Cannabis Coalition Unifies State In Opposition To House Bills

[Restorium2]

The problem with the bills are they were written for law enforcement. They rode in on Schuette, with his bad press conference, which consisted of a bunch of law enforcement officials, with terrible attitudes toward medical cannabis. That was a terrible birth.

 

LARA is staffed by the same type of people with bad attitudes towards medical cannabis.

 

Here I am, waiting for my patient card, the longest I have had to wait yet since 2009. We are moving backwards. Last week I was stripped of my caregiver status to care for my wife because I had a 31 year old marijuana possession misdemeanor. The head of the MDCH personally did this to me. She went way out of her busy way to mess with me and my 'close to' perfect criminal record.

 

With those things in mind, how can we ever see these bills as something that was done to help us? That's what the legislature wants. They want us to believe that these bills were written for us. They want to make law enforcement happy and fool us at the same time. Not gonna happen. We need the law working for us first. Write some bills to make the law work for us. Nothing I see is going to put my card in my hand on time or fix the bad attitude of Melissa Peters when she goes after a caregiver, strips them of their status, on totally made up grounds, and goes about her happy way, as my wife has no caregiver.

 

If you want to enjoy the support of this HUGE voting block then tell us what you have done for us lately. I see a couple reps who have had to use their time and energy fighting the bad stuff in these bills when they could be using their time helping us fix the real problems. Throw these bills in the toilet and give us something you didn't use to pet Schuette with in the beginning. No amount of mayo is going to make this crap sandwich of bills go down. Fixing medical cannabis and these 4 bills have nothing in common. It doesn't matter how much time they wasted so far. Start over and quit wasting time and build something that helps the law do what it is supposed to do: help patients be legal in a timely manor, and help caregivers serve their patients. The have failed with the most basic things the law has to offer.

Edited April 21, 2012 by Restorium2

[SFC]

Resto, WE do not have that option. 24 hours ago I believed that maybe 4834 was going to die along with the mostly unnecessary 4851, by yesterday afternoon I was aware that that is not the case. The good news is they reached out to us to see what we want and what it will take to find a compromise. Compromise is a vile word around here but it is a word the R's have not had to use much in Lansing lately. The fact that they are using it with us is a positive thing. They want our support, when I say "our" I mean the cannabis community.

 

I am walking the line Greg, so is Zap, Hayduke, Flowergirl , Jamie,Mal and many others. But never for a minute forget who's side we are all on.

Edited April 21, 2012 by SFC

[Restorium2]

Without that option, these bills are law enforcements' bills. It's just that simple. The pile will remain the crap sandwich with extra mayo. I will do whatever I can to keep that picture alive. I appeciate the fact that people are trying to soften the blow, thank you. But they(legislators) are going to find out in the long run that they served us the sandwich we couldn't swallow and they will pay at election time for the crap sandwich with extra mayo. I'm not so sure that anything they can do after that will save them at the polls. Once you serve up that how can anyone forget? It is so easy to sort these folks by their vote on these bills.

Edited April 21, 2012 by Restorium2

[mizerman]

listen, shhhhh...

 

everyone talks to everyone. read the group release and use that for the basis of knowledge and you will be good to go. read the last three paragraphs. they need to fix 4851 and 4856. but that alone does not change objections to 4834. stop speculating publically saying "didn't sound very good to me", because it is just totally premature to say that when no new meetings have taken place... don't you think? And often speculation can lead to erroneous messaging entering the conversation. Have a nice weekend.

 

Ssshh...there's a man in the bushes and a strange car outside

[ninjastryder]

Did they pass or not???!!!????

[SFC]

No Ninja, nothing has even made it to the second reading yet...

[GregS]

Didn't you mean to say schit sandwich?

 

And I will not forget whose side anyone is on.

[GregS]

Maybe we should get behind a filibuster.

[wringly]

Resto, WE do not have that option. 24 hours ago I believed that maybe 4834 was going to die along with the mostly unnecessary 4851, by yesterday afternoon I was aware that that is not the case. The good news is they reached out to us to see what we want and what it will take to find a compromise. Compromise is a vile word around here but it is a word the R's have not had to use much in Lansing lately. The fact that they are using it with us is a positive thing. They want our support, when I say "our" I mean the cannabis community.

 

I am walking the line Greg, so is Zap, Hayduke, Flowergirl , Jamie,Mal and many others. But never for a minute forget who's side we are all on.

I know perfectly well who's side your on. Shities chain of infiltrators is only as strong as its weakest link. That's you SFC.You made a tactical mistake when you gave away your position. Lamenting about not being able to get your bills introduced. Oh yea one of your co-links posted that cpu intended to oppose the bills all along. That definitely contradicts the testimony cpu gave to the house judiciary committee. Why did they sign this opposition letter then? They had to to stay relevant. The most dangerous of all the proposed amendments is HB4856. It would result in more patient arrests than any other. Operator,occupant makes little difference it would be a huge win for leo. Cpu glosses over 4856 like its nothing while jumping up and down and pointing everywhere else. If 4856 is specifically mentioned the poster gets attacked and ridiculed,but always the attention gets turned somewhere else.They even go on long tirades about the evil prosecutors and police. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS

[cristinew]

wringly what you have stated is false ..testimony cpu gave to the house judiciary committee. sad they oppose the bills,, tell the truth stop spreading hate

 

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE

ON

JUDICIARY

Thursday, March 1, 2012 10:00 a.m. Room 521 House Office

 

The Chair laid HB 4834, HB 4851, HB 4853, and HB 4856 before the committee:

Edited April 22, 2012 by cristinew

[cristinew]

followed.

Steven Sharpe, representing himself, testified on the bills.

Jeremy Repinski, representing the Genesee Compassion Club, testified on the bills.

Whitney Hickman, representing the Newaygo County Compassion Club, testified in opposition

to the bills.

Brandy Zink, representing the Americans for Safe Access, testified on the bills.

Dennis Hayes, representing himself, testified on the bills.

Vicki Nicholls, representing herself, testified on the bills.

Matthew Abel, representing Cannabis Counsel, PLC., testified on the bills.

Patrick McCarthy, representing himself, testified on the bills.

Scot Woods, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bills.

Janine Kemp, representing herself, testified on the bills.

Matthew Taylor and Becca Hollandsworth, both representing themselves, testified on the bills.

Gersh Avery, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bills.

Joe Romano, representing himself, testified on the bills.

Christopher Gault, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bills.

David Warsaw, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bills.

Christiana Offernan, representing herself, testified on the bills.

Pattie Alsop, representing her husband, Dennis, testified in support of the bills.

[bobandtorey]

listen, shhhhh...

 

everyone talks to everyone. read the group release and use that for the basis of knowledge and you will be good to go. read the last three paragraphs. they need to fix 4851 and 4856. but that alone does not change objections to 4834. stop speculating publically saying "didn't sound very good to me", because it is just totally premature to say that when no new meetings have taken place... don't you think? And often speculation can lead to erroneous messaging entering the conversation. Have a nice weekend.

[cristinew]

i have the whole minutes of the hearings, i can post it all, no CPU in favor of the bills

 

 

Signed in Agreement 4/16/2012

 

Cannabis Patients United

 

Michigan Medical Marijuana Association

 

Michigan Association of Compassion Centers

 

Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan

 

Third Coast Compassion Center

 

Birmingham Compassion Club

 

Planet Green Trees

 

Dickinson County Compassion Club

 

New Detroit Compassion Club

 

Brighton Area Compassion Club

 

Kalamazoo Coalition for Compassionate Care

 

Jackson Compassion Club

 

Macomb Oakland Compassion Club

 

Clare County Compassion Club

 

Northeast Michigan Compassion Club

 

Craig Covey - Oakland County Commissioner

 

Andy Le Cureaux – Hazel Park City Council

 

Dr. Robert Townsend DO

 

Timothy Sawyer Knowlton, esq.

 

Dennis Hayes, esq.

 

Americans for Safe Access, Michigan Ambassador

 

Cannabis Counsel, PLC

 

Michigan NORML

 

Macomb County NORML

 

The Coalition for a Safer Detroit

 

Safer Michigan Coalition

 

Michigan Moms United to End the War on Drugs

 

Vote Green Initiative Project

 

Students for a Sensible Drug Policy – U of M Chapter

 

MMM Report

 

American Cultivator

 

Medical Marijuana Radio Show

 

Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild

 

National Patients’ Rights Association

 

 

all stand together, execpt we are united ,

Edited April 22, 2012 by cristinew

[wringly]

wringly what you have stated is false ..testimony cpu gave to the house judiciary committee. sad they oppose the bills,, tell the truth stop spreading hate

 

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE

ON

JUDICIARY

Thursday, March 1, 2012 10:00 a.m. Room 521 House Office

 

The Chair laid HB 4834, HB 4851, HB 4853, and HB 4856 before the committee:

4853 they said they are not opposing and with the changes would be neutral on 4856

[+Malamute]

HB 4853 will take 51% to pass and does nothing to change the law.

 

It's a big shrug.

 

It simply puts this:

 

"(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."

 

Known as " MCL 333.26424 (k) " because it is the michigan medical marihuana act Sec. 4 (k)

 

And enters it into the Sentencing guidelines as a 2 year felony, which it is as we passed the Act.

 

There was some question about it, but it is very specificly signifying exactly what it is doing.

 

Exactly what our Law, the MMMAct, told it to do.

 

HB 4856 was never changed properly so we oppose it as the Letter clearly states. The original standard in the original bill said it must be kept enclosed in a case. I see that no different than in your prescription bottle. We opposed it and said it should say "case or container".. As in, in a baggie in your pocket is enclosed in a container. If you go back and look at our testimony, the bill stated simply in a case and could be anywhere in the vehicle. We asked that it only restrict "usable marihuana" and not plants. They have now changed the language to be like CPL laws which is absurd. We of course expect them to make it worse and of course we oppose it as is. Duh. In a case or container anywhere in the car. $100 civil fine for having a half pound of buds strewn across your dashboard and not even packaged. Sounds like a fair dumarse ticket to me. heh.

But yea, of course we oppose midemeanors and stupid restrictions. This bill is likely also 51% to pass.

 

We oppose HB 4851.

 

We oppose HB 4834.

 

I mean, we have been over this how many times now??

Edited April 22, 2012 by Malamute

[mizerman]

Have you read HB 4834? Let me tell you something that you need to know. Even without HB 4856 being signed into law, it is still not safe to have marijuana in the cab of your car in any noticeable way. If you get pulled over right now and your car smells like marijuana, you are probably going to be forced to defend yourself in court. The COA has upped the ante with the recent Koon decision.

 

What is it about saying that in law that is so dangerous? I hate the idea of somebody being prosecuted for a violation of the wording in HB 4856, but if cops smell cannabis on a traffic stop right now you can't just wave your card and go free. Not by a long shot.

 

Well said.

 

The same would hold true if they smelled beer/alcohol in your car or on your person...or, an open intoxicant.

 

Why give law enforcement a chance to ruin your life? Just be smart. It ain't rocket science.

[wringly]

Hey man. The guy laid out his positions. Let him be.

They work together Greg, FF is on cpu's peripheral support team. SFC just used him here to show what a staunch liberal he is. Elsewhere he's used to bring up supporting points.

[wringly]

HB 4853 will take 51% to pass and does nothing to change the law.

 

It's a big shrug.

 

It simply puts this:

 

"(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."

 

Known as " MCL 333.26424 (k) " because it is the michigan medical marihuana act Sec. 4 (k)

 

And enters it into the Sentencing guidelines as a 2 year felony, which it is as we passed the Act.

 

There was some question about it, but it is very specificly signifying exactly what it is doing.

 

Exactly what our Law, the MMMAct, told it to do.

