Pubdate: Tue, 26 May 2009
Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot (MI)
Copyright: 2009 Jackson Citizen Patriot
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/jacitpat/letters/index.ssf
Website: http://www.mlive.com/jackson/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1190
Author: Tarryl Jackson
Referenced: Initiated Law 1 of 2008 http://micares.org/
Referenced: Michigan Medical Marihuana Program 
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_51869---,00.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+Medical+Marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

MICHIGAN'S NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW IS SOMEWHAT HAZY

For some, it's been a godsend -- allowing them to ease chronic pain 
or minimize the after-effects of debilitating chemotherapy treatments.

But the medical marijuana law, approved in November by Michigan 
voters, hasn't been without its hiccups as law enforcement, 
health-care providers and state officials work through the 
implementation of the law.

To help answer patients' questions and address other concerns, Roger 
Maufort of Jackson recently founded the Jackson County Compassion 
Club, a support group for patients who are now allowed to legally use 
marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"My wife has chronic pain, (so) when the law passed, I wanted to 
learn more," Maufort said.

Under the law, a patient must obtain a written certification from a 
physician that verifies the patient has a debilitating medical 
condition, such as cancer or AIDS. They then apply for a registry 
identification card with the state Bureau of Health Professions 
within the Department of Community Health.

As of Friday, the state had received 1,894 applications and had 
issued 1,367 registry identification cards, spokesman James McCurtis 
said. Of the 1,367 cards issued, 1,021 were for patients and 346 were 
for caregivers, he said.

Dr. Daniel Michael, president-elect of the Michigan State Medical 
Society, said many physicians were disappointed that the law passed. 
He and other doctors have seen an influx of patients asking for 
marijuana prescriptions.

"That's not the way we would like to do medicine in the 21st century," he said.

Michael said the Michigan State Medical Society is monitoring the 
state law guidelines closely.

Local law enforcement is also keeping a close eye on things.

"It's going to be a challenge for the criminal justice system," 
Jackson County Sheriff Dan Heyns said. "(But) we're very early in the game."

Registered patients or caregivers are allowed to grow limited amounts 
of marijuana in an enclosed, locked facility.

However, the law neither protects marijuana plants from being seized 
nor individuals from being prosecuted if the federal government 
chooses to take action against patients and caregivers under the 
federal Controlled Substances Act.

Carol Martin, a member of the Jackson County Compassion Club, has had 
chronic back pain since 1984 and recently started using marijuana for 
medicinal purposes after years of taking painkillers.

"It was a big eye-opener to see what a difference it made in one 
night," she said. "It was such a relief to have relaxed muscles and 
no headaches."

The local group, which had more than 50 people attend this month's 
meeting, is one of more than 20 Compassion Clubs affiliated with the 
Michigan Medical Marijuana Association.

Greg Francisco, executive director and founder of the Michigan 
Medical Marijuana Association, said those clubs are not meeting 
places for people to exchange marijuana.

"I honestly think we're going to look back a year from now and say, 
'What was all the fuss about?'" he said about the new law.
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