Is medical marijuana legal in Michigan today? Well, kinda ... but kinda not. Don't light up just yet. While the law approved by voters Nov. 4 took effect today ((Thursday)), no one can start smoking -- at least legally -- until spring, the deadline for the Michigan Department of Community Health to develop administrative rules. Even then, patients with a qualifying illness would need a doctor's permission and certification by the state to partake. In November, voters overwhelmingly approved the question of whether seriously ill patients should be able to possess marijuana. Michigan became the 13th state to legalize medical marijuana. [continues 728 words]
GRAND RAPIDS -- Despite her support for legalized medical marijuana, Debra Negen-Brink, a cancer survivor and registered nurse, has concerns about the law taking effect Thursday. Where would a senior citizen get the drug? How could a debilitated person be expected to cultivate his own plants or obtain seeds just to get started? Brink, 50, with children in high school and college, wouldn't think of asking them to score her weed. She doubted the elderly would turn to adult children or grandchildren, either. [continues 848 words]
LANSING -- Voters made it clear that Michigan can allow marijuana to relieve patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma and other debilitating medical conditions. Although the 63-37 percent ratio in favor of Proposal 1 makes the will of the public decisive, uncertainty reigns among state law enforcement agencies. The proposal takes effect Dec. 4. The Bureau of Health Professionals, under the Department of Community Health, will have 120 days after that date to draft and finalize rules for a medical marijuana program. The registry program will be complete by April 4. [continues 656 words]
FERNDALE -- Even though Carl Swanson won approval from city voters to dispense medical marijuana -- and state voters decriminalized the drug for registered patients last month -- he still won't be open for business anytime soon. The new state medical marijuana law is in conflict with the ordinance city voters passed for Swanson's National Organization for Positive Medicine, said City Attorney Dan Christ. "My opinion is that it is preempted by the state (law)," Christ said. Christ recently issued a legal opinion for city police and officials on the issue. [continues 480 words]
Unlike former president Bill Clinton, Charles H. Snyder III inhales. On bad days, he heats up marijuana three times a day. On good days, it's less. However, on bad days -- when the chronic pain from glaucoma and the rare genetic disorder Nail-patella syndrome becomes unbearable -- the 31-year-old Genesee County resident sniffs more marijuana through an electric vaporizer. "For seven years, doctors tried to find the right formula of pain pills to help me lead a more normal life," said the married father of a toddler daughter. "They never found the right combination or dosage amount that didn't make things worse. It's not about getting high. I'm not a thug. I'm trying to ease my suffering." [continues 769 words]
A law that lets people in pain use marijuana has left those procuring the illegal drug in a legal haze. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act forces qualified patients and caregivers to get medical marijuana and seeds from illegal black-market dealers, proponents say. The 13th state to do so, Michigan voters sided this month almost 2-1 in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, allowing possession of up to 2.5 ounces and cultivation of 12 plants. A "primary caregiver" -- any person more than 21 without a drug-related felony identified to assist patients procure the drug -- may service 5 clients and maintain up to 60 plants and 12.5 ounces, a street value near $2,000. [continues 717 words]
There are several keys to understanding the new Michigan Marijuana Law. Enacted by voters in a landslide election with a 63% margin on November 4th, Michigan now joins twelve other states that have decriminalized marijuana for medical purposes. Prop 1 is now to be cited as the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and for the first time in over 75-years, the 'criminal' element that has profiteered on this multi-billion dollar underground industry, along with the Pharmaceutical companies that also reap billions for creating synthetic pills that handle 'pain & suffering' are being opened to competition from providers and patients seeking treatment from the plant that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson harvested on a regular basis. [continues 1241 words]
After voters' approval on Nov. 4, Michigan now will have legalized marijuana for medical use. But despite its medical label and popular support, medical marijuana has drawn the ire of many critics. Supporters say the medical value of marijuana justifies its legality - -- weed is an effective tool for people trying to cope with serious diseases and pain -- and smoking the drug does not lead to abuse of other drugs, illicit, legal or prescription. Opponents claim the medical label is a ruse and there is an imminent danger of widespread abuse, especially by kids who may be confused by marijuana's medical status. [continues 1752 words]
LANSING -- Voters made it clear that Michigan can allow marijuana to relieve patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma and other debilitating medical conditions. Although the 63-37 percent ratio in favor of Proposal 1 makes the will of the public decisive, uncertainty reigns among state law enforcement agencies. The proposal takes effect Dec. 4. The Bureau of Health Professionals under the Department of Community Health will have 120 days after that date to draft and finalize rules for a medical marijuana program. The registry program will be complete by April 4. [continues 659 words]
Now that a 63 percent majority of the Michigan voting public has given the green light to the green leaves of medical marijuana, the question is: how will the program work? Forget the misleading images of California-like "potshops" that were pictured on the website opposing the bill. "The law says you can possess marijuana, you can grow marijuana, but doesn't tell you how you can acquire the drug legally," said James McCurtis, spokesperson for Michigan Department of Mental Health, which will administer the medical marijuana program. [continues 491 words]
