Pubdate: Sat, 18 Feb 2012
Source: Livonia Observer (MI)
Copyright: 2012 Observer & Eccentric Newspapers
Contact: http://www.hometownlife.com/section/CUSTOMERSERVICE20
Website: http://www.hometownlife.com/section/NEWS10
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5277

HEARINGS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA REFORM BEGIN THURSDAY

State Rep. John Walsh said Wednesday the House Judiciary Committee 
will begin a series of hearings Thursday, Feb. 23, on a four-bill 
package to clarify the 2008 law addressing medical marijuana.

"The intent of the voters was not to allow the back-door legalization 
of marijuana when this issue was on the ballot, and our intent is to 
close loopholes in the law," said Walsh, R-Livonia, chair of the committee.

The Feb. 23 hearing will include a presentation by the bipartisan 
work group on medical marijuana headed by Reps. Ken Horn, 
R-Frankenmuth, and Phil Cavanagh, D-Redford Township. Walsh empaneled 
the group during the summer and the work group has been meeting with 
interested parties for months to address the proposed changes.

The hearings, in Room 519 of the House Office Building, focus on:

* House Bill 4834, a measure requiring photo ID for registered 
patients and limited access by law enforcement to the medical 
marijuana registry;

* House Bill 4851, requiring a bona fide doctor-patient relationship 
to end the current practice of doctors certifying patients without 
even seeing the patients in person;

* House Bill 4853, amending sentencing guidelines for some 
marijuana-related crimes; and

* House Bill 4856, which clarifies rules involving transportation of 
medical marijuana in a vehicle.

"These measures are necessary to eliminate the ambiguities in the law 
so that legitimate patients have safe access to medical marijuana," 
Walsh said. "The changes also will give municipalities and law 
enforcement officials a clear framework in which to administer the 
intent of the law."

Hearings on the distribution process of medical marijuana will be 
conducted at a later date, Walsh said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart