Pubdate: Fri, 3 Sep 2010
Source: Central Michigan Life (Central MI U, MI Edu)
Copyright: 2010 Central Michigan Life
Contact:  http://www.cm-life.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808
Author: Maria Amante
Cited: CMU Police http://www.cmich.edu/Police.htm
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+medical+marijuana
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA NOT ALLOWED ON CMU'S CAMPUS; LEGAL DISPUTES 
MOUNTING THROUGHOUT MICHIGAN

Marijuana is prohibited on Central Michigan University's campus, 
despites the state's legalization of the substance for medical purposes.

CMU must abide by federal law, which states the substance, whether 
medicinal or recreational, is illegal to use or possess.

"Federal law supersedes state law," said Joan Schmidt, associate 
director of Residence Life. "No marijuana is allowed on campus."

Campus Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the university policy forbids 
possession, storage and use of medical marijuana.

But he said Residence Life is willing to work with students who need 
marijuana for medical purposes.

"If (students) live on campus, they're not going to say, 'We're 
kicking you out,'" Yeagley said. "If you have an issue, you need to 
move off campus and it's a legit reason to move off campus."

Schmidt said the first offense of possession or use entails a fine of 
$100. Second offenses are punished with a possible suspension or $300 
fine. She also said police may be involved, though whether to take 
legal action is ultimately their decision.

However, they yield to the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Maura Casey, White Lake sophomore, said marijuana practices on campus 
should match the state's law.

"As long as you don't smoke on campus, possession shouldn't be a 
problem." Casey said.

Eastern Michigan University recently banned medical marijuana on 
their campus, according to reports from the Eastern Echo.

The penalty on EMU's campus for a first offense matches CMU's.

Legal Disputes

Medical marijuana has been a point of contention recently as a Mount 
Pleasant establishment, Compassionate Apothecary, was called to court 
by Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick to dispute whether the 
dispensary is legal. No judgment has been released.

Similarly, in Dryden, the Lapeer County Sheriff seized 50 marijuana 
plants, scales and $3,500 from a dispensary called Compassionate Care.

James McCurtis, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of 
Community Health, said his department does not regulate dispensaries, 
nor do they deal with enforcement of the law; it simply decides who 
is able to receive a medical marijuana card.

"Dispensaries aren't even mentioned in the law," McCurtis said. "That 
is going to need to be clarified through the legislature or court system."

Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, introduced a bill to stop consumption 
of marijuana on the premises of dispensaries.

Jones said the goal of this particular bill is not to make 
dispensaries illegal. However, he said medical marijuana should be 
treated like a standard pharmaceutical and given from a prescription 
by a doctor and brought to a pharmacy for distribution.

"I don't want dispensaries to become places where they smoke the 
product and then drive away," Jones said. "The ballot initiative was 
written very gray, it's not clear." 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake