Pubdate: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 Source: Tri-County Times (Fenton, MI) Copyright: 2014sTri-County Times Contact: http://www.tctimes.com/forms/letters/ Website: http://www.tctimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5188 Author: William Axford Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.) STATE LAWMAKERS MAY LEGALIZE DISPENSARIES, EDIBLE MARIJUANA Bills Aim to Expand Medical Marihuana Act Lawmakers in Michigan are attempting to re-open dispensaries and legalize medical marijuana use in edible form. Both house bills 5104 and 4271 have passed through the House and are being deliberated in the Senate. Dispensaries became illegal in early 2013 after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMA) does not allow businesses to sell marijuana. House Bill 5104 was prompted by State Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake Township) after hearing a constituent's story on how medical marijuana reduced their daughter's seizures. In order to keep consuming medical marijuana however, the young girl would have to smoke it rather than using oils or edibles. "There was a court of appeals decision that limited the consumption of medical marijuana to leaves and flowers," said Kari Bearman, legislative director for Kowall. "The family told Rep. Kowall that they tried 40 different medications and none of them worked. They then turned to medical marijuana in oil form and it worked better with their daughter's seizures." Since it's passing in 2008, the MMA has undergone numerous challenges in Michigan courts. Cases ranging from employment termination to edible marijuana and the legality of dispensaries have been heard in district courts, appeals court and the state supreme court. The cases have been so numerous that Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert Young recently told the Grand Rapids Press, "I'm so sick of medical marijuana cases. (The MMA)'s no model of clarity. It's a mess." In 2013, Well Greens of Holly -- the last medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland County and the only existing one in the tri-county area -- was shut down by authorities. Local municipalities except Holly Village, have used a moratorium for the past few years to avoid making a decision on whether to allow medical marijuana into their communities. If both bills are passed, dispensaries would be subject to inspection by county health departments. Workers making edible marijuana would have to follow existing laws regarding cleanliness, food processing, storage and packaging that restaurants must comply with. Marijuana would be available in edible, oil and other nonsmoking forms. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt