Pubdate: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 Source: Lansing State Journal (MI) Copyright: 2010 Lansing State Journal Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uc45fODd Website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/232 Author: Scott Davis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries MEDICAL MARIJUANA SHOP A LANSING FIRST City Looks to Regulate New Business In a storefront in Lansing's Old Town, Darryl Brija waits patiently in a chair while Rochelle Harris checks his driver's license and measures out a quarter-ounce of marijuana. Brija, 52, of Potterville, hands over $90 in cash. Harris hands him the plastic bag of marijuana, which Brija slips into his jacket pocket. The transaction is business as usual at Lansing's first official medical marijuana dispensary, which might test the limits of the state's medicinal marijuana law. The business, still unnamed, opened last week as Lansing city officials work toward drafting a city ordinance to regulate marijuana-related businesses. "It gives peace of mind that there is a place where I can go to buy it," said Brija, who is state-certified to use marijuana for a degenerative back disease. "It's a good thing for people who can't grow it themselves." Danny Trevino, a Lansing man who sells marijuana-growing equipment at Hydro World in Lansing, opened the dispensary at 407 E. Grand River Ave. Mid-Michigan marijuana advocates say dispensaries have been operating informally out of a few Lansing homes for months, but Trevino's business marks the first official one in the city. Trevino acknowledges such dispensaries are a "gray area" in the year-old medicinal marijuana law because state statute does not expressly allow for their creation. The law states authorized caregivers can grow up to 12 plants for someone certified to use marijuana for a medical problem, and a patient can carry only 2.5 ounces of the herb at one time. Some lawmakers intended that the law would allow users to either grow the marijuana themselves or buy it from a specific caregiver. But Trevino contends his business is legal because he "contracts" with more than 20 caregivers to supply the marijuana for his business; the patient then signs paperwork authorizing the business as caregiver. Patients can buy up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at a time. Some afternoons, 30 or more customers might visit the dispensary. "It appears to be operating within the medical marijuana law as we currently understand it, but the City Council and city attorney are reviewing this very issue," police Lt. Noel Garcia said. "We hope to have more guidance soon to make sure they are operating a legal enterprise." Other Lansing-area communities considering rules related to medical marijuana include Charlotte and East Lansing. Trevino said one Old Town business owner already has voiced his displeasure at the dispensary opening. Officials of the Old Town Commercial Association were more welcoming. "Old Town has many different businesses down here," said Brittney Hoszkiw, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association. "It takes a variety of different kinds of businesses to make up a commercial district, and this is an example of that." Meanwhile, several customers this week said they are glad to see the dispensary open because they either can't grow the herb or don't wish to become the target of home burglars. Trevino adds medicinal marijuana users often can't rely on a caregiver to provide a steady supply. Jerry Penrose, 27, of Lansing, said he had a problem getting medical marijuana regularly from his previous caregiver. He was in the dispensary this week buying marijuana to help him treat his hemophilia. "I won't grow it myself because I have kids in the house," Penrose said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom