Pubdate: Wed, 6 Apr 2011
Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
Copyright: 2011 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Cited: Legislature http://www.legislature.mi.gov/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

FIX MARIJUANA LAW

In 2008, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a state 
constitutional amendment that legalized the use of marijuana for 
medical purposes, making their state one of more than a dozen that 
have done so. But the amendment didn't spell out how legalization 
would work, and state officials haven't done much better since. The 
people the law is intended to help deserve an improved approach.

Marijuana has been shown to ease the symptoms felt by patients who 
have glaucoma, cancer, and some other illnesses. There was widespread 
agreement among Michigan voters that legalization was an acceptable 
method of relieving these patients' suffering.

The constitutional amendment established a state registry system. But 
it did not set rigorous standards for those who are approved to grow 
or use medical marijuana, or for how it is to be cultivated.

The overburdened Michigan Department of Community Health has a 
backlog of 24,000 applications to grow or use marijuana, the Detroit 
Free Press reports. While patients are complaining about delays in 
getting medical marijuana, a number of county prosecutors say the law 
is being abused by people who just want to grow and smoke pot.

There have been reports of unscrupulous physicians who are willing to 
certify virtually anybody for the program. And there is the thorny 
problem of supply.

Marijuana is a controlled substance whose use is forbidden by federal 
law. The original source of any legal supply of pot must be gotten 
illegally. Nor is there quality or purity control for marijuana 
plants, which can differ widely in potency.

The Michigan Legislature should pass legislation that sets up a far 
better state-run registry and distribution network, perhaps funding 
it with steep licensing fees. But there would be initial costs, and 
the state has no extra money. It may be hard to justify spending 
public dollars on a marijuana program when the state is slashing aid 
to education and eliminating a tax credit for the working poor.

A better solution for the time being might be a form of "don't ask, 
don't tell," except for the grossest abuses. Michigan's secretary of 
state notes that "states are not required to enforce federal law or 
prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law."

The entire question probably needs further legal refinement. But 
Michigan, which is struggling to balance its budget, save its 
education system, and reinvent its economy, has more urgent problems 
to grapple with right now.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake