DEA: Records, Please

[MedicalNeed]

About 30 people gathered on the east-facing steps of the Capitol today to protest the federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s request for seven Lansing-area medical marijuana patients’ records.

The DEA subpoenaed the state Department of Community Health on June 4 to hand over records of medical marijuana patients and caregivers for an ongoing investigation involving seven Lansing-area residents.

The MDCH is yet to comply with the subpoena due to confidentiality provisions in the state Medical Marihuana Act.

However, department spokesman James McCurtis has said it will comply if ordered by the U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids or under advice from the state attorney general.

A hearing scheduled for today at the U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids was postponed due to an emergency motion filed by the Michigan Association of Compassion Clubs against the order.

Jamie Lowell, a representative for the association, said the protest today was about protecting patients’ privacy, but also against Attorney General Bill Schuette, who never filed an appeal against the DEA’s request.

“People submitted private information (to the state) expecting it to be confidential,” he said outside the Capitol building. “The fact that there was no defense given to this (from Schuette) is a big problem.”

“We want an attorney general who’s going to stand up for our rights,” Lowell added. “The fact that one of his (Schuette) first actions is rolling over for the Feds is concerning.”

The appeal also says Schuette did not defend the patients’ records because he has a “biased” opinion on medical marijuana. Schuette led the opposition to the 2008 medical marijuana ballot initiative that eventually passed by 63 percent of voters.

Tom Levine, an attorney with Detroit-based Cannabis Counsel, was also at the rally.

“Protecting patient privacy is a well-established public policy,” Levine said. “I would think by (Schuette) wearing a civil hat he would quash the subpoena.”

Forrest Olsen, a 24-year-old Lansing resident was at today’s rally holding a sign that read, “The Fed Coats Are Com’n.” When he applied to be a medical marijuana patient, Olsen said it was never in the back of his mind that the federal government may want access to his records.

“The state law tells us one thing and the federal government tells us something different,” he said. “I don’t understand it.”


News Hawk: MedicalNeed 420 MAGAZINE
Source: lansingcitypulse.com
Author: Andy Balaskovitz
Contact: Contact
Copyright: 2009 City Pulse
Website:DEA: records, please

 

[Jacob Bell]

There is no reason for the DEA to have access to patient records. They don't do it for other medicines, like Oxycontin and all those heavy duty ones. So why for cannabis? There is a legal precedent in this country, part of it is the HIPAA Act, I believe, that secures the patients rights to privacy of their medical records. And yes, the AG of the State should have told the DEA to stuff it. The AG has every right to step up to the plate and tell the DEA where to get off, but instead he rolls over and plays dead. What kind of AG is this? He should be fired. He isn't doing his job, which is to protect the people in his State.
However, I am glad to see that some 30 people protested!! Good Job!!

 

[greengo840]

“The Fed Coats Are Com’n.”

So simple and yet so brilliant. I will steal and use this in the future.

"They don't do it for other medicines, like Oxycontin and all those heavy duty ones. So why for cannabis?"

If they did, Rush Limbaugh would...hold on, my Heath Ledger bobble head just stopped moving.