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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake