Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was passed by voters last November, but only recently did there become a way for patients to become registered with the state and eligible to receive it.
Patients with a doctor's diagnosis are able to register with the Department of Community Health and receive a registry card. The act states:
"A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner... for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifying patient possesses an amount of marijuana that does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and... 12 marijuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility."
Delta County Prosecutor Steve Parks said local law enforcement are informed of the new law and will follow it.
"The law's the law and I'm going to follow it," said Parks. "I have an obligation to respect the law and follow court decisions and we intend to do that."
Medical marijuana patients are also allowed under the act to designate a person of their choice as a primary caregiver and this person may cultivate and grow the marijuana for them. In that case, the primary caregiver, who must be at least 21 years of age and have no felony drug convictions, may grow the up to 12 plants and have 2.5 ounces on them for the patient's use.
This month, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) reported that it has issued its first set of approximately 150 medical marijuana registration cards.
All Michigan residents with a qualifying illness that can be confirmed by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine can apply for the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) and receive an identification card, according to the MDCH.
Qualifying illnesses, according to the act, include "debilitating medical conditions," which means one or more of the following: cancer; glaucoma; positive status for (HIV or AIDS); hepatitis C; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); Crohn's disease; agitation of Alzheimer's disease; nail patella or the treatment of these conditions.
Other qualifying conditions include any "chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures...; severe and persistent muscle spasms...; (or) multiple sclerosis."
MDCH spokesman James McCurtis said his agency has received more than 700 applications for the program since opening the application process earlier this month.
News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Daily Press
Author: Audrey LaFave
Copyright: 2009 Daily Press
Contact: DailyPress.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Escanaba Information | The Daily Press
Website: Officials adjust to new pot law - DailyPress.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Escanaba Information | The Daily Press
Patients with a doctor's diagnosis are able to register with the Department of Community Health and receive a registry card. The act states:
"A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner... for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifying patient possesses an amount of marijuana that does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and... 12 marijuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility."
Delta County Prosecutor Steve Parks said local law enforcement are informed of the new law and will follow it.
"The law's the law and I'm going to follow it," said Parks. "I have an obligation to respect the law and follow court decisions and we intend to do that."
Medical marijuana patients are also allowed under the act to designate a person of their choice as a primary caregiver and this person may cultivate and grow the marijuana for them. In that case, the primary caregiver, who must be at least 21 years of age and have no felony drug convictions, may grow the up to 12 plants and have 2.5 ounces on them for the patient's use.
This month, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) reported that it has issued its first set of approximately 150 medical marijuana registration cards.
All Michigan residents with a qualifying illness that can be confirmed by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine can apply for the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) and receive an identification card, according to the MDCH.
Qualifying illnesses, according to the act, include "debilitating medical conditions," which means one or more of the following: cancer; glaucoma; positive status for (HIV or AIDS); hepatitis C; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); Crohn's disease; agitation of Alzheimer's disease; nail patella or the treatment of these conditions.
Other qualifying conditions include any "chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures...; severe and persistent muscle spasms...; (or) multiple sclerosis."
MDCH spokesman James McCurtis said his agency has received more than 700 applications for the program since opening the application process earlier this month.
News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Daily Press
Author: Audrey LaFave
Copyright: 2009 Daily Press
Contact: DailyPress.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Escanaba Information | The Daily Press
Website: Officials adjust to new pot law - DailyPress.net | News, Sports, Jobs, Escanaba Information | The Daily Press
