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New federal guidelines on marijuana enforcement could be a "game changer" for efforts to re-establish marijuana dispensaries in Michigan, according to one of the men who helped spearhead the state's medical law.
"We need to have regulated dispensaries here in Michigan and a truly safe way for folks to get their medication," said Tim Beck, chairman of the Safer Michigan Coalition. "The excuse that has been used by lawmakers in the past -- that federal law will somehow make it difficult or impossible to set up regulated dispensaries -- is now gone."
The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday issued a guidance memo to federal prosecutors around the country making clear that they should not make medical marijuana a priority or actively fight voter-approved legalization in Colorado and Washington State.
Marijuana remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law, but the memo from Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole said the department will focus its efforts on specific enforcement areas, such as distribution to minors, criminal enterprises and trafficking -- not state-sanctioned possession or use.
"The Department's guidance in this memorandum rests on its expectation that states and local governments that have enacted laws authorizing marijuana-related conduct will implement strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems that will address the threat those state laws could pose to public safety, public health and other law enforcement interests," wrote Cole.
Bipartisan legislation introduced by state Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville, would revive medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan after the state Supreme Court, in a February ruling, determined they are not allowed under current law.
Callton's bill would enable municipalities to issue dispensary licenses, regulate their operation and enforce local requirements. It would also allow communities to prohibit dispensaries, if they choose.
State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant, chairs the House Judiciary Committee and recently told Michigan Radio it is "very possible" that the committee could hear testimony and vote on Callton's bill later this year.
A separate bipartisan measure introduced by state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, would decriminalize marijuana in Michigan, directing state and local police not to arrest residents for the possession of less than an ounce of the drug.
Irwin called the DOJ memo "a step in the right direction" and said that his bill and Callton's could both advance the federal government's continued efforts to keep marijuana away from kids and break up large-scale criminal organizations.
"Those are goals that would be served by moving toward a more legal and regulated environment so we can get the violent criminals out of the market," Irwin said. "It would stop them from profiting from prohibition.
"Regulating its sale gives us a better chance of accomplishing those goals then sticking our heads in the sand and pretending marijuana is going to go away."
Residents in several Michigan communities, including Grand Rapids and Detroit, have voted to decriminalize marijuana in recent years, and advocates are currently promoting similar proposals in Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale.
The federal government has not often prosecuted medical marijuana growers in Michigan since voters approved the state law in 2008. But earlier this year a federal prosecutor charged seven Lansing-area residents who started a medical marijuana growing business within 1,000 feet of a school, which is a violation of federal law. They were sentenced to between one day and four years in prison.
While federal prosecution has been rare, Beck said "that threat was always hanging there, like a sword hanging over everyone involved in medical marijuana."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: mlive.com
Author: Jonathan Oosting
Contact: Contact Us - MLive Media Group
Website: Michigan marijuana advocate: New federal policy a 'game changer' in push for medical dispensaries | MLive.com
"We need to have regulated dispensaries here in Michigan and a truly safe way for folks to get their medication," said Tim Beck, chairman of the Safer Michigan Coalition. "The excuse that has been used by lawmakers in the past -- that federal law will somehow make it difficult or impossible to set up regulated dispensaries -- is now gone."
The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday issued a guidance memo to federal prosecutors around the country making clear that they should not make medical marijuana a priority or actively fight voter-approved legalization in Colorado and Washington State.
Marijuana remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law, but the memo from Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole said the department will focus its efforts on specific enforcement areas, such as distribution to minors, criminal enterprises and trafficking -- not state-sanctioned possession or use.
"The Department's guidance in this memorandum rests on its expectation that states and local governments that have enacted laws authorizing marijuana-related conduct will implement strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems that will address the threat those state laws could pose to public safety, public health and other law enforcement interests," wrote Cole.
Bipartisan legislation introduced by state Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville, would revive medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan after the state Supreme Court, in a February ruling, determined they are not allowed under current law.
Callton's bill would enable municipalities to issue dispensary licenses, regulate their operation and enforce local requirements. It would also allow communities to prohibit dispensaries, if they choose.
State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant, chairs the House Judiciary Committee and recently told Michigan Radio it is "very possible" that the committee could hear testimony and vote on Callton's bill later this year.
A separate bipartisan measure introduced by state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, would decriminalize marijuana in Michigan, directing state and local police not to arrest residents for the possession of less than an ounce of the drug.
Irwin called the DOJ memo "a step in the right direction" and said that his bill and Callton's could both advance the federal government's continued efforts to keep marijuana away from kids and break up large-scale criminal organizations.
"Those are goals that would be served by moving toward a more legal and regulated environment so we can get the violent criminals out of the market," Irwin said. "It would stop them from profiting from prohibition.
"Regulating its sale gives us a better chance of accomplishing those goals then sticking our heads in the sand and pretending marijuana is going to go away."
Residents in several Michigan communities, including Grand Rapids and Detroit, have voted to decriminalize marijuana in recent years, and advocates are currently promoting similar proposals in Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale.
The federal government has not often prosecuted medical marijuana growers in Michigan since voters approved the state law in 2008. But earlier this year a federal prosecutor charged seven Lansing-area residents who started a medical marijuana growing business within 1,000 feet of a school, which is a violation of federal law. They were sentenced to between one day and four years in prison.
While federal prosecution has been rare, Beck said "that threat was always hanging there, like a sword hanging over everyone involved in medical marijuana."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: mlive.com
Author: Jonathan Oosting
Contact: Contact Us - MLive Media Group
Website: Michigan marijuana advocate: New federal policy a 'game changer' in push for medical dispensaries | MLive.com
