Jacob Bell
New Member
Advocates for Michigan medical marijuana rallied in Lansing on Wednesday, protesting a recent court decision. According to capitol facilities managers, about 1,500 people attended the rally, the largest ever in Michigan for medical marijuana. Attorney General Bill Schuette and other state officials were the main targets of the protest.
Holly High School graduate Phil Jacks attended the protest and said that the protestors believe state officials are impeding on rights of citizens. "I'm a big fan of freedom and this country was built on the democratic process," Jacks said. "If medical marijuana is what the people voted into a law, then our government should enforce that law, not change it."
Jacks said that the rally was peaceful overall, and featured an array of speakers ranging from patients to dispensary owners who were raided by the police. Jacks hopes the rally will make officials, particularly Gov. Rick Snyder and Schuette, aware that citizens are opposed to the court ruling.
"Legislators need to be reminded that government is here for the people, not for special interest groups or personal vendettas," Jacks said. The advocate believes that outdated cultural beliefs are the main reason why state officials are opposed to medical marijuana. "We need some cultural change in this country."
On Aug. 24, the Michigan Court of Appeals found marijuana dispensaries conducting patient-to-patient sales as being against the public health code, and can be shut down under Michigan's public nuisance law. The ruling came after Schuette and Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick challenged the legality of the Mount Pleasant marijuana dispensary Compassionate Apothecary. The ruling has a statewide effect, allowing lower courts to close other dispensaries.
"This ruling is a huge victory for public safety and Michigan communities struggling with an invasion of pot shops near their schools, homes and churches," Schuette said in a press release. "Today the court echoed the concerns of law enforcement, clarifying that this law is narrowly focused to help the seriously ill, not the creation of a marijuana free-for-all."
Christine (last name withheld) of Holly had planned to attend the rally but decided not to due to inclement weather. She agrees that dispensaries give the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) a bad reputation, believing that dispensaries are "out for themselves and their own profit."
"Everyone should have their own caretaker or grow it themselves," Christine said.
Christine has had her medical marijuana card since February and is currently growing plants at home. She is one of nearly 100,000 people in Michigan who has a state-issued card that allows her up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and up to 12 plants.
With both arthritis and a lost leg, Christine said she is in constant pain and that marijuana is more effective than Vicodin. "It does not take the pain totally away, but it makes it livable."
Although Christine agrees that dispensaries should be closed down and that some people obtain medical marijuana cards too easily, she fears that the court ruling will make things harder for patients.
"It's a Pandora's Box," Christine said. "Once you open it up, how do you close it? What are patients going to do, get it illegally?"
The cities of Fenton and Linden voted to extend moratoriums on medical marijuana, waiting to see what the ruling at the state level would be. Holly Village currently allows medical marijuana dispensaries while Holly Township has an ordinance in the works.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: tctimes.com
Author: William Axford
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Tri-County Times
Website: Marijuana advocates protest in Lansing
Holly High School graduate Phil Jacks attended the protest and said that the protestors believe state officials are impeding on rights of citizens. "I'm a big fan of freedom and this country was built on the democratic process," Jacks said. "If medical marijuana is what the people voted into a law, then our government should enforce that law, not change it."
Jacks said that the rally was peaceful overall, and featured an array of speakers ranging from patients to dispensary owners who were raided by the police. Jacks hopes the rally will make officials, particularly Gov. Rick Snyder and Schuette, aware that citizens are opposed to the court ruling.
"Legislators need to be reminded that government is here for the people, not for special interest groups or personal vendettas," Jacks said. The advocate believes that outdated cultural beliefs are the main reason why state officials are opposed to medical marijuana. "We need some cultural change in this country."
On Aug. 24, the Michigan Court of Appeals found marijuana dispensaries conducting patient-to-patient sales as being against the public health code, and can be shut down under Michigan's public nuisance law. The ruling came after Schuette and Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick challenged the legality of the Mount Pleasant marijuana dispensary Compassionate Apothecary. The ruling has a statewide effect, allowing lower courts to close other dispensaries.
"This ruling is a huge victory for public safety and Michigan communities struggling with an invasion of pot shops near their schools, homes and churches," Schuette said in a press release. "Today the court echoed the concerns of law enforcement, clarifying that this law is narrowly focused to help the seriously ill, not the creation of a marijuana free-for-all."
Christine (last name withheld) of Holly had planned to attend the rally but decided not to due to inclement weather. She agrees that dispensaries give the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) a bad reputation, believing that dispensaries are "out for themselves and their own profit."
"Everyone should have their own caretaker or grow it themselves," Christine said.
Christine has had her medical marijuana card since February and is currently growing plants at home. She is one of nearly 100,000 people in Michigan who has a state-issued card that allows her up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and up to 12 plants.
With both arthritis and a lost leg, Christine said she is in constant pain and that marijuana is more effective than Vicodin. "It does not take the pain totally away, but it makes it livable."
Although Christine agrees that dispensaries should be closed down and that some people obtain medical marijuana cards too easily, she fears that the court ruling will make things harder for patients.
"It's a Pandora's Box," Christine said. "Once you open it up, how do you close it? What are patients going to do, get it illegally?"
The cities of Fenton and Linden voted to extend moratoriums on medical marijuana, waiting to see what the ruling at the state level would be. Holly Village currently allows medical marijuana dispensaries while Holly Township has an ordinance in the works.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: tctimes.com
Author: William Axford
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Tri-County Times
Website: Marijuana advocates protest in Lansing
