The Michigan Supreme Court issued a landmark opinion June 8 that 11-carboxy-THC, a byproduct of THC, is not a schedule 1 controlled substance under state law. People v Feezel* reversed the Court of Appeals, vacated the convictions, and sent the case back to the trial court by overturning the 2006 Derror ruling. Feezel was charged with driving a motor vehicle that struck and killed an intoxicated person walking down the middle of a street in Ann Arbor, MI on a dark and rainy night. He was convicted at a trial where other drivers testified that only moments earlier they had driven by and almost hit the victim. Feezel's blood was examined and the lab reports admitted at trial. Per the Derror decision, Feezel's jury had been instructed that any amount of even a metabolite byproduct was sufficient evidence of impairment. [continues 287 words]
The government should not be wasting time trying to put sick patients in jail when they use medical marijuana to ease their suffering. Numerous studies show that medical marijuana is effective in treating patients with debilitating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cancer. Protecting medical marijuana patients from arrest can bring people back into society who currently lack effective treatment and are crippled by their symptoms. Michigan should stand on the side of compassion and care, not senselessly punish people who are trying to care for themselves. I am looking forward to voting yes on the medical marijuana proposal if it's put on the ballot! Matthew R. Abel Attorney at law Detroit [end]
