Tommy Chong, half of the vintage comedy duo Cheech and Chong, made a series of appearances over the weekend for a big weekend anchored by the 44th Ann Arbor Hash Bash. On Friday there was a breakfast at an Ann Arbor-area hotel, along with about 50 invited guests. I managed to get in with someone who had a plus-one invite - her husband was out of town, so I got in. I figured it would be interesting to hear what Chong had to say and maybe I'd get a few laughs. [continues 892 words]
It looks like voting on recreational marijuana is nearly a done deal in Michigan for the 2016 elections, unless the state Legislature gets in on the act and passes a legalization bill even sooner. The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee (MCCLRIC) has announced its intention to circulate petitions to put recreational legalization on the ballot next year. Another group, the Michigan Responsibility Council (MRC), has reportedly been preparing its own petition for a different system of legalization. And state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, has plans to reintroduce legalization legislation this session. [continues 836 words]
LANSING (AP) - A statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiative is planned for 2016 that aims to allow residents to cultivate their own plants and allow other uses of the drug. The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee says Thursday it plans a petition drive. The committee's chairman Jeffrey Hank says in a statement "the time is right" to create "a responsible tax and regulation system for adult use age 21 and over, and permits the farming of hemp for Michigan agriculture, food and industry." [continues 55 words]
A statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiative is planned for 2016 that aims to allow residents to cultivate their own plants and allow other uses of the drug. The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee says Thursday it plans a petition drive. The committee's chairman Jeffrey Hank says in a statement "the time is right" to create "a responsible tax and regulation system for adult use age 21 and over, and permits the farming of hemp for Michigan agriculture, food and industry." [continues 55 words]
Alan and Christi Marshall own 10 English Bulldogs so it seems like a natural extension that the company they own along with Phil Sable would take on that moniker. Bulldog Provisioning Center even sports a picture of a rather tough-looking bulldog on its logo. But Pullo, the dog wandering the premises the day I visited, was more cuddly than threatening as he waddled about the provisioning center seeking a little affection. Pullo rubbed against the legs of a patient who bent over to scratch his neck on a slow afternoon - apparently they've become pals. [continues 837 words]
Recreational marijuana use was legalized in Washington, D.C., and Alaska this year. D.C.'s legalization has prompted some congressional Republicans to try to undermine the city's reforms. However, the experience of states that have already legalized, and economic theory, both indicate that legalization creates more benefits than costs. Recreational use and possession of marijuana up to 2 ounces is now legal in Washington, D.C., for individuals 21 and older (1 ounce in Alaska). Although the sale of marijuana is still illegal in D.C., gifts of up to 1 ounce are permitted. Marijuana must be consumed on private property and individuals are allowed to home grow up to six marijuana plants in both D.C. and Alaska. Alaska plans to allow marijuana retailer licensing beginning in 2016, but D.C. has not announced any plans to legalize the sale of marijuana. [continues 503 words]
If marijuana is a gateway drug what is baby aspirin? If marijuana was truly being treated like a medicine, where are the privacy protections that come with all drugs? Do you need a state sponsored card to eat your anti depressants? Your sleeping pills? Daniel Hackett, Marysville [end]
Steve Siebold's point is well taken ("Time To Legalize Marijuana," Feb. 28), however, the problem isn't the war on drugs but rather the war on a relatively safe God-given plant... More specifically a war against the "spirit of truth." Stan White, Dillon, Colorado [end]
The debate over the side effects of marijuana vs. alcohol, along with the lingering question of whether or not marijuana should be legal, has been long running and probably won't end anytime soon. But according to new research published in the journal Scientific Reports, that looked at things people take to get high or drunk, weed is the least fatal. And guess what the deadliest was? Alcohol. Not only was weed the least lethal, it was roughly 114 times less deadly than booze, according to the authors. Put science aside, and most anyone who has smoked pot will tell you it has a softer effect than alcohol. If alcohol and marijuana were animals, alcohol would be an anaconda and pot would be a housecat. Yet pot will land you in jail but you can drink alcohol in the White House. [continues 341 words]
It looks like longtime state activists will mount an effort to put the question of legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults on the 2016 ballot. They're being pushed by the appearance of a new organization, the Michigan Responsibility Council (MRC), with ties to the state Republican Party, that has its own plans to tax and regulate the plant. Either group will have to fight to get it on the ballot and probably faces a tougher fight to garner enough votes to pass it. The idea of a split electorate having to choose between plans does not bode well for either side. [continues 883 words]
