Medical Marijuana Rules Under Fire Proponents voice their concerns in a public hearing
Medical Marijuana Rules Under Fire
Proponents voice their concerns in a public hearing
January 5, 2009 - 5:54 PM
Tempers were flaring and opinions were flying as advocates of medical marijuana use pushed for to revisions to the rules.
While voters approved the limited use of medical marijuana for certain conditions back in November many are now saying the list is too exclusive.
One proponent argues, "if you have this condition you can live, if your condition is not on the list you're required by law to die because you can't get this medicine."
Others argue that the rules, which say that medical marijuana must be stored in a locked and closed facility, take it too far.
One man argues,"we trust the citizens of Michigan to keep far more dangerous drugs like Ritalin, Oxycontin, and Xanax in their bathroom medicine cabinet."
While most took issue with the rules some attacked the Michigan Department of Community Health itself.
Another proponent says, "while the department may have some misgivings with this law they don't have the right to trump the voters and the constitution by sabotaging it."
Those who argued for revisions weren't only medical marijuana users.
Some members of law enforcement took issue with the section of the draft that calls for any medical marijuana that is no longer being used by a patient to be turned over to police.
One Michigan State Police officer says "I know that our department, the State Police, doesn't want anything to do with accepting medical marijuana from anybody."
Now it is up to the Michigan Department of Community Health to decide what revisions will be made in time for the law to take effect in April.