Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 Source: Livonia Observer (MI) Copyright: 2011 Observer & Eccentric Newspapers Contact: http://www.hometownlife.com/section/CUSTOMERSERVICE20 Website: http://www.hometownlife.com/section/NEWS10 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5277 Author: Ken Abramczyk, Livonia Observer Staff Writer STATE LOOKS AT CLARIFYING MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW State lawmakers continue to work to clarify the state medical marijuana law. State Rep. John Walsh, R-Livonia, said lawmakers have introduced eight bills in attempts to make the law "safe and effective." Walsh expects another four bills to be introduced at a later date. Walsh, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, appeared at a press conference last week with Attorney General Bill Schuette and a doctor from the Michigan State Medical Society to highlight the legislation, which Walsh said will help better define the relationships between patient and caregiver before medical marijuana is administered. Michigan voters approved the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in November 2008. Walsh said he was shocked to learn that since voters approved the law, 56 doctors have issued 40,000 medical marijuana certificates in Michigan, some with nothing more than a communication over the Internet. "That (number) on its face tells me something is terribly wrong," Walsh said. "And many physicians are concerned about getting involved because of the lack of regulation." Defining relationships Dr. Steven Newman, a neurologist in Southfield and president of the Michigan State Medical Society, said the voter initiative "did not allow for easy implementation." Newman believes physicians should conduct a thorough physical examination and investigation on patients before medical marijuana is prescribed. Newman said the society's mission is to promote good health, and preserve the quality and ethics in medical practices. "We're supportive of the legislation because it helps define what is a bona fide physician-patient relationship," Newman said. Schuette said the law "has been hijacked by pot profiteers who threaten public safety on the roads and in our communities." Schuette also proposed legislative reforms to address the lack of penalties to criminals who submit fraudulent patient and caregiver applications or fraudulent physician certifications. Schuette has proposed the creation of new laws to crack down on criminal abuse of the medical marijuana certification system, including prohibiting felons from becoming caregivers. Schuette proposed legislation to strengthen laws on drugged driving, limiting criminal access to medical marijuana, empowering local communities to regulate marijuana facilities, ensuring standards for patient care and avoiding confusion and excessive litigation regarding insurance claims and coverage for medical marijuana users. Schuette wants to make it a felony for physicians to knowingly give false certification for patients' debilitating conditions or knowingly submit false information on patient or caregiver application cards. A crackdown on dispensaries Walsh believes the state needs to crack down on dispensaries, particularly on one stretch of road near the state's Capitol. "I don't think anyone who voted for the law intended for there to be 83 dispensaries on one of the main roads in Ingham County," Walsh said. Walsh also was contacted by someone who had a medical marijuana card, but was not receiving it because the caregiver she was using only wanted her card to allow them to sell it. That caregiver proceeded to sell it on the black market. "That card gives them a license to grow it," Walsh said. Walsh also expects legislation will be introduced that provides guidelines to growing medical marijuana, including what herbicides and fertilizer will be used. Newman said medical marijuana is prescribed by doctors for chronic neurological diseases, a loss of weight due to chemotherapy or HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and Crohn's disease. But the FDA has not endorsed medical marijuana as a treatment, Newman said. The Michigan State Medical Society has examined similar legislation in Colorado, which has had medical marijuana for about 10 years, and forwarded that information to state lawmakers, a spokeswoman for the doctor's group said. Walsh expects hearings will be conducted in the fall on the legislative package. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.