Citizens Speak Out On Medical Marijuana Rules
Citizens Speak Out On Medical Marijuana Rules Save Email Print
Dozens testify in front of the Michigan Department of Community Health against Medical Marijuana rules they say are too strict.
Posted: 6:48 PM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 8:35 PM Jan 5, 2009
Reporter: Tiffany Teasley
Email Address: Tiffany.Teasley@wilx.com

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Christopher Brunett and his caregiver Charles Vanlandeghem traveled from Davison, Michigan Monday to join dozens, testifying that the state's proposed Medical Marijuana Rules are simply too strict.

"This regulatory commission has just taken it upon themselves to make it as difficult as possible for legitimate users to stay within the bounds of the law," Brunett said.

Brunett suffers from Cerebral Palsy and uses medical marijuana to relieve muscle spasms, he says rules that prohibit lighting up in public places is too broad and not feasible.

"That I couldn't use marijuana on my front porch or even in my house if I'm next to a window, that's completely ludicrous," Brunett said.

Brunett's caregiver says the state's proposed rules conflict with federal laws.

"I would be found guilty on federal laws, I would be providing evidence against myself," Vanlandeghem said.

Even Michigan State Police weighed in with concerns over a rule that would require caregivers to turn all pot over to law enforcement if their patient dies or is no longer qualified.

"I know that our department, State Police, doesn't want anything to do with accepting any medical marijuana from anybody, and I would imagine that most law enforcement agencies would feel the same way," said Inspector Greg Zarotney.

The Michigan Department of Community Health says the number of people at the hearing shows a passionate pursuit to get involved, now it's their turn to revise where they see fit.

"We're going to analyze all the different suggestions that were made and we're going to figure out if there's any additions or subtractions," said James McCurtis of the Michigan Department of Community Health.

For a complete list of the proposed rules visit: Michigan.gov/ORR

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Posted by: Mike Location: st johns on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:58 PM
This is a hilarious attempt by a State agency to completely dismantle a simple law. The health dept. job, is to issue ID cards, so that Medical marijuana patients, can smoke in peace. They are attempting an obvious sham on the voters of the State of Michigan, whom voted for this, in a landslide.

Posted by: Mark Location: Lansing on Jan 7, 2009 at 05:09 PM
It is properly credited to Adolf Hitler that, "The people will more readily believe a big lie, than a small one." The entirety of drug prohibition is based on the "Big Lie" that in this allegedly-"Free" country, we citizens should be deprived of the Liberty to medicate ourselves. There is no legally-valid reasoning for the present "War on Drugs". There IS good reason to restrict and control indescriminate use of antibiotics (create resistant "super-bugs"), but NO valid reason to prohibit recreational or medical use of ANY substance. "Police Power" of government requires solid, valid reason. In 1880, not one, single person was harmed by "illegal drugs" (there were none). No one was robbed, no one killed, no one arrested, no one imprisoned. Obviously, a person can OD, but that is their fault, and at present, most-often caused by mistake, or adulterated dose. We already have adequate laws prohibiting driving unsafely. Weed is useful to relieve suffering.

Posted by: Greg Location: Lansing on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:56 AM
With the highest unemployment rate in the U.S. why don't Michigan grow cannabis and make clothing, rope, lotion, and sell it in ciggarette form and tax it like other products? Legal or not it's here and has been for 100's of years. Take the black market out along with crime. Michigan needs new tax revenue and private use will continue when there is supply and demand which is the rule of any usage. Alcohol is far more dangerous than any drug and is legal and taxed. It's time to wake up and leaglize it for medical and tax revenue.

