Pubdate: Mon, 29 Aug 2011
Source: Leader & Kalkaskian (MI)
Copyright: 2011 Morning Star Publishing, a Journal Register Property
Contact:  http://www.morningstarpublishing.com/leader_and_kalkaskian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5238
Author: Bryce Martin
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries

AREA MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES ORDER TO CEASE ACTIVITIES

TRAVERSE CITY -- Several private medical marijuana dispensaries in 
northwest lower Michigan have been ordered to cease their operations 
as a result of a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling Wednesday.

The court's ruling called for all privately owned and operated 
marijuana dispensaries within the state to stop selling marijuana to 
their clientele, which affects several businesses in the Traverse City area.

Sun Compassion, located at 5690 U.S. 131 North in Acme, just outside 
Traverse City, considers themselves "consultants," making no verbal 
reference to their operation as a collective or dispensary.

Marijuana can be found on their premises, however.

A member of Sun Compassion, who would not provide his name, said the 
ruling simply meant Sun Compassion would no longer accept new 
members. Their operations will continue for existing members.

"Sun Compassion is open to its members and not accepting new 
membership," he said. "Here we offer medical marijuana consultation 
services, whether that'd be somebody may need to buy some variety in 
particular that might work for their condition."

The man only referred to Sun Compassion as an information resource 
for medicinal marijuana users.

"There are no other agencies or places you can go out there and find 
information," he said.

Sun Compassion can no longer conduct any patient-to-patient 
transfers, however, stated within the court's ruling.

Asked if Sun Compassion was considered a dispensary, the man said it 
was not, but stated there is no legal definition for a dispensary, 
collective, co-operative or a compassion club.

When asked if marijuana was found on their premises, he chose not to answer.

Sun Compassion's website states: "Sun Compassion is a premier 
dispensary in Acme founded to assist our members in safely and 
securely obtaining medical cannabis in accordance with the Michigan 
Marijuana Act of 2008 aE& We provide a warm and comfortable 
environment in which members can securely obtain a wide variety of 
medical cannabis products."

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said he would notify all 83 
county prosecutors as a result of the ruling, as law-enforcement 
authorities can now immediately shut down dispensaries.

"This ruling is a huge victory for public safety and Michigan 
communities struggling with an invasion of pot shops near their 
schools, homes and churches," Schuette said in a statement.

The 2008 medical marijuana law states people are able to possess up 
to 2.5 ounces of "usable" pot and keep up to 12 plants in a locked 
place. No mention of dispensaries was made in the law, on which the 
Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals.

"If I operate a compassion club, where is the law? It's simply stated 
that patient-to-patient transfers of all sorts are now illegal, 
nothing else, nothing further," he said.

NOTE: As part of a statewide publication initiative through Journal 
Register Company, papers under their ownership -- including The 
Leader -- will be running various articles related to medicinal 
marijuana and all of its aspects, currently slated to begin Oct. 2.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom