Pubdate: Thu, 14 Nov 2013
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2013 Detroit Free Press
Contact: http://www.freep.com/article/99999999/opinion04/50926009
Website: http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Kathleen Gray
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Prairie+Plant

BILL ALLOWING MEDICAL MARIJUANA SALES IN PHARMACIES PASSES MICHIGAN SENATE

LANSING -- A bill that would allow for the growing of
pharmaceutical-grade marijuana and sale at pharmacies in Michigan
passed the state Senate on Wednesday on a 22-16 vote.

The bill was lauded by supporters as a way to guarantee a safe, tested
product for medical marijuana users. But opponents said it did nothing
to address shortfalls in Michigan's current medical marijuana law and
would outsource production from home growers to out-of-state
corporations.

"Why are we spending taxpayer time and resources for an out-of-state
corporate constituent who may or may not come to the state," said
Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing. "And we're
not doing squat for anything to help current constituents who cannot
access medical marijuana."

The bill was supported in committee last week by Chuck Perricone, who
represents Prairie Plant Systems, a Canadian company that grows and
sells pharmaceutical cannabis. It was opposed by many who support the
original medical marijuana law.

But Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, said the bill provides
another, safer alternative for medical marijuana users.

"It's a straightforward bill that seeks to treat medical marijuana
like other drugs," he said.

And Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said the bill will begin the
process of getting marijuana sales out of homes and into pharmacies.

"It's time to get marijuana out of houses and put it somewhere else,"
he said. "Let the pharmaceutical companies grow it and sell it in
pharmacies."

The bill doesn't do anything, however, to stop home growers or care
givers from continuing to grow marijuana for people who hold
doctor-approved medical marijuana certificates.

The bill would: amend the public health code and classify marijuana as
a Schedule 2 controlled substance; provide for the licensure and
regulation of facilities to grow and test pharmaceutical-grade pot,
and allow those facilities to sell the drug to pharmacies to dispense.

Medical marijuana users would have to get an additional, enhanced
certificate from a doctor in order to be able to buy the drug from a
pharmacy. The bill also would restrict the sale of
pharmaceutical-grade cannabis to 2 ounces per month, per customer, who
is at least 18 years old.

The legislation is contingent upon the federal government
reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule 2 controlled substance, which
would give it medical legitimacy and would allow pharmacies to
dispense it. Marijuana is now a Schedule 1 controlled substance, which
the federal government still considers an illegal substance with no
medical benefit.

Whitmer tried to add an amendment that would decriminalize
recreational use of marijuana, but that amendment failed on a 22-10
vote.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt