Michigan voters roll in medical marijuana, causing discomfort for cops, doctors
Posted by Crystal McMorris | The Bay City Times
November 16, 2008 06:52AM
Michigan voters said yes to medical marijuana by a ratio of nearly 2-1.
And while the law takes effect Dec. 4, details of how it will play out remain hazy among doctors, law enforcement officials and state residents who want to use the drug for medicinal purposes.
The state's Department of Community Health, through its county-level health departments, have been designated to maintain a registry and issue registration cards to patients and "caregivers" who will then be legally allowed to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. The law also allows for patients and their caregivers to grow up to 12 plants, as long as they grown them in an "enclosed, locked facility." The department has until April 4 to have the registry up and running.
But local officials, doctors and patients remain unsure exactly how the new law will play out.
More info:
Michigan voters roll in medical marijuana, causing discomfort for cops, doctors - Bay City Times - MLive.com
Voters say yes to medical marijuana - A2 Politics - The Ann Arbor News - MLive.com
Posted by Crystal McMorris | The Bay City Times
November 16, 2008 06:52AM
Michigan voters said yes to medical marijuana by a ratio of nearly 2-1.
And while the law takes effect Dec. 4, details of how it will play out remain hazy among doctors, law enforcement officials and state residents who want to use the drug for medicinal purposes.
The state's Department of Community Health, through its county-level health departments, have been designated to maintain a registry and issue registration cards to patients and "caregivers" who will then be legally allowed to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. The law also allows for patients and their caregivers to grow up to 12 plants, as long as they grown them in an "enclosed, locked facility." The department has until April 4 to have the registry up and running.
But local officials, doctors and patients remain unsure exactly how the new law will play out.
WHAT THE LAW MEANS
Voters have made medical marijuana legal in Michigan, but details about how the law will effect patients and their caregivers remain cloudy. The Michigan Department of Community Health answers some questions:
What does Proposal 1 allow?
Proposal 1 allows patients with a debilitating medical condition to use marijuana after obtaining a registry identification card from Michigan Department of Community Health.
To obtain a registry card, patients must have a written certification from a physician verifying that they have a debilitating medical condition the symptoms of which can be alleviated by marijuana use.
Patients in need of medical assistance in using the medical marijuana may designate a primary caregiver who will also be allowed to grow and possess marijuana.
How much marijuana can patients and their caregivers have at one time?
A registered patient shall not be arrested or prosecuted for the possession of 2.5 ounces or less of marijuana and 12 additional plants in an enclosed, locked facility.
A registered caregiver shall not be arrested or prosecuted for assisting a patient to whom he or she is connected through the department's registry.
Each caregiver may have up to 2.5 ounces of "usable" marijuana and 12 plants per patient.
Voters have made medical marijuana legal in Michigan, but details about how the law will effect patients and their caregivers remain cloudy. The Michigan Department of Community Health answers some questions:
What does Proposal 1 allow?
Proposal 1 allows patients with a debilitating medical condition to use marijuana after obtaining a registry identification card from Michigan Department of Community Health.
To obtain a registry card, patients must have a written certification from a physician verifying that they have a debilitating medical condition the symptoms of which can be alleviated by marijuana use.
Patients in need of medical assistance in using the medical marijuana may designate a primary caregiver who will also be allowed to grow and possess marijuana.
How much marijuana can patients and their caregivers have at one time?
A registered patient shall not be arrested or prosecuted for the possession of 2.5 ounces or less of marijuana and 12 additional plants in an enclosed, locked facility.
A registered caregiver shall not be arrested or prosecuted for assisting a patient to whom he or she is connected through the department's registry.
Each caregiver may have up to 2.5 ounces of "usable" marijuana and 12 plants per patient.
Michigan voters roll in medical marijuana, causing discomfort for cops, doctors - Bay City Times - MLive.com
Voters say yes to medical marijuana - A2 Politics - The Ann Arbor News - MLive.com
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