Pubdate: Sat, 3 Jan 2009
Source: Grand Rapids Press (MI)
Copyright: 2009 Grand Rapids Press
Contact:  http://www.mlive.com/grpress/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/171
Author: Theresa D. Mcclellan, The Grand Rapids Press
Referenced: Michigan Medical Marihuana Program http://www.michigan.gov/mmp
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+Department+of+Community+Health
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/George+Wagoner

PATIENTS OPPOSE STRICT RULES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

GRAND RAPIDS -- George Wagoner does not smoke marijuana, but he has 
seen firsthand the benefits it offered his late wife while she 
battled ovarian cancer.

While he cannot attend Monday's public hearing in Lansing on the 
proposed rules for those receiving medical marijuana, the 74-year-old 
retired obstetrician from Manistee wants state officials to know how 
important it is to make it available as a medicine.

"It's reasonable to have rules and, if we are a compassionate 
society, we should have a mechanism where legitimate producers can 
provide the medicine to those who need it," said Wagoner from his Florida home.

The Michigan Department of Community Health will hold a hearing at 9 
a.m. Monday on the rules to carry out the medical marijuana proposal 
that was passed by voters in November. The rules take effect April 9.

A group of Lansing-area patients is expected to attend the hearing to 
argue the draft rules impose restrictions on medical marijuana users 
that exceed the department's authority, said Karen O'Keefe, director 
of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project.

"Among the rules considered problematic are requirements that 
patients or caregivers submit written inventory reports of medical 
marijuana they grow, that all medical marijuana -- not just plants -- 
be kept in an enclosed, locked facility, and a definition of public 
use that would make it illegal for patients to use medical marijuana 
in their own homes with the curtains open," O'Keefe said.

Wagoner said marijuana gave his wife -- who died in 2007 -- some 
relief from the violent nausea resulting from her chemotherapy.

"This is just an effective medicine, and we need to stop harassing 
people who will benefit from it," he said. 
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