The state's medical marijuana program -- begun in April -- hasn't created headaches for Livingston County's law enforcement, but likely will as the program grows, said county Sheriff Bob Bezotte. The Michigan Medical Marihuana Program allows patients with debilitating illnesses to grow and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes. Those approved receive cards that indicate their participation in the program. The measure was approved by Michigan voters Nov. 4, 2008, and is overseen by the Michigan Department of Community Health. As of Dec. 11, 11,517 program applications had been received, 6,439 patient registrations issued, 2,686 caregiver registrations issued and 1,981 applications denied. [continues 757 words]
NEWARK -- Safe sex and sanitary drug use are not subjects most people expect to hear about in church, but in Newark, where one in 47 people have HIV/AIDS, one woman is urging local pastors to put aside their discomfort and start using the pulpit to preach about AIDS prevention. "We talk about basic HIV transmission and the role the congregation can play in stemming the epidemic," said Deloris Dockery, who is HIV positive and heads the program "One Conversation," a part of the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation. [continues 847 words]
LYNDEBOROUGH -- Carl Hedberg calls himself a "cannabis care coach," and he's on a mission to help others reduce their pain. Four years ago, Hedberg, 53, had exhausted all methods to try to alleviate his chronic migraines. Over-the-counter and prescribed medication weren't working. In an effort to find a successful alternative that would also decrease his use of pharmaceutical painkillers, he began to do research. He discovered Dr. Lester Grinspoon's books, which outlined the positive and negative uses of medicinal marijuana. After meeting with him, Hedberg, who said he had used marijuana recreationally in college, decided to take small doses of it for his headaches. It was a success. [continues 1020 words]
Despite a 27-month and one week delay to bring a Peterborough businessman's drug case to trial, a Superior Court judge ruled the man's charter rights were not infringed and ordered the case to trial. [name redacted], the owner of [business name redacted] on The Queensway, was charged on Oct. 15, 2007 with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking and possession of oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking after police searched his home and business. [continues 218 words]
KALAMAZOO -- A shop specializing in hydroponic-growing equipment opened this month in Three Rivers. In January, classes on soil nutrition and proper lighting will begin in Kalamazoo. By March, a cooperative in Benton Harbor may be doling out ounces of pot to patients. The medical-marijuana economy, booming on the east side of the state, is sprouting in Southwest Michigan. There's no limitation in terms of the level of growth in this industry," said Charlie Smith, secretary of the Kalamazoo Area Compassion Club, a group of 62 registered marijuana patients and caregivers and their supporters. [continues 1127 words]
In saying patients testifying in support of medical marijuana are somehow willing dupes of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, isn't Capt. Charles Wood of the Wisconsin Narcotics Officers Association really insinuating they are stupid (Opinions, Dec. 21)? Gov. Jim Doyle has said he'd sign the bill if it reached his desk. I can only imagine what Wood must think of him. Are concerns about job security behind Wood's hurtful and condescending attitude? Could he be worried if more people learn, despite years of propaganda to the contrary, that cannabis is a safe and effective medicine, it might spontaneously trigger full-scale legalization? [continues 154 words]
As Wisconsin is debating passing a bill that would permit the use of medical marijuana, I can only hope that those against the bill stop for one moment and consider those of us who suffer. This bill is about helping the sick, not about political posturing. The simple facts are that marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for many different ailments, and, therefore, its recommended distribution should be in the hands of doctors. It seems to me that all plants were put here for a reason. If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn't determined it safe by now, then the agency never will. So enough with the political debate. Let trained medical doctors determine when its use will benefit patients. This bill has nothing to do with the recreational use of marijuana and will not impact its use for recreation as some may argue. Brett Waite Cedar Grove [end]
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico - This is known as the most dangerous city in the world and it feels like it. Half of Juarez - just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas - looks like a ghost town; the other resembles a battle zone briefly gone quiet so that cars can get out. Many assembly plants are silent, commercial centers are as lifeless as the cotton fields east of town, restaurants and bars are half-empty, and even the facade of the morgue is riddled with bullets. Thousands of run-down cars seem to be just cruising, their drivers having no destination in mind. Street vendors in the small plaza where the cathedral stands do little more than talk to each other, and the soldiers riding around with their fingers on the triggers look more tense than the civilians. [continues 613 words]
