather see her naked but I'd definitely rather listen to "the Boss" than Janet and Justin Timberlake, yuck, get me out of 8th grade.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 10:32:47 PT

Comment 10
Lol!
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 10:32:09 PT

"He had a hat."
That was a wonderful story, Runruff. Thank you. I'm so thankful the child was saved and brought back to his mother. Wow. "He had a hat"... We do have a way of being thankful! That's funny, in the end... but so sweet that the child is ok. Horrifying that turns out to be a relief with a punch line. That's so good.I just got back from Missouri, BGreen. I think about you often when I'm up there. I do believe you have more freaked out and strange anti-democrats there in Missouri than we do in Texas... and that's saying a lot. Weird and creepy it was.My son wears shorts in Missouri winters. Although he does wear a jacket. Yes. He goes out in them in below freezing weather. Heavy, longer shorts, but shorts nonetheless. Aaargh. I can't do a thing with him. We went to a restaurant and show... lower twenties that night... and he wore shorts. I don't know what's wrong with him. It probably started in drastic winter weather here, when at it's worst... he and his brother would compete to see who could run through the snow in their underwear and who could stand it and stay outside the longest. I probably should have let them watch more TV.He has woods and prolific trees on his place. That ice storm last winter... or maybe it was winter before last they woke up horrified. They said it sounded like a war. Loud gunshots, all sorts of artillery going off everywhere. It was trees snapping. The damage was awful.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 10:17:13 PT

Sam
I guess I should thank Janet Jackson! LOL! I couldn't resist.
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Comment #10 posted by Sam adams on February 01, 2009 at 10:15:46 PT

halftime show
I saw something funny in the comics this AM - it said ever since l'affaire Janet Jackson, they've picked old rockers that no one wants to see naked! funny but true. 
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 10:03:58 PT

Just a Note
I am looking forward to the half time show tonight with Bruce Springsteen. If people are into football I hope your team wins. Have a great day everyone.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 09:41:07 PT

BGreen and mykeyb420
I am so grateful we didn't lose power. We have a small co-op electric company and when we go down we are back up faster then the big power companies. My niece was without power for over a week near Canton, Ohio when we had an unbelievable wind storm this past summer. mykeyb420, you have beautiful weather out there but you also have earthquakes! I don't know which one is worse! LOL!
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on February 01, 2009 at 09:37:52 PT

Hey, mykeyb420
Is that the ground moving under your feet? LOLThe Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on February 01, 2009 at 09:34:55 PT

I'm glad for you, too
They're saying it might take a month to restore power just fifty miles to the south of us in Arkansas. We were about twenty to thirty miles north of the really heavy ice. We had slightly under a half an inch of solid ice, with an inch of sleet on top of that, topped off with an inch and a half of really fluffy white snow.In case people haven't experienced an ice storm, just imagine your normal thunderstorm falling, but having that water freeze almost immediately upon impact. It builds up so quickly and snaps trees and power poles like they were toothpicks.We get ice storms more than we get snow around here and it just started a couple of years ago. Before that we got sleet and snow but not a lot of freezing rain.I'm tired of it and I'm sure my trees would give me an ear full if they could talk. :)The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #5 posted by mykeyb420 on February 01, 2009 at 09:32:42 PT

here in san francisco
I have a tough time deciding what pair of shorts to wear to work today. weather man says it might hit 70 degrees. Shorts and sandals with a T shirt,,,smack dab in the middle of winter. I sure do love california !
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 08:53:04 PT

BGreen
I'm glad you didn't lose power. Here's a little picture we took yesterday. We are only getting the car out today but we didn't lose power either luckily.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/snow.jpg
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on February 01, 2009 at 08:06:54 PT

Big Pharma flackie

If everyone was magically compelled to tell the truth for a day....David Fox, a spokesman for the Michigan State Medical Society, said Thursday that the group opposed the medical marijuana proposal last fall because of the harmful effects of smoking "But we're quite happy to give you drugs that destroy your stomach, intestines, liver, kidney, and cardiovasular system and kill you!"
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Comment #2 posted by BGreen on February 01, 2009 at 07:36:15 PT

Hey, runruff
That's funny!Getting back to you on a post from the other day, Mrs. Green and I are doing as well as can be expected with the economy left in shambles by the Harvard MBA chimp in chief we just got rid of.You and Mrs. runruff are in our thoughts a lot. We got a slight case of the treatment the two of you got and it was traumatic. I still find it miraculous that you stayed together. However, from what I've learned, it's either going to drive you apart or bring you even closer together. The later happened to us and I hope to you, also.Sorry about the delay in my response. We just had a helluva bad ice storm roll through here and, although we never lost power, I've been preoccupied with other things.Take care and give the Mrs. our love.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on February 01, 2009 at 05:37:40 PT

OT [sorry]
My Jewish friend just got back from Miami visiting his sister. He said during a family outing to the seashore last week, his sister was walking her three year old son along the shore wading in the shallow serf. Suddenly a giant wave came down on them and knocked his sister over. When she stood up the boy was gone. He was washed out to sea. He said his sister started yelling for help and just went hysterical, pleading with God not to take her only son. Her reason for living, she went on and on! The next big wave brought him back and sat him down right next to her like a miracle. She leaped over to him and swooped him up in her arms, crying and sobbing with relief. Then just like that she stopped and stared at her boy a second then looked up and said, "he had a hat"!
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