Pubdate: Sun, 02 Jun 2013
Source: Macomb Daily, The (MI)
Copyright: 2013 The Macomb Daily
Contact:  http://www.macombdaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2253
Author: Andrew Kidd
Page: A-3

FEDERAL CHARITY LISTING OKS FIRST MICHIGAN MARIJUANA NONPROFIT

A Michigan-based marijuana law reform non-profit is the first of its
kind on the list of charities eligible for payroll deduction donations
from federal employees.

Michigan Compassion, a federally recognized 501c(3) non-profit
organization which seeks to introduce people to the concept of
alternative medical uses for the cannabis plant, will be included in
the government's Combined Federal Campaign Catalog Charity Listing.

The catalog is distributed annually to federal military, postal and
civilian employees. The campaign allows employees to payroll-deduct a
charitable contribution to organizations such as the Red Cross, Boy
Scouts of America and the American Cancer Society.

Heidi Parikh, founder and president of Michigan Compassion, said the
organization's listing in the catalog will enhance its ability to
educate and inform about the alternative medical uses of cannabis.

Parikh said one of the obstacles any medical marijuana charity or
advocacy group faces is the stigma associated with the plant, which is
currently listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal
U.S. drug policy.

The Michigan Compassion listing will appear in the Southeastern
Michigan CFC catalog. There are more than 200 CFC listings across the
U.S. and worldwide offering local non-profits and national charities
to federal employees in the region.

For more information about the non-profit, visit www.mycompassion.org.
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MAP posted-by: Matt