Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jun 2010
Source: Argus-Press, The (Owosso, MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Argus-Press
Contact: http://www.argus-press.com/submissions/?mode=letters
Website: http://www.argus-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4861
Author: Gary Ridley, Argus-Press Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

A NEW KIND OF GREEN

OWOSSO -- A new area office is working to try and connect people with 
diseases covered by the Michigan Marijuana Program with participating 
doctors -- and defeat the negative stereotypes associated marijuana use.

Christina Sheerin, of Lansing, has opened Green Today Cannabis 
Certification Services, 428 Corunna Ave., an office that provides 
medical marijuana certifications and renewals, patient-caregiver 
referrals and education classes on how to grow your own marijuana.

Many family doctors do not participate in the medical marijuana 
program, and therefore they do not write certifications for their 
patients to get marijuana.  Sheerin said her business seeks to 
connect these patients with a doctor that is willing to write a certification.

"Not all patients can qualify through their own doctor," Sheerin said.

However, Sheerin said her business is not like others that simply 
write a medical marijuana certification in exchange for money. Green 
Today Cannabis Certification Services brings in a board-certified 
Lansing-area doctor who reviews a patient's medical files and works 
to determine if medical marijuana is a good fit for the patient.

Sheerin said first-time certifications cost $200, while renewals are 
$150. Although Sheerin said the prices might be higher than those of 
similar businesses, she said her office offers a safe secure location 
for patients -- a promise other businesses can't make.

Apart from certifying patients, Green Today Cannabis Certification 
Services also help match patients with potential caregivers.

According to state law, state certified caregivers can legally grow 
up to 12 marijuana plants each for up to five certified patients.

Sheerin, who is a patient and caregiver herself, said this could be a 
beneficial activity for people that have been affected by the sour economy.

"I want to help bring jobs to the city," Sheerin said.

Sheerin said the business also helps refer patients to growing 
suppliers and paraphernalia suppliers, as well as offer help on how 
to grow their own personal medical marijuana.

She also said she is trying to bring in a guest speaker, Danny 
Trevino, to teach patients and caregivers how to grow marijuana.

Trevino is a medical marijuana instructor at the Lansing-based 
Hydrocollege, an organization that teaches people how to successfully 
grow marijuana and navigate the laws laid out by the Medical Marijuana Program.

Sheerin said she is trying to find roughly 40 people to participate 
in the class.

The Corunna Avenue office does not currently supply or store any 
marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia, but Sheerin said it could be 
something she might be interested in once the courts finalize rules 
on marijuana dispensaries.

Green Today Cannabis Certification Services is now accepting 
patients. To make an appointment or to enroll in a class call 725-6256. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake