Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick filed a claim of appeal to challenge Judge Paul Chamberlain's Dec. 16 ruling that a local medical marijuana dispensary legally operates under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. Compassionate Apothecary, 311 Michigan Ave., now operating as C.A. of Mount Pleasant, had its legality challenged by Burdick in August. C.A. functions as a distributor of medical marijuana through caregiver to patient transfers. Burdick argued the dispensary was not legal because the law, approved by voters in 2008 as a ballot initiative, did not stipulate how the substance may be legally distributed. [continues 363 words]
A Mount Pleasant medical marijuana dispensary is operating within the parameters of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, Isabella County Judge Paul Chamberlain ruled in an opinion today. Compassionate Apothecary, 311 W. Michigan St., which now operates as C.A. of Mount Pleasant, had its legality challenged by Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick in August. Burdick argued the dispensary was not legal because the law, approved by voters in 2008 as a ballot initiative, did not stipulate how the substance may be legally distributed. He wanted an injunction against Compassionate Apothecary, but Chamberlain ruled the business operates legally. [continues 160 words]
Marijuana is prohibited on Central Michigan University's campus, despites the state's legalization of the substance for medical purposes. CMU must abide by federal law, which states the substance, whether medicinal or recreational, is illegal to use or possess. "Federal law supersedes state law," said Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life. "No marijuana is allowed on campus." Campus Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the university policy forbids possession, storage and use of medical marijuana. But he said Residence Life is willing to work with students who need marijuana for medical purposes. [continues 373 words]
A local medical marijuana distributor was in court last week defending charges from Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick. He claims Brandon McQueen and Matt Taylor, owners of Compassionate Apothecary, 311 W. Michigan St., are illegally distributing medical marijuana by dispensing the substance to patients other than those who are designated as caregivers. This, Burdick, said is in violation of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008. "The Michigan legislature set up a specific framework in which the medical marijuana is to be used," Burdick said. "The argument under statutory framework is that because they didn't include dispensaries (in the law) they didn't mean to include dispensaries." [continues 293 words]
