Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2011 Source: Holland Sentinel (MI) Copyright: 2011 GateHouse Media, Inc. Contact: http://extra.hollandsentinel.com/submitletter.shtml Website: http://www.hollandsentinel.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1145 Author: Peter Daining, The Holland Sentinel SENATE PANEL APPROVES BAN ON MARIJUANA BARS, CLUBS Lansing, MI - Legislation banning the organization and operation of marijuana bars and clubs in Michigan was approved by a Senate panel Thursday. Senate Bill 17, which would prohibit marijuana bars or clubs from forming, was approved by the Senate Health Policy Committee and now heads to the full Senate. "Nobody should be using medical marijuana and then getting in a car and driving away," said sponsor Sen. Rick Jones, who represents Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties. "Lots of people use prescription vicodin for pain, but we don't have vicodin clubs. My measure will help ensure that people using medical marijuana do so more safely." The bill defines marijuana bars and clubs as property where medical marijuana is used for a paid fee. Violators of the proposed law would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in prison or a maximum fine of $500. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake