You've Asked For It!
After reading the Senate bill 660, I have to ask: "Isn't this what was asked for?" When the cry went out to tax and regulate marijuana, is this not what was wanted?
Keep in mind that we live in a country that is for the people, by the people. A country where businesses and corporations are people. A country where lawmakers perform in ways directed by the people who control their incomes. I doubt that there are no many who will not suggest that our lawmakers are indeed receiving funding from corporate people.
For years corporations have spent millions of dollars developing marijuana based medications. I speak not of "government created" fake or fake cannabis, but drugs created with real, growth from the ground cannabis. These drugs have been manufactured and until recently, tested in other countries. Now that GW Pharmacy is being tested in the U.S., you best believe that there was already something in the pipeline to change the federal schedule of drugs and medications.
I see SB660 as Michigan's response to the drug manufacturers request. After all, is Michigan not home to a number of them. Isn't this state the only, or just one of a few, who will not allow its citizens to sue said manufactures for fault? If the state is wrong in its giving support to these manufacturers, did its lawmakers just pass law making it harder to sue the state?
With the passing of this bill, patients will be able to visit their local licensed store and purchase up to two ounces of Schedule II level, pure, germ-free, clean, environmentally-controlled marijuana. I imagine that the offerings will come in a host of forms. There will be the pre-rolled, the vapeable, food-stuff, and the topicals. All the patient needs is doctor's approval and the soon to be created "enhanced pharmacy- grade" marihuana card. I bet it will be possible to receive Plan D coverage for its purchase.
This bill even includes noticed that it will run with our Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008 (MMMA), not against or instead of it. As patients and/or their caregivers we will still be able to grow and use our Schedule I, home grown cannabis. With a paid doctor's approval AND a paid traceable MMMA card; we can still smoke, vaporize, eat, and rub on cannabis to relive our pains and ailments. That is, if we have the money, because Plan D won't help.
Since a patient can only have one of the two cards, my guess is that the hope is for those with serious medical issues and no money will choose the "pharmacy-grade card. Knowing that many patients may be willing to make this jump, I see the number of plants allowed per patients reduced to no more than six. This bill is written to benefit corporation type people, no real people; therefor it will happen. What is not clear or certain is what will happen to the real people once the corpora dust has died.
Legalized, taxed, and regulated cannabis is what people have been asking for, and darn-it, it's what's the people will get! Oh yeah, G W Pharmaceuticals is expecting FDA approval of Sativex within the next few weeks.
NOTE: There are some things in this bill that are not clear
What is CANNABIS? This word is defined nowhere in state law.
Is the pharmacy-grade card used in place of a script?
Does the card record purchases?
Will there be a cost/price for the card?
Is there a wait period other than for clearance?
As this bill moves from the Senate to the House, I hope its Swiss cheese type holes are filled!
BTW - find and read the 11/18/13 issue of The Nation
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