Pubdate: Thu, 7 Oct 2010
Source: Oakland Press, The (MI)
Copyright: 2010 The Oakland Press
Contact:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2114
Author: Carol Hopkins
Referenced: Michigan's law http://drugsense.org/url/8mvr7sW8
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

TRIO DENIED USE OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA WHILE OUT ON BOND

A request by three people - arrested during an August medical 
marijuana drug raid - to be allowed to smoke medical marijuana while 
on bond was denied in Waterford's 51st District Court Wednesday.

William Joseph Teichman, Candace Jean Teichman, and Brian Vaughn - 
medical marijuana patients - had been instructed as part of their 
bond not to use medical marijuana. The Teichmans own Everybody's Cafe 
in Waterford and Vaughn had worked with them.

The three were among 16 people arrested during the Aug. 25 drug sweep 
conducted by a county narcotics team. They were charged in August 
with counts related to marijuana delivery and manufacture.

The defendants' attorney Michael Komorn told Judge Richard Kuhn Jr. 
that his clients had medical conditions and that they had been 
prescribed prescription pain medication.

Komorn said Candace Teichman's pain medications had undesired side 
effects and that medical marijuana had provided "tremendous benefits" 
for pain she incurred after a serious car accident.

"Medical marijuana allowed her to function," he said.

He said William Teichman also had serious medical conditions.

"To deprive them (of medical marijuana) was unfair without a medical 
determination," said Komorn. "With the state medical marijuana card 
comes privileges and protections."

Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand told Kuhn she opposed any change to 
the bond, arguing the court was in its right to set limits and that 
possessing marijuana is a violation of federal law.

Kuhn reviewed the Teichmans' legal skirmishes, including the fact 
Candace Teichman had just graduated from Kuhn's sobriety court in 
August and that Vaughn was on probation for a driving charge. William 
Teichman, Kuhn noted, had a case pending involving a driving charge.

In denying a change to the defendants' bonds, Kuhn said, "There are 
glaring holes (in the Medical Marijuana Act) and the Legislature 
needs to step up and put in some guidelines."

Jeffrey Perlman, attorney for the Teichmans, said afterward, "Judge 
Kuhn is fair and trying to be as impartial as he can be. Anyone who 
has had a family member suffer from the pain of cancer and other 
diseases understands the importance of medical marijuana."

William Teichman said Everybody's Cafe closed this week and the 
restaurant on Airport Road is now up for sale.

All defendants charged in Waterford's 51st District Court in 
connection with the Aug. 25 medical marijuana raid are due back in 
court today THURS for preliminary exam conferences.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake