Q&a W/representative Mike Callton: Update 4271 - By Chelsea Shaker

[bobandtorey]

CS: For starters, if you can, fill us in on the outlook for HB4271 in the Senate. We’re currently waiting for a vote, which did not happen as Sen. Richardville expressed would indeed happen. Do you anticipate a lame duck session?

Rep Callton: I think that HB 4271 could be run in the lame duck session.  Presently we are working with concerns with the Governor’s office, the State Police and the Attorney General.

CS: If HB4271 passes, what is the next step to getting Provisioning Centers in compliance? 

Rep Callton: Depending if any changes are made in the Senate or Governor’s office regarding local control. They will have to comply with testing requirements and limitations on felon involvement.

CS: Do you see a clean-up bill after 4271/5104 pass? Lots of questions on certain gray areas throughout the bill are being expressed throughout the community and Lansing. 

Rep Callton: The Medical Marijuana issue has many facets.  I think several more bills are required to insure the safety of patients and the protection of patients, caregivers, testing facilities and provisioning centers.

CS: Do you feel the bill itself, HB4271, with the gray areas and room for interpretation still present with some of the language, do you feel Provisioning Centers will have a hard time with State police as far as protections for the business owners?

Rep Callton: No matter how grey, black or white the bill is...the State Police may choose to test it... or they may not.  We’ll just have to see.

CS:  As we all know, you have worked hard with advocates in Michigan to broaden the acceptance for positive medical marijuana legislation in the state. What are your thoughts on where the industry is currently and where it needs to go from here on out? 

Rep Callton: Right now I think the industry is rough around the edges.  Professionalism, consistency and high standards need to be top priority.

CS: One more time, for our readers, can you please explain why the “local option” of 4271 is necessary, or was chosen in particular. I know lots of citizens are nervous that their opinions will be overlooked by their local lawmakers and they are concerned that safe access is unlikely for their town/cities. What is your best advice to patients and caregivers who wish to see support from their community and lawmakers for Provisioning Centers? 

Rep Callton: The local option was necessary to make this HB 4271 politically palatable... it wouldn’t have gone anywhere in the legislature without it.  Provisioning centers must work closely with their communities to make them comfortable with this new healing profession.  Pay attention to distance from schools and churches when choosing a location.  Your business signs should be professional and not an embarrassment to your community.

CS: There are talks in Lansing that some Canadian lobbyist is in Michigan in hopes of lobbying on behalf of Canadian cannabis big businesses.. Do you think the Senate Bill 660 (pharmaceutical grade cannabis) or any other Canadian/out of state/foreign strategy or lobbying efforts will impede our Michigan Medical Marijuana program? Or do you believe the will of the people that passed in ‘08 is strong enough to withstand outside ventures to overrule or compromise the MMMA? 

Rep Callton: There are Big Marijuana interests in Canada that are looking closely at the Michigan medical marijuana market.  Their style is a big central grow with distribution directly to the patient by courier.  There is more than one Canadian company involved.  To be clear the lobbyists are Michigan lobbyists hired by Canadian companies.

Thank you Representative Callton for answering some of the questions being asked throughout Michigan. Also, thank you for all of your hard work supporting the medical marijuana community and helping to shed light on the importance of safe access in Michigan!

 

http://mmmrmag.blogspot.com/2014/09/q-wrepresentative-mike-callton-update.html?m=1

[mibrains]

not in my state please.

 

CS: There are talks in Lansing that some Canadian lobbyist is in Michigan in hopes of lobbying on behalf of Canadian cannabis big businesses.. Do you think the Senate Bill 660 (pharmaceutical grade cannabis) or any other Canadian/out of state/foreign strategy or lobbying efforts will impede our Michigan Medical Marijuana program? Or do you believe the will of the people that passed in ‘08 is strong enough to withstand outside ventures to overrule or compromise the MMMA? 

Rep Callton: There are Big Marijuana interests in Canada that are looking closely at the Michigan medical marijuana market.  Their style is a big central grow with distribution directly to the patient by courier.  There is more than one Canadian company involved.  To be clear the lobbyists are Michigan lobbyists hired by Canadian companies.

