Pubdate: Sat, 9 Jul 2010
Source: Flint Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2010 Flint Journal
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/fljournal/letters/
Website: http://www.mlive.com/flint/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/836
Author: Patricia Emenpour, Flint Journal

CENTER IN FLINT TOWNSHIP HELPS PATIENTS SEEK PERMISSION FOR MEDICAL 
MARIJUANA, RECEIVES CRITICISM FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan - The recently opened Michigan Wellness 
Center is drawing criticism from the state Department of Community 
Health over concerns that the center is creating a "drive-in" for 
patients to receive a prescription for medical marijuana.

The Michigan Wellness Center helps patients obtain a card allowing 
them to use medical marijuana. It opened last month at 3095 S. Dye 
Road, Suite A, in Flint Township.

"I'm not a drug dealer. I want to help people," said Nick Panessidi, 
45, of Lansing, owner of the center. "I'm a simple guy trying to help 
people and make a living while doing so."

Panessidi said the center will help patients retrieve a legal 
physician's certification if they come in with the proper medical 
records. The certification is required by the state if a patient 
applies for the medical marijuana card.

Many patients have dealt with rejection from a previous doctor, he said.

As long as the patient signs a consent form, it's legal for the 
center to retrieve a patient's medical records, said James McCurtis, 
a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

But the state has concerns about the center pairing patients with its 
physicians "just so the doctors can do a quick evaluation and then 
recommend medical marijuana."

"A patient and doctor should have an established relationship," 
McCurtis added. "A patient should discuss the pros and cons with 
their regular doctor, not going to see a doctor that is the 
equivalent of going to a drive-in."

Panessidi said the center's goal is to teach and educate people about 
medical marijuana, something he believes the state falls short at doing.

The drug, he said, is not for everyone and should only be used for 
legal purposes. People with "serious ailments" can seek medical 
marijuana as an alternative to over-prescribed narcotics, Panessidi said.

The center sells vaporizers, hydroponic equipment and can set up grow rooms.

Vaporizing extracts the essential oils from the marijuana and turns 
it into a vapor that can be inhaled. The oils can also be extracted 
and incorporated into a variety of edible products like ganja butter.

Details: www.MichiganWellnessCenter.com. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake