Tracknum: 12539.201302070703.r1773jys012502
Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2013
Source: Oakland Press, The (MI)
Copyright: 2013 The Oakland Press
Contact:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2114
Author: Charles Crumm

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: MICHIGAN TAKES IN NEARLY $3 FOR EVERY $1 SPENT TO
ADMINISTER IT

Michigan took in nearly three times as much money as it costs to
administer the state's medical marijuana program last year.

In order, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties list the most
qualified medical marijuana patients and caregivers.

The most common condition listed as a reason for issuing a medical
marijuana permission was "severe and chronic pain."

That's the gist of annual reports required to be sent to the
Legislature on Michigan's Medical Marihuana law, approve by voters in
2008.

Medical marijuana users have to pay $100 to register. Caregivers also
have to be approved. They're allowed to acquire 2.5 ounces of usable
marijuana and grow up to 12 plants per qualifying patient, according
to the state website.

Michigan took in nearly $9.9 million and it cost $3.6 million to
administer the program, the report to the Legislature says.

The status of medical marijuana is one of the reports required by
lawmakers each year.

As of the end of the last fiscal year Sept. 30, Wayne County had
14,736 patients and 5,515 qualified caregivers, Macomb County had
8,319 patients and 3,542 caregivers, Washtenaw County had 4,458
patients and 1,805 caregivers, and Oakland County had 11,117 patients
and 4,425 caregivers.

Statewide, there are 124,131 qualified patients and 50,188 caregivers.