Lansing - Two prominent Oakland County Republican political operatives are behind a new advocacy group that is exploring a 2016 ballot initiative legalizing marijuana use if the Legislature won't reform the existing medicinal cannabis law. Suzie Mitchell, a Republican political fundraiser, and GOP consultant Paul Welday have formed the Michigan Responsibility Council with other unidentified members to advocate for a state-regulated distribution of medical marijuana. Mitchell, who is chairing the group, said they want lawmakers to create a system of "regulation with taxation" of medical marijuana to ensure it is safe and accessible to people in all corners of the state. [continues 187 words]
Lansing - Four state lawmakers are reviving bills to legalize an array of medical marijuana products and dispensaries where they'd be sold after last year's effort was shot down by last-minute criticism from law enforcement and health groups. Republican Rep. Mike Callton of Nashville, main sponsor of one of the bills, argues Michigan needs clear laws and regulations allowing "provisioning centers" where patients legally get marijuana in various forms suited to their needs. Last year's bills died during the two-week lame-duck legislative session in December as opponents said police and public health agencies hadn't been allowed to weigh in and saw problems with what was proposed. The sponsors promise to remedy any shortcomings this time around. [continues 1030 words]
Lansing (AP) - Confusion surrounding the legality of marijuana dispensaries and non-smokable forms of the drug are prompting lawmakers to propose changes related to Michigan's voter-approved law that legalized marijuana for medical use. Bipartisan legislation introduced Thursday would allow for "provisioning centers," businesses where patients with a state-issued medical marijuana card could buy surplus marijuana that suppliers produce for other patients. Advocates say the bill is needed because the state Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that qualified patients and caregivers cannot transfer marijuana to another patient or anyone else, and dispensaries that facilitate such transactions can be shut down as a public nuisance. Some municipalities have let the dispensaries continue to operate while others have not. [continues 509 words]
Couple, Who Were Not Charged, Say Detroit Police Lacked Warrant A Warren couple whose medical marijuana operation was raided by the Detroit Police Department's narcotics unit have filed a civil lawsuit against the officers, including one who killed himself after being investigated for corruption by the FBI and Internal Affairs. The complaint was filed Wednesday in federal court by Timothy and Hatema Davis and names the city of Detroit as well as Lt. Charles Flanagan, former head of the DPD's narcotics unit, Detective James Napier and officers "Novak" and "John Doe." [continues 609 words]
DeMarius "DJ" Tidwells is a not unusual 18-year-old Detroiter. He is a senior at Covenant House Academy on the west side and expects to graduate this June. He's wondering about his future - thinking about college or possibly starting his own business. His interests haven't settled on any one thing, but he talks about possibly starting a transportation company, or a landscaping company, or getting into law enforcement, or opening a marijuana dispensary. "I believe that it's a good career, the money is legal, and you're also helping out people for a medical reason," DJ says. [continues 851 words]
Peter Trzos submits proposals to city government A Keego Harbor resident is working to change the city's charter with two new ballot proposals. One involves setting limits for how long a city council member can serve on the council and the other decriminalizes marijuana. The man behind the proposals, Peter Trzos, 33, said his goal in coming up with the proposals is two-fold. "I want to get good laws passed and to get a name for myself as a positive activist," he said. [continues 442 words]
The Howell City Council will consider a medical marijuana ordinance Monday that allows, but regulates, "provisioning" and growing centers and sets use standards for licensed caregivers operating out of residences. It doesn't affect home use by individual patients with state registration cards. The council meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Paul Bennett Recreation Center, 925 W. Grand River Ave. Though approval isn't guaranteed, a local attorney specializing in medical marijuana issues praised the city for tackling the subject. [continues 273 words]
Several residents are suggesting that, instead of raising the sales tax to pay to fix Michigan roads, to instead start taxing marijuana. A poll shows that 64 percent of Michigan voters would vote yes on instating a marijuana sales tax, 28 percent would vote no, and 8 percent are undecided, according to Fox 2. But Gov. Snyder said he doesn't think this is the solution. Snyder's idea, to raise the sales tax, isn't gaining as much support though. Polls show that 49 percent would vote no and 43 percent would vote yes, reports Fox 2. [end]
"This is not going away, every community organization that I'm aware of in this city is looking for the same thing, and it's to not have Detroit become the Wild West city in the state of Michigan for medical marijuana," says Jim Ward, president of the Green Acres radio patrol (GWCRP), a community watch group. Ward has been attending meetings with other Detroiters concerned with what they see as the over-proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. Maybe, just as the creation of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act was, this is a case of citizens stepping in where the state has failed to perform. [continues 858 words]
Number of Patients, Caregivers Continues to Fall Defense attorneys said the reality is that clarifying the law has been left to the courts with many defendants on hold for several years. Many have been busted for opening dispensaries that prosecutors and law enforcement said aren't allowed under the law. The number of caregivers and patients continues to drop as Michigan's highest court weighs in on long-pending criminal cases involving the state's medical marijuana program approved by voters in 2008. [continues 996 words]
Inside Michigan
