Pubdate: Wed, 11 Aug 2010
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Royal Oak, MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Daily Tribune
Contact:  http://www.dailytribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1579
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

SILVERDOME POT FEST SHOULD BE CANCELED

Much to the chagrin of city officials, plans have been set for a 
cannabis convention in the Silverdome for Oct. 29-31.

Bruce Perlowin, the CEO of Medical Marijuana Inc., is behind the 
event and bristles at referring to it as a "pot party." He calls it 
the International Holistic Health Cannabis Convention Halloween 
Harmony & Harvest Festival, and says it's a trade show.

No matter how it is termed, city officials are justified in being 
concerned. Medical marijuana may be legal in Michigan but the 
controversial drug shouldn't and isn't something that can be 
purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Municipalities throughout the state have been struggling with just 
how to regulate the distribution of the drug to those who can legally 
use it. Many communities have placed moratoriums on ordinances 
addressing the distribution to make sure the process is appropriately 
covered and that the drug doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

In fact, local officials would be shirking their duties if they did 
not scrutinize the law and establish sound regulatory laws.

Voters approved the proposition with their hearts, but local 
community leaders need to control it with their heads.

Medical marijuana is not the panacea that its supporters say it is, 
and there are numerous peripheral or collateral problems associated 
with its legal distribution and use. Most doctors are reluctant to 
say it won't help a suffering patient but likewise, only a few are 
strong proponents.

Also, making sure the drug doesn't find its way into the hands of 
those not authorized to use it will cost communities money because of 
the law enforcement requirements.

Medical Marijuana Inc. advertises itself as providing tools to manage 
a medical marijuana business in full compliance of laws and 
regulations regarding cannabis.

This is one very good reason why the Silverdome festival should not 
be conducted. Too many communities are still not certain about how to 
regulate marijuana, which is the reason for the moratoriums. 
Consequently, if all of the laws are not in place, how can festival 
organizers provide accurate guidance on complying with the regulations?

In addition, Pontiac Police Chief Val Gross has expressed concern 
about public safety and illegal drug use in connection with the 
festival. We're not going to second-guess Perlowin as to why he wants 
to conduct the dome festival. It certainly seems premature at the 
very least, considering how new the law is.

Some people will undoubtedly make thousands, if not hundreds of 
thousands of dollars, thanks to the new law. It's not unreasonable to 
give local communities time to institute regulations that will make 
sure all of the transactions are legal.

Complicating the situation is the fact marijuana use may be allowable 
for some people under state law, but it's still illegal on the federal level.

Medical Marijuana Inc. is a California-based company. That state was 
one of the first in the nation to legalize medical marijuana and 
since then, it still is struggling with regulations over how the drug 
should be distributed.

While Michigan would like to become the new "Hollywood" through 
increased filmmaking here, we don't need to bring in the California 
drug culture.

So caution is obviously called for and common sense says that the 
festival should be canceled. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake