Ottawa Compassionate Care

Michigan Medical Marijuana Angers some police

Michigan’s new medical marijuana law went into effect in December and the first batch of 150 state ID cards were mailed out earlier this month to approved applicants, with more to come as the department of health is besieged with nearly 54 applications per day. So far so good, but not everyone is happy with the new law, as local law enforcement decries the perceived loopholes and inconsistency of the law as its written. Putting aside any issues with the wording of the law, many local police simply don’t approve of legalizing cannabis for medical use, believing it’s the first step towards full decriminalization.

The negative feelings of local police towards Michigan’s new medical marijuana law are not shared by the state’s residents however, where the law was approved by sixty-three percent of the voters. Howell Police Chief George Basar, is an outspoken critic of the law believing supporters of the law, appealed to people’s emotions, tugging on their heartstrings when evidence was shown it helped people in pain with chronic medical conditions.

Residents bought into the media message that “if it makes a patient feel better, OK,” said Basar. Police Chief Basar believes there are other legal remedies available for pain and that allowing medical marijuana to be used for pain is a mistake.

People in pain with debilitating conditions that can only be relived by medical marijuana, strongly disagree. Michigan patients suffering from such diseases as diabetes, cancer, hepatitis C and Crohn’s disease, report that marijuana alleviates the pain, nausea and eases inflammation, allowing them to engage in a more normal life, without the dangerous side effect from many prescription opiates.

True, the Michigan law does have some inconsistencies that need tightened up. For starters, the law allows approved user to grow 12 plants for personal use, as long as it’s cultivated in a locked area. However, the marijuana seeds and plants are still illegal to obtain. Additionally, a recent court case ruled the law can be applied retroactively, allowing a person arrested with marijuana claiming it was for medical use, to apply for a state ID card. If the arrested person is granted the ID card, the charges are dropped.

Livingston County Undersheriff Michael Murphy is upset that people caught with 2.6 ounces of pot, with the the law allowing 2.5 ounces, may not spend any time in jail for their crime. He intends to send any discovered cache of pot to the lab for testing and weighing and intends to bring charges if it exceeds the legal amount of 2.5 ounces, even by a tiny fraction of an ounce.

Murphy is also concerned that people will produce fake doctor’s letters and counterfeit state marijuana IDs.

Health department spokesman James McCurtis Jr., acknowledged there are some kinks to work out in the law as government officials put it in place. He is working on personal registration numbers for each ID, meanwhile he advises police to contact the health department office if they question the validity of an ID card.

Michigan’s medical marijuana law allows a patient, with a doctor’s recommendation, to register through the MDCH to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked facility, such as a closet, room or other enclosed area.

Local police are also voicing concerns regarding the number of marijuana plants allowed to patients to cultivate, believing they can harvest a sizable stash, but the law limits the amount of actual ground pot at 2.5 ounces.

Despite law enforcement gripes, most Michigan residents are supportive of the new law. Michigan became the 13th state to decriminalize marijuana for medical uses, and more states are soon to follow suit.

Link: http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/04/27/michigans-medical-marijuana-law-angers-law-enforcement/
Source: 2009 ChattahBox News Blog