DrugSense

DrugSense

Metro Times, 13 Feb 2013 – State’s High Court Lowers the Boom The Michigan Supreme Court dropped a bomb last Friday that still has a lot of medical marijuana patients, caregivers and people who run so-called dispensaries disoriented as to how to continue operating under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.

Detroit News, 12 Feb 2013 – On Feb. 8, the Michigan Supreme Court issued its opinion in People v. McQueen, commonly otherwise known as the "Compassionate Apothecary" or "CA" case. The CA was a medical marijuana dispensary in Mt. Pleasant that was cited as a public nuisance because it facilitated the transfer of medical marijuana to patients. The Michigan Court of Appeals found that while the registered caregiver-patient transfer of marijuana for medical purposes was a protected act under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008, compensated transfers of marijuana from patients to other patients, or from caregivers to patients who were not registered to them through the state registry program, were not protected acts. The CA appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, which granted leave on the question of whether patient-to-patient sales are permitted under the MMMA.

Detroit Free Press, 09 Feb 2013 – I found the article about the Michigan government making a windfall from medical marijuana registrations interesting, because the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act only allows for the funds collected to offset the costs of implementing and administering the act — i.e. the registry program ("State hits jackpot on pot," Feb. 7). The fact that the revenue is greater than twice the cost of running the program raises the question: Where is the rest of the money going? The act also allows for sliding scale fees based on family income. Currently, you must be a recipient of welfare and receive Medicaid, or if you are on Social Security disability, for the reduced $25 fee. This means that if you are on Social Security disability, when you turn 65, you go from paying $25 a year to $100 a year.

The Daily Tribune, 10 Feb 2013 – DETROIT – The Michigan Supreme Court slammed the door on marijuana shops Friday in the most significant legal decision since voters approved pot for some chronic medical conditions in 2008. The owners of so-called dispensaries "are not entitled to operate a business that facilitates patient-to-patient sales of marijuana," the court said in a 4-1 opinion.

The Daily Tribune, 07 Feb 2013 – Michigan took in nearly three times as much money as it costs to administer the state’s medical marijuana program last year. In order, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties list the most qualified medical marijuana patients and caregivers.

DrugSense

The Oakland Press, 09 Feb 2013 – DETROIT (AP) – The Michigan Supreme Court slammed the door on marijuana shops Friday in the most significant legal decision since voters approved pot for some chronic medical conditions in 2008. The owners of so-called dispensaries "are not entitled to operate a business that facilitates patient-to-patient sales of marijuana," the court said in a 4-1 opinion.

Traverse City Record-Eagle, 09 Feb 2013 – Sixty-three percent of Americans think the feds should respect marijuana laws, but some Michiganders have a hard time accepting the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. One reason is that they have noticed problematic behavior from a member of their family or friend who is using cannabis (marijuana).