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