State guidelines permit residents with debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana for pain but fail to offer a legal means to acquire the drug. Obviously, that's a huge challenge for people looking for a lawful way to ease their suffering. Gov. Jennifer Granholm and lawmakers need to fix this glaring problem. Michigan voters overwhelmingly supported the medical marijuana proposal last November when it garnered 63 percent of the vote.
State health officials recently finalized the guidelines. The medical marijuana law allows people with cancer, HIV, AIDS, glaucoma and other qualifying diseases to use marijuana to relieve their symptoms, if a doctor recommends it. Qualifying patients can apply for a permit allowing them to legally possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana or grow 12 marijuana plants in a locked, enclosed area, or designate a caregiver to do so for them. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), which set the guidelines, is responsible for reviewing and approving medical marijuana permits. The picture ID cards will cost $100 annually.
But access - the biggest program issue - was not addressed. How are those approved to use marijuana suppose to obtain it without breaking the law? It is illegal in Michigan to buy marijuana or the seeds to grow it. And buying, possessing, growing and selling marijuana is a federal crime, although the Obama administration has said federal officials likely won't prosecute users in states where voters have approved marijuana's use for medical purposes.
People who might be helped by the drug shouldn't have to become lawbreakers to obtain it; some in need are not going to risk that route. Certainly, this is not what voters envisioned when they approved the use of medical marijuana. If marijuana is going to be used for medical purposes in Michigan, a legal plan for its use should be developed.
Michigan and 12 other states have laws that permit the use of marijuana as a pain reliever, if recommended by a physician. But only New Mexico has a distribution system that registers non-profit outlets to grow and provide the drug to approved users. Michigan lawmakers and health officials should check into that idea. Can that be a viable option here?
The clear intent of Michigan voters was to allow people with certain medical conditions to obtain marijuana to relieve suffering. State lawmakers and health officials should make finding a way to make that happen, legally, a priority.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Mlive.com
Author: The Grand Rapids Press Editorial Board
Copyright: 2009 Michigan Online, LLC
Contact: About Us - MLive.com
Website: Editorial: Michigan residents need legal means to obtain medical marijuana - Grand Rapids Opinion - Editorials, Letters, Voices - MLive.com
State health officials recently finalized the guidelines. The medical marijuana law allows people with cancer, HIV, AIDS, glaucoma and other qualifying diseases to use marijuana to relieve their symptoms, if a doctor recommends it. Qualifying patients can apply for a permit allowing them to legally possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana or grow 12 marijuana plants in a locked, enclosed area, or designate a caregiver to do so for them. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), which set the guidelines, is responsible for reviewing and approving medical marijuana permits. The picture ID cards will cost $100 annually.
But access - the biggest program issue - was not addressed. How are those approved to use marijuana suppose to obtain it without breaking the law? It is illegal in Michigan to buy marijuana or the seeds to grow it. And buying, possessing, growing and selling marijuana is a federal crime, although the Obama administration has said federal officials likely won't prosecute users in states where voters have approved marijuana's use for medical purposes.
People who might be helped by the drug shouldn't have to become lawbreakers to obtain it; some in need are not going to risk that route. Certainly, this is not what voters envisioned when they approved the use of medical marijuana. If marijuana is going to be used for medical purposes in Michigan, a legal plan for its use should be developed.
Michigan and 12 other states have laws that permit the use of marijuana as a pain reliever, if recommended by a physician. But only New Mexico has a distribution system that registers non-profit outlets to grow and provide the drug to approved users. Michigan lawmakers and health officials should check into that idea. Can that be a viable option here?
The clear intent of Michigan voters was to allow people with certain medical conditions to obtain marijuana to relieve suffering. State lawmakers and health officials should make finding a way to make that happen, legally, a priority.
News Hawk: MsRedEye: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Mlive.com
Author: The Grand Rapids Press Editorial Board
Copyright: 2009 Michigan Online, LLC
Contact: About Us - MLive.com
Website: Editorial: Michigan residents need legal means to obtain medical marijuana - Grand Rapids Opinion - Editorials, Letters, Voices - MLive.com