[knucklehead bob]

I M P O , re-scheduling will be comin' down the track . They must maintain the status quo , business as usual . They have a whole society built around the cannabis laws/lies that will not give up the gravy train easily !

[cristinew]

Wow  i did not know under Michigan law Cannabis was a aka "schedule II  for patients,

[knucklehead bob]

That doesn't take a crystal ball, since it has already happened, from MCL 333.7214 (aka "schedule II"):

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rtpuztfjt23nnq213sx5llyn))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-333-7214

 

MCL indicates Mi. compliance law ? Has it been done on a Federal level ?

[Habenero]

Doesn't address the CO or WA legalization but neither does the current state of things at the fed level.

[bobandtorey]

 To be clear the lobbyists are Michigan lobbyists hired by Canadian companies ? 

 

Their you have it

[imiubu]

Rep Callton: No matter how grey, black or white the bill is...the State Police may choose to test it... or they may not.  We’ll just have to see.

 

 

 

 

imho, the leo community will continue to test all laws marijuana.

[slipstar059]

I wonder what hidden delights, Bill Schuette has in store for the bill, Callton mentions the AG has weighed in on it, any word on his input? Don't you all think this would be better handled by a Dem lead senate in the new year (not the lame duck).

[+Malamute]

The dem's in Michigan are likely decades from taking control of the Michigan Senate.

 

And yes,.... please vote for Totten so we can get Schuette out of office. :-)

[t-pain]

That doesn't take a crystal ball, since it has already happened, from MCL 333.7214 (aka "schedule II"):

 

(e) Marihuana, but only for the purpose of treating a debilitating medical condition as that term is defined in section 3(b) of the Michigan medical marihuana act, 2008 IL 1, MCL 333.26423, and as authorized under this act.

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rtpuztfjt23nnq213sx5llyn))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-333-7214

whut da fuq?

MCL 333.7212 Schedule 1; controlled substances included.

(1) The following controlled substances are included in schedule 1:

Except as provided in subsection (2), Marihuana, including

pharmaceutical-grade cannabis

(2) Marihuana, including pharmaceutical-grade cannabis, is a schedule 2 controlled substance if it is manufactured, obtained, stored, dispensed, possessed, grown, or disposed of in compliance with this act and as authorized by federal authority.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0af0cpyipz0nbt45klq52545))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-333-7212

 

how can it be both a schedule 1 and schedule 2 drug ?

which takes precedence? ALL marihuana is schedule 1, and MMMA marihuana is in sched 2? what

 

making whoopee sb660 did that bunny muffin , putting it in sched 2.

that may mess up my legal theory on the laws being inconsistent.

edit: nope, sched 2 is still inconsistent because of the rules of sched2 (licensed by the state, prescribed by dr etc)

Edited October 21, 2014 by t-pain

[bobandtorey]

I agree it takes some people loner to catch on then others

[Habenero]

The idea is to punish non medical marijuana users based on a schedule I substance but make medical marijuana schedule II for qualified users.

[slipstar059]

I can bet that there's not another drug classified that way under Michigan law. Why aren't all drugs punished the same way then? No script, schedule 1.

[t-pain]

The idea is to punish non medical marijuana users based on a schedule I substance but make medical marijuana schedule II for qualified users.

yes but all marihuana is under sched1 and mmma marihuana is under sched 2

 

so does that make mmma marihuana sched 1 or sched 2 ?

 

sched 1 and sched 2 are conflicting with each other.

[Indigro]

Sched 2 is effectively as bad as 1... no one can grow it except those licensed to deal w pharma companies, a doc has to prescribe & can only be had at the pharmacy.

 

Only way pharma can ensure purity is to process... sterilize & extract. Gelcap or syringe, what's ur pleasure?

 

Still criminal to grow ur own or smoke a joint. State can still meet their contractual obligations for minimum occupancy rates in the jails.

[t-pain]

so its CS2 in name only? haha thats rich.

[MedicatedJester]

Is the Michigan definition of Sched 2 the same as Federal?  Specifically the part about "no known medical use".  I hope so, because then the Michigan rule is even that much funnier.  Essentially saying "Marijuana is illegal because it's highly addictive and has no known medical use, except when it's recommended by a doctor."  Hahahahaha.

[GregS]

I'm in. My call to Callton. Today.