Growing Plants for Medical Purposes Will Be Legal - but Having Seeds Won't Though medical marijuana soon will be legal in Michigan, patients and their caregivers still will have to break the law to get it, at least the first time. Proposal 1 will allow approved patients and their caretakers to possess and grow the drug, but there won't be a legal way to get marijuana seeds or seedlings. "How do you get from point A to point B? There is no law that protects you there," said James McCurtis, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health, "and we are not giving any advice on how you get your marijuana." [continues 829 words]
Although the details regarding Proposal 1 and Michigan's upcoming medical marijuana program still are being discussed, some people have concerns about the program's implications. The Board of State Canvassers must meet in the next two to three weeks to certify the 2008 election, after which the Michigan Department of Community Health must promulgate a series of rules to implement the constitutional amendment by Dec. 4. The administrative process must be ready to operate by April 4. Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, said the remaining steps must be taken by the Department of Community Health and she is confident they will meet all deadlines. [continues 337 words]
Larry Myers was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1980, when he woke up to numbness in his limbs one morning while on his honeymoon in California. Since then, the 55-year-old Pinconning man has found relief in marijuana. The only thing that helps calm the spasms the disease causes is puffing on a pipeload of pot. He said his doctor is aware of his use and advised him to continue using it if it provides relief from his symptoms. Myers is glad the law legalizing marijuana for medical use has passed, but wishes it included provisions to get prescriptions written and filled. [continues 232 words]
Michigan voters said yes to medical marijuana by a ratio of nearly 2-1. And while the law takes effect Dec. 4, details of how it will play out remain hazy among doctors, law enforcement officials and state residents who want to use the drug for medicinal purposes. The state's Department of Community Health, through its county-level health departments, has been designated to maintain a registry and issue registration cards to patients and ''caregivers'' who will then be legally allowed to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. The law also allows for patients and their caregivers to grow up to 12 plants, as long as they grown them in an ''enclosed, locked facility.'' The department has until April 4 to have the registry up and running. [continues 996 words]
Universities across Michigan may soon face trouble enforcing a newly passed proposal which legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. Proposal 1, which passed in Michigan in the Nov. 4 election, legalized the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana with a valid prescription. Carl Holm, director of Housing and Residence Life, said NMU has not reached a decision on any campus policy towards medical marijuana. "I haven't given it any thought," he said. "I don't know how often we will deal with this. When I think of people who are (getting medical marijuana), I don't think of college-age students." [continues 408 words]
Downriver voters mirrored the state as a whole in overwhelmingly approving the use of medicinal marijuana. While the passage of Proposal 1 raised eyebrows from opponents, 12 other states have medical marijuana laws, indicating growing support nationwide. South Dakota is the only state that failed to OK a ballot attempt. In Michigan, 63 percent of voters approved it. Perhaps what is even more telling is that unofficial results show all 83 counties voted in favor of medical marijuana. [continues 1175 words]
The votes were clear: Michigan residents gave the green light Tuesday to legalize marijuana for the seriously ill and topple some barriers to using embryonic stem cells for medical research. But the implications of both may be anything but. One day after the ballot proposals passed by healthy margins -- 63-37 percent for marijuana and 53-47 for stem cells -- several questions remained Wednesday. Among them: Q: Will easing Michigan's law on embryonic stem cells lead to new jobs and find cures and therapies for juvenile diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and other maladies? [continues 476 words]
Some Had Opposed Props 1 and 2 By Megha Satyanarayana, Free Press Staff Writer Tuesday's passage of new medical marijuana and embryonic stem-cell laws could pose interesting legal quandaries as the state tries to codify them in upcoming months. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, formerly Proposal 1, would legalize growth and possession of small quantities of marijuana for people with chronic and terminal illnesses to use for pain and nausea relief. The act will be written into law 10 days after the Board of Canvassers approves the November election results, at the latest by Nov. 24, according to Secretary of State officials. The Michigan Department of Community Health will then have 120 days to design the program, which includes identification cards and state oversight. [continues 299 words]
Michigan voters favored sanctioning the use of medical marijuana to treat debilitating illness Tuesday, apparently rejecting arguments that doing so would increase crime and juvenile drug use. The marijuana measure, Proposal 1, led 63% to 37%, with 87% precincts tallied early this morning. The vote was 2,566,783 in favor to 1,526,477 against. When it goes into effect -- 10 days after the vote is certified later this month -- patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other conditions can be authorized to cultivate, possess and use marijuana without fear of prosecution under state law. [continues 264 words]
I am much concerned about Proposal 1. I believe we are asking for trouble if it comes to legalizing marijuana. There will be no control of it. We already have abuse of prescription drugs. Do we need to ask for more problems? Besides, we already have meds to control pain. We are trying to discourage the use of tobacco. How is this any different? People would still be smoking. How about innocent people who have to be around the smokers? They would be taking in secondhand smoke. [continues 101 words]
Inside Michigan
