Pubdate: Wed, 12 Sep 2012
Source: State News, The (MI State U, MI Edu)
Copyright: 2012 The State News
Contact:  http://www.statenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1246
Author: Rachel Jackson

MARIJUANA LAW SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The state medical marijuana law, which went into effect four years
ago, could be at the center of legislative debates again this fall if
some state lawmakers have their way.

The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, which allows patients to use or
grow marijuana for medical relief, has been a hot-button issue since
its passage, prompting amendments from critics and rallies from supporters.

But a handful of recently proposed amendments could change some of the
law's language and reach.

One bill could allow police to access cardholder registry records,
which medical marijuana advocates argue would target both patients and
caregivers.

State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said the act was misleading to
voters in 2008, and he would like to see it challenged through a
ballot vote if possible.

"In my opinion, if this was put back on the ballot, many people would
change their vote, and it would probably not pass this time," Jones
said.

Chemistry freshman Drew Murasky said there always is the possibility
of people taking advantage of the law, but there is not enough reason
to attempt to overturn it by a ballot vote.

"It's (ridiculous) that he is trying to restrict medical marijuana,"
he said. "Sure, it could be abused, but it's not really harming anyone
- -- (marijuana) has many medicinal values."

Jones and other legislators have proposed amendments to prohibit the
creation of marijuana bars or clubs -- establishments where patients
pay to smoke in the facility -- and restrict marijuana cultivation
near churches and schools.

But to David Clark, an Okemos, Mich., lawyer specializing in medical
marijuana, most critics who find fault with the law are generalizing
about marijuana legalization as a whole and not specifying which
portions of the 2008 act are poorly written.

Clark said claims of people abusing the act are not illegitimate, but
saying voters were duped about the law four years ago is a "blanket of
complaint."

If voters had the choice to vote on the act again, the outcome likely
would be the same as in 2008.

"I think over and over they would continue to pass it for the reasons
they passed it the first time," he said. "People believe marijuana can
be an instrument to provide pain relief."

Michael Komorn, president of the Michigan Medical Marijuana
Association, said legislators are approaching the issue from a public
safety perspective when it should be addressed as a public health concern.

"Their information in signing up aE& to the state was never going to
be released, and if it was, those people were not going to be
prosecuted," he said.

For legislators to examine the medical marijuana law differently than
other health laws is unfair to patients who require it as a
painkiller, Komorn said.

Jones said he has no problems with people using medical marijuana for
chronic illnesses or debilitating pain, but he has heard too many
cases of young people obtaining a license without a legitimate cause.

Komorn said the medical marijuana debate comes down to legislators
acting beyond their means.

"How can you justify, four years into a program, changing the rules?"
Komorn said. "That's like saying in the ninth inning of a baseball
game, 'OK, we're going to go to three balls and two strikes the rest
of the way.' It's not fair."
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MAP posted-by: Matt