No Rush To Shut Down Medical Pot Shops In Mich.

[jayt]

No rush to shut down medical pot shops in Mich.

Associated Press

 

Burton, Mich.— It has been business as usual at some medical marijuana shops, even after the Michigan appeals court said card-carrying patients can't sell pot to other patients.

 

Some officials are in no rush to shut down dispensaries without a thorough investigation. In northern Michigan, the Otsego County prosecutor said he hopes the Michigan Supreme Court overturns the appeals court's decision.

 

In Burton, near Flint, a dispensary called The Barn closed briefly Wednesday but reopened Thursday, a day after the appeals court said patient-to-patient sales of marijuana are illegal.

 

"I don't have investigators who can go out and inspect what are called the dispensaries and see if they are in violation," Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton told The Flint Journal. "The only way I would be able to review any case ... is if any communities investigate it and bring me evidence that a dispensary is in violation."

 

Michigan voters in 2008 approved the use of marijuana to relieve pain and other chronic ailments. About 100,000 people have state-issued cards allowing them to have 2.5 ounces of "usable" pot and up to 12 plants. Registered caregivers also can grow marijuana for five people.

 

Some caregivers and people with medical marijuana cards have been selling extra marijuana to others who don't grow their own. It typically changes hands at dispensaries, with the owner taking a cut of the money. The appeals court, however, declared those sales illegal and said a Mount Pleasant dispensary could immediately be shut down as a "public nuisance."

 

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who was thrilled with the decision, was speaking to prosecutors about it this weekend.

 

Burton Mayor Paula Zelenko said her city won't shut down four dispensaries but new ones won't be allowed to open. Flint's city attorney, Peter Bade, said he's taking his time with the issue.

 

"Do we currently have plans to start shutting dispensaries down? No. But we will look over the ruling to see if it causes us to take action," Bade said.

 

HydroWorld Marijuana Services in Jackson has stayed open.

 

"I'm not really worried about it. If the authorities come and tell us to shut down, we'll shut down," owner Danny Trevino told WLNS-TV.

 

In Battle Creek, Calhoun County Prosecutor Susan Mladenoff said she would discuss the issue with law enforcement agencies. Otsego County Prosecutor Kyle Legel said he hopes the Supreme Court "applies reason and logic" and reverses the appeals court. But he also warned local dispensaries and marijuana "collectives" that he must follow the law.

 

"I am sure it will be frustrating to not provide a needed service as those that relied on your business scramble to find a means to obtain the medical marijuana they need," Legel said. "But my recommendation is that you do not subject yourself to the possible penalties."

 

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110827/METRO/108270383/No-rush-to-shut-down-medical-pot-shops-in-Mich.#ixzz1WKdeWvfa

[BlackMesa]

I would suspect that it's just a matter of time before State Police get involved for the few areas that don't seem to mind. It's still nice to see places open and standing up for themselves.

[Northern Lab]

I will actively campaign for Mr. Legel's re-election. He's one of the good guys!

[Shredder]

Some caregivers and people with medical marijuana cards have been selling extra marijuana to others who don't grow their own. It typically changes hands at dispensaries, with the owner taking a cut of the money.

 

This should read

 

Some caregivers supply indigent patients for free while recooping their grow costs through supplying dispensaries with their overages. Then dispensaries charge as much as double or more to their patients.....shredder

[Northern Lab]

Some caregivers and people with medical marijuana cards have been selling extra marijuana to others who don't grow their own. It typically changes hands at dispensaries, with the owner taking a cut of the money.

 

This should read

 

Some caregivers supply indigent patients for free while recooping their grow costs through supplying dispensaries with their overages. Then dispensaries charge as much as double or more to their patients.....shredder

 

Was that really necessary?

[Ronulan]

I'm with you northern lab. Even in print he looks to be on our side.

[1337Gr33n]

David Leyton IS on our side. i will happily and actively participate in any bid for office he announces.

[Natural Remedies MGR]

I will actively campaign for Mr. Legel's re-election. He's one of the good guys!

 

 

Ditto the same. I have been letting all of our Otsego Country members know that Kyle Legal is MMM friendly, and to remember it when the next election cycle comes.

[Natural Remedies MGR]

I'm with you northern lab. Even in print he looks to be on our side.

 

 

He is. When the letter came form the PA's office about the Isabella County ruling, Kyle Legal brought the letter to each collective, and hand delivered it himself. No LEOs present. In both the letter he gave us, and what he said to us indicate he is on our side of this issue. There was a front page article in the Gaylord Herald Times Saturday also about the closings. He is in the article, and on the record opposed to the court of appeals ruling. He also notes that his office has not had a single complaint about any of the 7 collectives in the county, nor has street crime increased as a result of our presences.

[Northern Lab]

He is. When the letter came form the PA's office about the Isabella County ruling, Kyle Legal brought the letter to each collective, and hand delivered it himself. No LEOs present. In both the letter he gave us, and what he said to us indicate he is on our side of this issue. There was a front page article in the Gaylord Herald Times Saturday also about the closings. He is in the article, and on the record opposed to the court of appeals ruling. He also notes that his office has not had a single complaint about any of the 7 collectives in the county, nor has street crime increased as a result of our presences.

 

Of course it hasn't because everyone is being responsible and professional. I haven't seen one negative letter to the editor about the collectives either. There is no public outcry against it.

 

I'm glad Legel is friendly to it and realizes that 63% of our county voted for the initiative and respects the will of the voters. Maybe we should make him our next AG.

[Guest Indica Jones]

David Leyton IS on our side. i will happily and actively participate in any bid for office he announces.

 

 

I was hoping for him to have won the last election. Things would have been different.

[samtheclam]

Second that.