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Two doctors were questioned about certifying patients for medical marijuana in the third day of a hearing on criminal charges against a Rome Township man who claims he was legally growing marijuana.
"I did what I felt was appropriate for the patient," said Dr. Arthur Schechet of West Bloomfield, who signed a certificate of need after one visit with a patient involved in the case. Whether there was a bona fide patient relationship as defined in a recent court ruling is a question for lawyers, he said.
Lenawee County Circuit Judge Margaret M.S. Noe is hearing evidence on competing motions. The defense is asking her to dismiss charges against Kevin McGrath. The prosecution is seeking to bar the 43-year-old man from raising a medical marijuana defense at trial.
McGrath was arrested in a July 15, 2011, police raid at his home on North Hawkins Highway. A Michigan State Police report claimed 99 plants were seized. McGrath claims there were no more than 60, a number within legal limits for six patients.
McGrath had obtained a Michigan medical marijuana card the previous year and claims he was the legal caregiver for five other cardholders. The Lenawee County Prosecutor's Office is challenging the validity of the medical marijuana cards and claiming the amount of marijuana found at his home exceeds legal limits.
The hearing was continued to another date after defense attorney Tom Lavigne of Detroit asked that state police laboratory technicians testify about their examination of seized marijuana.
The hearing started three weeks ago and was continued to Wednesday to allow the defense to bring in doctors who certified three medical marijuana patients McGrath was supplying.
Schechet said he saw the patient he certified only one time. He said he did not recall details of the examination and said records were seized by federal agents six months ago from the clinic where he saw her.
Dr. Jamie Hall of Detroit testified he certified another of the patients in the case. He said he saw her once at the Medical Marijuana Clinic of Jackson where he examined her and reviewed her extensive medical history that included back pain, knee replacements, carpal tunnel surgery and chronic pain.
"She does qualify by the current standards," Hall said.
Three weeks ago, Dr. Melissa VanSickle of Onsted testified she signed certification forms for McGrath and another patient during initial visits in 2010.
McGrath also testified for a second time Wednesday, telling the court the marijuana he was growing did not exceed the legal standard of an uninterrupted supply for certified patients.
"As far as I'm concerned, I didn't have enough to keep up with everybody," McGrath said.
McGrath said he used only flowers and "sugar leaves" from the plant buds for his patients, not the entire plant. He also said male plants were discarded because he believes they have no "medical value."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: lenconnect.com
Author: Dennis Pelham
Contact: - Adrian, MI - The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI
Website: Medical marijuana hearing continues - Adrian, MI - The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI
"I did what I felt was appropriate for the patient," said Dr. Arthur Schechet of West Bloomfield, who signed a certificate of need after one visit with a patient involved in the case. Whether there was a bona fide patient relationship as defined in a recent court ruling is a question for lawyers, he said.
Lenawee County Circuit Judge Margaret M.S. Noe is hearing evidence on competing motions. The defense is asking her to dismiss charges against Kevin McGrath. The prosecution is seeking to bar the 43-year-old man from raising a medical marijuana defense at trial.
McGrath was arrested in a July 15, 2011, police raid at his home on North Hawkins Highway. A Michigan State Police report claimed 99 plants were seized. McGrath claims there were no more than 60, a number within legal limits for six patients.
McGrath had obtained a Michigan medical marijuana card the previous year and claims he was the legal caregiver for five other cardholders. The Lenawee County Prosecutor's Office is challenging the validity of the medical marijuana cards and claiming the amount of marijuana found at his home exceeds legal limits.
The hearing was continued to another date after defense attorney Tom Lavigne of Detroit asked that state police laboratory technicians testify about their examination of seized marijuana.
The hearing started three weeks ago and was continued to Wednesday to allow the defense to bring in doctors who certified three medical marijuana patients McGrath was supplying.
Schechet said he saw the patient he certified only one time. He said he did not recall details of the examination and said records were seized by federal agents six months ago from the clinic where he saw her.
Dr. Jamie Hall of Detroit testified he certified another of the patients in the case. He said he saw her once at the Medical Marijuana Clinic of Jackson where he examined her and reviewed her extensive medical history that included back pain, knee replacements, carpal tunnel surgery and chronic pain.
"She does qualify by the current standards," Hall said.
Three weeks ago, Dr. Melissa VanSickle of Onsted testified she signed certification forms for McGrath and another patient during initial visits in 2010.
McGrath also testified for a second time Wednesday, telling the court the marijuana he was growing did not exceed the legal standard of an uninterrupted supply for certified patients.
"As far as I'm concerned, I didn't have enough to keep up with everybody," McGrath said.
McGrath said he used only flowers and "sugar leaves" from the plant buds for his patients, not the entire plant. He also said male plants were discarded because he believes they have no "medical value."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: lenconnect.com
Author: Dennis Pelham
Contact: - Adrian, MI - The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI
Website: Medical marijuana hearing continues - Adrian, MI - The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI
