Ann Arbor medical marijuana supporters rally night after local raids
Erin Angner, of Redford, licks an envelope as Michelle Mata, of Ypsilanti, looks on after the pair signed a letter of concern to send to their state representative during a rally at Live at PJ's on Thursday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
After a court ruling dismayed medical marijuana users Wednesday and raids on marijuana dispensaries in Ann Arbor Thursday, some Ann Arbor area activists sought to regroup at a rally Thursday night.
About 150 local medical marijuana supporters came to Live at PJ's in Ann Arbor in an attempt to rally their community, just hours after 2 medical marijuana dispensaries were raided by authorities.
Local activists were filtering among the crowd, dressed in various pro-marijuana clothing including hats entwined with pot leaves, gathering signatures on letters to Michigan lawmakers that voiced support for the dispensaries.
Chuck Ream — a local medical marijuana activist whose dispensary, MedMar, was raided by police Thursday morning — gave a passionate speech to the crowd espousing the long history of marijuana's medical use.
"Your great, great, great grandmother had no problem getting cannabis and there were many different uses for it," Ream said.
The benefit concert had been planned for weeks, but took on an added importance to local activists after a Michigan appeals court ruling released Wednesday essentially banned dispensaries, and raids on MedMar and A2 Go Green Corp Thursday.
Medical Marijuana action
It’s been a big week in the world of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act. Here are some of AnnArbor.com’s stories from this week
Devault said the last few days had shaken up a lot of the area’s patients and caregivers, to the point that people had been coming to the collective wondering what to do about their medicine that day. He said he had to turn patients away because of the uncertain situation surrounding the medical marijuana laws right now.
He said it was important for the community to show their representatives that dispensaries have a purpose — supplying medicine to patients, who might not be able to grow their own marijuana, in a safe manner.
“It’s very hard to grow the type of medicine that collectives can have,” he said. “It’s that power that we have as a group collective, to be able to dispense that kind of medicine to patients that really need it.”
Devault said he often gets elderly people coming to the collective looking for medical marijuana. He said without the dispensaries, patients like them would not know how to properly use the medicine or might not be able to get it at all.
The raids conducted on Thursday were not related to Wednesday’s ruling by the Michigan appeals court, police said. Employees allegedly failed to follow guidelines established for operating dispensaries, according to Michigan State Police Det. 1st Lt. Wynonia Sturdivant.
The guidelines that the dispensaries had violated were unclear as of Thursday. There has been much debate around what the guidelines are to operate a dispensary, with many activists saying that there are no actual guidelines set out by the Medical Marijuana Act.T.J. Rice, a friend of Ream’s who ran a dispensary that was busted in March 2010 and had felony drug charges brought against him a year later, said the most important thing for medical marijuana supporters right now is to have a sense of community among themselves.
Rice said his ultimate goal is to form an effort that will see marijuana totally legalized, but in the meantime it’s important for patients, caregivers and supporters to stick together.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us,” Rice said.
Kyle Feldscher covers police and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
paul wiener
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
I just moved (to retire) here 4 days ago because I thought A2 was a civilized, enlightened place. This new development disgusts me, and embarrasses me.
E. Manuel Goldstein
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
Note to Washtenaw County Commission: Can Washtenaw County Sherriff's Dept pull out of LAWNET? Can the Commission recommend this or make it happen? Raids on Medical Marijuana clinics using state or local taxpayer dollars is gross misuse of my money, in my opinion. Especially considering there is (are) serial rapist(s) in town terrorizing women right now. Note to Mayor and Ann Arbor City Council: Create a Medical Marijuana Commission that would help guide and regulate MMJ dispensaries. Put onto the city ballot an initiative that would make marijuana enforcement a ZERO priority. Get rid of Postema if he continues to oppose the taxpayers of the City of Ann Arbor.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 4:58 a.m.
I would like to see the numbers: of people diagnosed with ailments which - require - marijuana as a legitimate substance for treatment. Not the "claimants" but those who actually have a doctor's diagnosis which requires marijuana for treatment. Any help out there? This is no minor quibble: the number of legitimate patients needing this inhalant delivery drug is needed to determine such things as: the number of dispensaries needed to fulfill the demand. Also, I'd like to know of any studies conducted on the effects of marijuana on a patient's (or user's) thinking ability and motivational level. Those studies must have been conducted by legitimate organizations, not online forum surveys or something cooked up by "authors" wanting to make money from the "legalize it" movement. It's a matter of opinion, so far, whether law makers and law enforcement are engaging in "repression." At least, it will be until the "legalize it" movement can prove their claims are honest and not an effort to obscure the (inevitable) countervailing negative factors in marijuana use. Lastly, I'm not convinced that using the Constitution to enlist more support for the somewhat questionable idea that marijuana is 'harmless" and a "neutral" legal issue is legitimate. Bank robbers, rapists and other criminals all think they're being "repressed" and treated unjustly by the law & law enforcement.
Milton Shift
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis</a> Worth a read!
Milton Shift
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
The law says in plain language that selling is legal. (e) "Medical use" means the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marihuana to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition. (k) Any registered qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver who sells marihuana to someone who is not allowed to use marihuana for medical purposes under this act shall have his or her registry identification card revoked and is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both, in addition to any other penalties for the distribution of marihuana.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 2:49 a.m.
Some claims and arguments on this subject leave me troubled. As follows: 1. The claim that ""Your great, great, great grandmother had no problem getting cannabis and there were many different uses for it," Ream said." -- is specious on these ground - (a) Our great-great grandparents had only primitive medical resources, if any at all. Most of the so-called "doctors" of that time hadn't even graduated from a medical school and the standards for doctors matched closely the "standards" of these present day medical marijuana "dispensaries." (b) 3-4 generations back, all adults had access to many drugs and chemicals which either were known to be toxic or were proven to be within the last 80 years or so. Just because "Ten year-old Johnny has his own deer rifle," doesn't mean that all 10 year-olds are qualified to have one. 2. Marijuana should be legalized (??!!) That's a perennial and popular opinion, also one that's based on the "sunny assumption" that this drug won't ADD TO the problems we already face with the open sale of alcoholic beverages. 10% of the population is vulnerable to chemical addiction: that's without regard to which psychotropic substance they may become addicted to. 3. I am not a doctor or any other authority who has documentation, but my own observations of marijuana users since the 1960s have shown - only - that people who become users also soon become: "proud yet defensive" users who spend way more time toking than they do, for instance, working at a job or providing proper parenting for their kids. In fact, I've known adult marijuana users who "taught" their kids to smoke that stuff and those kids -- went on to die of drug overdoses or, in some cases, became convicts for drug-related crimes. 4. Last but not least, cannibinoids as pain relievers could be had - under the same rules and restrictions we all "suffer under" when filling our othe
free
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
This vaguely written law had no chance of standing up in court. California law might have allowed for dispensaries, but this is Michigan. The law only spells out what patients and caregivers can posess, without making any provision for its supply other than home-grown. If was the only area the Democrats and Republicans could agree on. Outright legalization might be a pipe dream. Not enough benefit to Big Business.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.
One thing you miss about Big Business (meaning; Big Pharma) is that they are held responsible for producing safe drugs. The system isn't perfect but it's a lie to say it's useless, because it has protected untold millions of people from drug side effects like disablement and death. You might also have guessed: that "expense" is an effective restraint on consumption: that's why Michigan taxes cigarettes to the hilt.
Mr Blue
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
As always the problem is capitalism and greed.
Mr Blue
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.
Actually, this is as close to complete legalization for individual use as any medical marijuana law in the country. Your physician signs the paperwork, you pay the State and you grow your own within the law. The legal quantities are well within what a medicinal user and a reasonable recreational user might require. For me the real hang up is no legal outdoor growing.
shepard145
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.
Where is Granholm's unemployed Bud Meister General weighing in on this? There would have been many more demonstrators but most could not find the rally and others forgot where they were going on the way. There were reports that stores ran low on Mountain Dew and Fritos in town. With this decision, many were speculating that they may retire the ratty army jacket, see if mom will buy them some interview cargo pants and start to look for a job. ...did you hear about that cap on welfare!! Wow dude, this has been a rough week for stoners.
Oregon39_Michigan7
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
Want a simple way to raise millions (if not billions?) in new State revenue (which could mean lower taxes)? Legalize "it". Tax "it". Regulate "it". Boom, I just destroyed a black market, saved taxpayer money by freeing the police and courts from enforcing a low priority crime, created a whole new (job creating) private sector, and brought it millions of dollars in new "use" taxes. (A "use" tax is simple: if you don't use "it" you don't pay for "it").
Kind
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
Sucks to be the guy whose dispensary got raided. I just wonder what the police does with the plants and the marijuana they found? We encourage you all to fight for your rights and would like to offer all dispensaries in Ann Arbor free advertising on our site. Visit <a href="http://www.mmjkush.com" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mmjkush.com</a> to learn more.
tyrone twp
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
just one question . since medical marijuana is so dangerous MR LAWNET why havent you ninjas addressed the 30 -40 herion overdose`s in livingston county ,maybe because you might get a little different welcome commitee not like us law abbiding citizens who help people .
Goofus
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.
In my personal observation, alot of people used the medical marijuna card to get cheaper, better, and stronger dope than what they were already getting on the blackmarket...and mostly for recreational use. I'd wager that in alot of people that did the same thing: created or exaggerated a minor medical condition such as headaches or unspecified pain in order to qualify for a card so they could get cheap, plentiful, and high quality herb at a lowcost without fear of criminal prosecution. Everyone knows this is what was happening at these dispensaries. This..."we only help the seriously ill!" cover was just that...a cover.
Goofus
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 5:39 a.m.
Renting a storefront and paying licensing fees is still cheaper than spending time in jail, hiring a lawyer, and having a felony on one's record, so I'd say the owners of dispensaries are smart businessmen to go the legal route rather the blackmarket. That said, when I said the pot was cheaper, I meant for the users. I've looked at the price guides for medical herb sold in dispensaries, and that was some premium smoke sold at much lower price points per gram than the old 1/4 and ounces I was getting from my dealer even 10 years ago. As for the rest of these rebuttals, they are unworthy of response other than to say a) who said I was a capitalist? and b) if someone truly believes in the value of this medicine, one should just grow their own rather pay someone else or get in these dodgey trade deals at the dispensaries. If I want a tomato, I grow a tomato...I don't think of some reason to change the law so someone will give me a tomato for free, or come up with a bunch of quasi-mystical rationale about how tomatoes are better for me than say, a cucumber. That's what these medmar gurus look to me like when they talk about weed: they sell it as the best medicine ever made, when in reality, it's just the medicine they like best.
Milton Shift
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
It is not cheaper. The #1 complaint about dispensaries has always been that it costs a lot more than the black market. Dealers don't have to rent expensive storefronts and pay licensing fees...
free
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 1:13 a.m.
I'm on the fence about this one - but the hysterical society said the fence didn't meet with their approval.
tyrone twp
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 7:05 p.m.
you fit ur name well , lets see 93,000 people have cards ,the state made 8 million off it so far with the cards.if you really dont know what ur talking about u should shut up ,cause the medicine which it is helps people ,not like pills that screwed up alot of folks. one question have you ever heard of anyone overdoseing on mmj ,no.people like you just need to read bout it and learn .lets take the crime out of it, you know like the stuff happening in the southwest beheading`s ,killing etc .if it was legal in the states the crime would be gone period. once again it`s medicine ,was before dupont, hearst corp ,oil, paper industry made it iilegal .oh yea our attorney general has family ties to dow chemical u know the ones that make pills for pain ,makes you wonder dont it
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
There are already legal and subsidized methods for people to get Xanax and Vocodin. It's called your personal doctor and the pharmacy. Legal pharmaceutical drugs that are addictive and can kill, like Vicodin and Xanax, are abused far more than marijuana. They also make huge profits for Drug Companies. I am amazed at how contradictory people are when it comes to something they don't like and that something is far less dangerous and far less abused that their drug of choice be it alcohol or prescription painkillers.
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
Care to tell us how many "alot" is"? I'm amazed at how many Capitalists who swear by "free markets" condemn "weed profiteers". Shouldn't the market and the producer be able to determine pricer in relation to demand? Or are you only in favor of capitalism that suits your political viewpoint.
Goofus
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
I'm acutally in favor of decriminalization, but as per this medical marijuana..It's the hypocrisy of this whole crowd of local weed profiteers I have the biggest issue with. These MedMar people use the terminally ill and the sick as virtual human shields to protect themselves and their recreational use from criminal penalty. If someone opened a clinic and peddled Vicodin and Xanax the way these pot purveyors peddled their dope, it would shutdown immediately. I'm only surprised they've gotten away with it as long as this as it is.
Designated Conservative
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
What do medical marijuana advocates have to complain about? That the 2008 law did not include an exception from criminal prosecution for dispensaries? ...that it did not include legal protection for sale of medical marijuana? ...that it did not fully legalize marijuana cultivation and use? Anyone wishing to complain about these "flaws" in the law ought to focus their ire on those who wrote the proposed law in the first place. None of these activities are permitted by the plain wording of the law. All the Court of Appeals did was read the law and confirm this fact.
Milton Shift
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
How is a medical marijuana patient supposed to use medical marijuana if they can't buy marijuana, seeds, or live plants?
Tom Joad
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
These dispensaries make hundreds of thousands each month in CASH. Are they declaring their income to the IRS which is income derived from illegal drug sales? I highly doubt it... The profiteers jumped in with gusto and the city of Ann Arbor colluded with them when the medical marijuana statute in no way provided for dispensaries. If a person is truly in need of medical marijuana they should get it, but the system as developed encourages gaming the system and scamming scripts from docs all in the interest of smoking dope
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
@Tom and Goofus. Pure conjecture on your part. Make things up if you don't have facts.
Goofus
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Well said, Tom Joad. Most of these dispensaries were run by ex-dealers and growers who always were involved in the black market before the statute was voted in.
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.
I wonder what the proportion of people who game the MMMA to get a non addictive plant for pain relief or recreational use compared to the number of doctors and patients who game the legal pharmaceutical drug industry for addictive drugs that can kill? Care to take a guess?
Lovaduck
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
Medicine/Schmedicine! Yes there are some to whom it would be medically beneficial, but this "medical" ruse is just a step toward legalization--to which I have no objection, except for the fact that it's one more drug let loose on society with all the attendant complications. I just want people to be HONEST about what they want.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
Many people are being honest. They recognize that there is a valid medicinal value to this plant just like there are valid medicinal values to many other herbs. So they want to make it available to those who would use it medicinally. That is one reason why I voted to approve medicinal marijuana. But I also support legalizing it for recreational use especially if it is heavily taxed and regulated like alcohol and tobacco. If legalizing medical marijuana is a stepping stone to legalization for recreational use, that is a pretty positive step in my view. Where is the dishonesty?
Jen Eyer
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.
Comments that include name-calling have been blocked. Please refrain from calling marijuana users potheads.
SonnyDog09
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 7:06 p.m.
"jack booted thugs" is apparently not considered name calling by the moderators.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3 a.m.
Thanks, that made me laugh! :-)
free
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 1:16 a.m.
Hopheads?
Goofus
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:22 p.m.
How about "stoners"?
West of Main
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.
Actually, the moderators deleted the post comparing law enforcement to swine, so no.
Mr. Ed
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
But it's ok to call the police pigs.
Roadman
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
"We support the reclassification of marijuana to allow its availability in the medical treatment of serious illnesses. We oppose the harassment and prosecution of patients, providers, and physicians who respectively use, provide or recommend marijuana for the medical treatment of serious illnesses." - platform of the Green Party National Committee. I am pleased to see so many individuals expressing their disgust over the tactics of LAWNET in targeting these dispensaries. It is First Amendment activity such as this that can only help the community of medical marijuana providers. I salute Chuck Ream and all those who stand against governmental oppression.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.
Good luck with that. In case you haven't noticed: we have restricted access to most things. Autos require having the purchase price, having the training to drive, the money for gas, etc. Pistols - same story only on a smaller scale (if you call $500-$1000 for a gun and $1 per round of ammunition "smaller." Not to mention the verification and training costs which are also mandatory.) Public demonstrations? Oh yeah, those are so effective in providing the "picture" of any given protest group.
al
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
Pot head? Mothers basement? This is the ignorance of a minority. I am 63 year old employed professional and have been using med MJ for two months with relief that allows me to cut down on prescription drugs of 4 vicodins and 1 flexxeral to 1 vicodin per day. I've missed no days from work. In the past I've had back surgery, 2 pain blocks and an average of 6 spinal shots per year. I'd approximate medical expenses of over $100,000 of which insurance paid all but copay. Since taking med mj I've not had to see the pain doctor saving med expenses. Leave it to the grown ups? We all have seen that the so called grownups in Congress act like spoiled brats and we are to trust them? By the way I have been to parties and have witnessed cops, prosecutors and judges toking on pot.
Milton Shift
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
There's a widespread perception that a lot of patients don't need it because they look healthy. To them I would ask, have you actually talked to any of these patients? I have a friend who has severe spine damage from being hit by a drunk driver on her bicycle as well as a surgeon's errors during the ensuing operation. She looks young and healthy on the outside. But she can't even look over her shoulder and I've stumbled across her sobbing from the pain. It certainly doesn't help that she has to listen to insulting language from Sherlock wannabes all day long.
al
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
That is why cops almost exclusively drink with other cops. Not because they like each other. But because it's safe.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
@Goofus I see. You don't like it that people profit from other people's illnesses and consider such people hypocrites if they say that they actually have a concern other than money? Since you are not a hypocrite, I am going to assume that you also look down on doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, pharmacists, pharmaceutical company executives, etc. All I can say is that I disagree. Just because someone makes a living from someone's' sickness, it doesn't mean that they don't care and it doesn't mean that their contribution to society is not worthwhile.
Goofus
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
The MedMar lobby use the terminally ill and sick as human shields for their own illicit and recreational use of cannbis, is my main problem with them. They use them as "poster children" while they smoke down and count their cash in the backrooms of their dispensary stores...er, "clinics". They are the worst kind of hypocrites profitting off the sick and the ill.
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.
@Chase. If you think it's the right of someone to smoke pot and they not be prohibited by LAWNET and "the nanny State", you're being contradictory by telling us we should be upset at China's policy on abortion. What business is it of yours or anyone else? I guess it's ok to not want our own government telling us what to do, but it's ok for you to tell China what to do.
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
So what if the majority of dispensary patients are treating imagined medical conditions. It's their life isn't it? Who made you their nanny? I just hope that everyone who is so upset at LAWNET is just as indignant about the 400 million forced abortions in China.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
I can't comment on the demographics of those who use marijuana medicinally under the current law. But I do know a lot of middle aged professionals who smoke pot now and then and a few who are serious pot heads and smoke every day. You would never know that they are pot smokers from looking at them. They are all good at their jobs or at least I assume they are as they are still employed here in Michigan even in this economic climate. I don't actually know the source of their pot in most cases but I don't have any reason to think they are signed up for medicinal marijuana. I know several of them have specifically said that they wont sign up for a MM card because they don't want to risk their jobs by being in an MM database. There really is no reason for recreational users to sign up. The black market pot is cheaper and often of better quality. There is less risk of being outed.
jmcmurray
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
@ Goofus: So what....?
Atticus F.
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
That's an ignorant assumption, goofus. Can you site any souces that back up your assumption? Sounds basically like you spreading around an ignorant, misinformed steryotype.
Goofus
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.
It sounds like you are the one in the minority...that is, an individual who used medical marijuna for legitimate medical concerns. I'd wager the majority of the "patients" who used these dispensaries primarily used pot to "treat" minor, invisible or non-existent medical conditions like "restless leg syndrome" diagnosised by cheesy doctors for 150 dollars a pop.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
I think the state should allow the sale of marijuana *IF* it is taxed and regulated like cigarettes or pipe tobacco otherwise, it is a lose - lose situation for everyone involved because the state doesn't get any additional revenue and users (patients) of marijuana will have no idea what they're really smoking. So, for right now, I feel that that the sale of Marijuana should be illegal anyone associated with the sale of an illegal substance should be arrested.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
I think you're on the right track, _Wookie. :-)
Sciomanone1
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2 p.m.
when the protesters are out with their signs, it would be wonderful if the Police would arrest all of them and that would be a good way for the State and the city of Ann Arbor to make some money when they all go to court and pay their fines.
Joe
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 6:17 a.m.
Why would someone be arrested for exercising the first amendment? What is the "fine" for protesting? If you want the city and state to make money you should look at the number of jobs this could be creating and how much the distribution of this medicine would contribute to our economy..... a lot more than arresting the entire population of Michigan! incarcerating individuals on marijuana charges has cost not only our state but our whole nation a fortune
Olive
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
Arrest them for what? Protesting? All I can do is shake my head.......
Atticus F.
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
It would also be a good way for the city/state to get sued for violating peoples constitutional rights.
Wilford John Presler IV
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
The emperor wears no clothes! <a href="http://www.jackherer.com/thebook" rel='nofollow'>www.jackherer.com/thebook</a> knowledge is power The truth shall set you free
Wilford John Presler IV
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
Mubarack,Ghadaffi,Mussolini,Snyder,Schuette.....same mentality, same bolt of cheap cloth...and this too shall pass...
Wilford John Presler IV
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
<a href="http://www.jackherer.com/thebook" rel='nofollow'>www.jackherer.com/thebook</a>
p2psilantimi
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:18 p.m.
Frankly it is a bit ridiculous for the State to be using its resources in this manner. I don't believe the public good is served by this type of prohibition. What will serve this State best is for public officials let people and the free-market system sort this out. Didn't we do that with cigarette smoking, which has a much more powerful lobby in Washington, D.C.? So, I say, allow people the freedom to do as they please, and let's bring out scientific-based information so that people can make informed decisions. Cigarettes are available; cigarette smoking is highly addictive; yet, a lot of people have opted not to smoke. One reason is that we have very good information about what cigarette smoking does to people's health. The same can be said about alcohol drinking. With Marijuana, we can do the same thing. Let people exercise their freedom to do as they please, and offer them scientific-based information about the effects of their choices. Freedom is always a better way.
Atticus F.
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
LAWNET, please leave Ann Arbor. This is not a 'jack boot thug' type of city.
Regularjoey
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
Law net is nothing more than a legalized gang of thugs
Jim Wilson
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.
call and scream at your state reps now these are the kind of things we vote them in for...
Davidian
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
People like "America" are missing the point. This is about eliminating the black market. This is about focusing resources on catching a serial rapist. This is about recreational and medicinal drug use that has been going on for thousands of years and will NEVER stop. And more importantly, this is about lawmakers and law enforcement ignoring the will of the people.
Wilford John Presler IV
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
"this is about lawmakers and law enforcement ignoring the will of the people." an overwhelming majority of the people of the State of Michigan voted for MMJ a small minority of narrow minded hypocrites want to rule us with an iron fist in a free society they are known as Fascists Bill Schuette is a fool who(thank God) is even now ending his own political career
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
I've never smoked a joint, but I voted for the legalization hoping that the free market would provide for an orderly distribution of a naturally growing plant, to those people who wanted it, and in the long run, more research and development on the properties of cannaboids that could potentially compete with pharmaceuticals. The only black boot and mask wearing so called law enforcement I want to see hauling files out of a building, is at the nearest Federal Reserve Bank.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
My reply was removed. Why I have no idea? However what you stated above is "very well said". That was my reply. In the meantime you are exactly right about orderly distribution. I just learned through another news site that 60 innocent citizens died in Mexico yesterday when an alleged Drug Cartel attacked a Casino. The story states that citizens were sitting at bingo tables and other gambling devices when masked men burst in, opened fire with automatic weapons (probably smuggled illegally from the USA) then doused the establishment with gasoline and lit a match. There are bodies being pulled out as I write this. The war on drugs is a lost cause. I consider Marijuana to be equivalant to drinking alcohol. There is not a group of people I know where someone is not using it from time to time. Get off the pot (no pun intended) and legalize this immediately. It would probably kill the 4 trillion dollar hole this Country is in if it is taxed appropriately. These cartels are gaining strength by the day and it will not be long before they are accross and within our borders wreaking havok in the USA.
DonBee
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.
Mr. Ingersoll - We do not know why the two dispensaries were raided, possible reasons include: 1) They were selling to minors or possibly to people without cards 2) They were using the US Mail to send marijuana to people 3) They were adulterating the product 4) They were just unlucky in the dice roll Until we actually see the charges filed we don't know. If the goal was to put dispensaries out of the business, I would have expected a lot more in the way of raids, and that the US Postal Service would not be involved.
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
@Chase, but you're willing to cut money from the federal budget for so called "job killing" EPA anti pollution regulations? There were and are plenty of Preps and Jarheads (actually a derogatory term) who toked up, I'm sure you were around. and didn't even try it? I find that hard to believe. You know that's the same excuse the Clinton used.
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
Dude: I've been asthmatic, since I was 7 years old, so actually inhaling unfiltered smoke that would guarantee my not being able to take another breath...I didn't see the point of even trying it. Besides, I was perfectly happy getting drunk with the Preps and Jarheads and talking smack about the Stoners. Also - I just don't like the smell of it. I put it in the category of "skunk" and can smell it from a block away.
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
How many politicians claim that they have never smoked a joint? And upon hearing this declaration, how many people just roll their eyes and think, Who is he kidding?
xmo
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Just because "We the people VOTED for laws does not make it so" Thank all of the Progressive judges who legislate from the bench. That is why voting for judges is more important than voting for legislators since it takes a lot of legislators to pass a law but only one or two judges to "Interpret the law". I am finally glad that the "progressives" are mad at the judicial branch now also!
Mr Blue
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
The activist judges in this case are Conservatives. Which makes their decision troubling since Conservatives want us to think that they are for free markets, free enterprise and personal liberty. Indeed they are Snyder an Scheutte's lap dogs. Complete and utter hypocrisy by Conservatives who claim to favor liberty and freedom... just as long as it meets with their approval.
clownfish
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
All judges "legislate from the bench" (whatever that means). The Supreme Court has done it repeatedly lately, from a so-called conservative stance. Citizens United overturned 70 years of congresses rules, for instance.
Philip Semenuk
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
Now, EVERY person that was working at these dispensaries is unemployed. Let the State be held responsible for the rise in Unemployment. We The People voted FOR this law. Now the tools in Lansing are denying us the right to our medications. Its really time for a recall on all of those who are not doing the WILL of the people.
shepard145
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 9:53 p.m.
I had a recall going man, but I lost it. We need to get the People together and.....well...
DonBee
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
Mr. Semenuk - We can do three things: 1) Complain 2) Put together a better law and either put it on the ballot or get Lansing to pass it 3) Wait for the next level of court rulings I would suggest, if you are interested in Medical use of Marijuana that #2 is the best option.
grye
Fri, Aug 26, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
No one is denying you your medication. If you need it, grow it. You have that right under the law.