Posted by: pedro Location: florida on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:52 AM
just legalize it completely for goodness sake!!!!!!!!!!! this is the dumbest law.. "oh hey, marijuana is illegal, buttt you can have it, as long as you pay $100 bucks if we catch you" COME ONNN!!!!! IF YOUR GONNA LEGALIZE IT, DONT DO IT HALF WAY!!! LEGALIZE IT 100%!!!!!!! THERE WILL BE LESS CONFUSION, MORE JOBS, MORE TIME ON THE COPS SCHEDULE, MORE JAIL SPACE, LESS IGNORANCE ON THE TOPIC, LESS HYPROCRACY FROM THE USA, MORE PEACE, MORE HAPPINESS, LESS FUSTRATION! and for all the people that say "oh, this is sending a bad message to the kids"... pleaseee... your kids are exposed to more dangerous drugs everyday!!! Alcohol and tobacco are everywhere your kids look! It's time we tell the children the truth about the God-given, peace-promting, HEALING herb. JAH RASTAFARI!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:02 PM
The problems are already there Jim. Pot smokers already exist. The law doesn't give pot smokers keys to a fast back...it gives very sick people the right to stay out of jail while using medicinal marijuana. You know what they say if you aren't a part of the solution you are a part of the problem so Jim, why don't you think about joining one of those Mom's groups.

Posted by: jim on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:40 PM
We have MOM'S AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS,I guess now we can start MOM'S against MARIJUANA...OH WELL,AFTER ALL WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS WHATS A FEW MORE?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:43 PM
To David from Michigan people is spelled like this -people- Anon rocks!

Posted by: Becky Location: Marquette Mi. on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Michigan has voted. I am in support of this laws passing though I do understand the concerns that some have. The idea of my daughter driving on a highway with people who are under the influence scares me like crazy...(be it by Alcohol, Pot, NyQuil, or some other pharmaceutical pain killer) What I don't understand is why marijuana sends out all these red flags and people don't seem to bat an eye about drugs like Hydrocodone. You get it from your doctor and it says do not operate heavy machinery on the bottle...how many Michiganders do you suppose have driven after they have swallowed this little pill? To me there is little difference...with the exception that in one scenario a pharmaceutical company gets paid a large amount of hard earned money and the other, its as easy as watering a house plant. People that are stupid enough to drive under the influence are already driving in Michigan under the influence...I can't do much to change that

Posted by: annonymous Location: annonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Medical Marijuana is for those with severe illnesses. Many registered users with these illnesses may or may not be even able to drive or have a valid drivers license at this time anyway. However, I do think that it is foolish to comment on the ability of such impaired drivers unless you have driven a motor-vehicle while consuming cannabis. I have in the past and have found it much less impairing than while driving under the "influence" of alcohol. Do you think that it means you are too impaired to drive if you have simply consumed some cannabis? How would you be to know what may or may not be too much cannabis for one to consume as everyone's body absorbs the THC in cannabis at different rates? God bless those people who have cancer and do have the munchies and are willing to eat. It is also in my opinion that as there is a federal law banning the public to have controlled substances the least of the DEA's concern is going to be someone consuming cannabis.

Posted by: David Location: Charlotte on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:25 PM
To Anon What right do you have commenting on a law in Mi. do you live in Mi. according to your local you live in Fl. so stay in Fl. and smoke your dope. And the reason that its called dope is because only dopes smoke it. The pepol of this State need to think of the implacations of pasing this law Anon says that pot > Alochol in all resects. Tell me how menny pepol die in Mi. every year because of drinking and driving now with this law your going to have pepol smoking dope and driving. Do you realy want your kids to see pepol smoking dope what about if your nabor is doing it do you turn them in I would in a minite remember its still aginst Fed law to have smoke or grow pot. Look what happened in Ca. when they passed a law like Mi. now you have pot shops all over. So to the Health Dep. of Mi make it as hard as possable for Pepol to use pot put as menny restrictions as you can on this law I dont want it in my naborhood.

Posted by: Anon Location: Florida on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:13 PM
The person before me is the reason why marijuana prohibition has been turned into a laughing matter in this country. You also might be suprised that the forefathers of this country were mostly cannabis growers and sellers. Hell, even the declaration of independence is written on hemp. Please save your ignorant comments for your uptight PTA groups, and let the rest of us live our lives in peace. Pot > Alochol in all aspects.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Let's just hope that the Pot smokers, dont get high at home, then decide to drive out and get some munchies! That's not what Michigan needs is a bunch of higher then a kite pot smokers driving while HIGH!

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