 

HB 4856 was never changed properly so we oppose it as the Letter clearly states. The original standard in the original bill said it must be kept enclosed in a case. I see that no different than in your prescription bottle. We opposed it and said it should say "case or container".. As in, in a baggie in your pocket is enclosed in a container. If you go back and look at our testimony, the bill stated simply in a case and could be anywhere in the vehicle. We asked that it only restrict "usable marihuana" and not plants. They have now changed the language to be like CPL laws which is absurd. We of course expect them to make it worse and of course we oppose it as is. Duh. In a case or container anywhere in the car. $100 civil fine for having a half pound of buds strewn across your dashboard and not even packaged. Sounds like a fair dumarse ticket to me. heh.

But yea, of course we oppose midemeanors and stupid restrictions. This bill is likely also 51% to pass.

 

We oppose HB 4851.

 

We oppose HB 4834.

 

I mean, we have been over this how many times now??

Duh ? Is that another attack on someone who would dare question 4856 ?

[wringly]

Have you read HB 4834? Let me tell you something that you need to know. Even without HB 4856 being signed into law, it is still not safe to have marijuana in the cab of your car in any noticeable way. If you get pulled over right now and your car smells like marijuana, you are probably going to be forced to defend yourself in court. The COA has upped the ante with the recent Koon decision.

 

What is it about saying that in law that is so dangerous? I hate the idea of somebody being prosecuted for a violation of the wording in HB 4856, but if cops smell cannabis on a traffic stop right now you can't just wave your card and go free. Not by a long shot.

No Zap , your supposed to jump up and down and point the other way and then attack. You got them mixed up. Nevertheless they must be proud to have gotten someone all the way to administrator.

[Restorium2]

You nailed it wringly. We are everywhere. More than just 63%.

Edited April 22, 2012 by Restorium2

[pic book]

let's hear it for tabling!

[jamieuke]

I disagree that 4853 is as benign as most think. If all it does is codify existing law, then there is no reason to do anything. Admittedly, not understanding all of the implications, it would introduce, for the first time "sales" into code when referring to marijuana distribution. The main reason that P v McQueen was such a horrible ruling, is that it said that "sales" should be included in the definition of medical use, in order for participants of the program to have an exemption to the current laws. The problem is, while growing it, possessing it, getting and giving it are already illegal and exemptions needed (according to the COA perspective) for participants, "sales" are not mentioned at all. When someone is charged with "selling", they are actually charged with delivery or distribution because the act was illegal whether or not money was exchanged.

 

I understand when someone, including good lawyers, don't see an immediate issue. However, I still wonder what the real purpose for doing this is, if it really doesn't mean anything and is already the law.

 

If it passes, I believe that there could be some potential challenges.

 

Of course, we need be concerned with the bills in need of a super-majority vote that we can possibly do something about.

 

Malamute and others are correct. If 4853 gets a vote, it will likely pass.

Edited April 22, 2012 by jamieuke

[SFC]

Wow Wringly. You sure have me pegged It is all a grand conspiracy. I will admit now that I have millions of dollars, I fly Bill Schuette and the state reps to my house on the weekend, we have milk and cookies and talk about killing kittens. It is a riot.

 

I know I said I would try to not say anything too mean, but I sure am tempted...

[mizerman]

Wow Wringly. You sure have me pegged It is all a grand conspiracy. I will admit now that I have millions of dollars, I fly Bill Schuette and the state reps to my house on the weekend, we have milk and cookies and talk about killing kittens. It is a riot.

 

I know I said I would try to not say anything too mean, but I sure am tempted...

 

I'll say it.

 

Yes.

 

SFC and I have been holding secret meetings with Governor Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette twice each month up at the governor's mansion on Mackinac Island.

 

We also bring in the movers and shakers from California and Colorado along with a bevy of beautiful high-priced escorts and we charge it all to our expense accounts.

 

Early each Sunday morning we all strip down to our birthday suits, put on some Lou Rawls and play several rousing games of Twister until Meet The Press comes on tv.

 

Then, we break out the bongs, rolling papers, vaporizers, topical oil, and medibles & then go mushroom picking in the woods.

 

This last meeting ended up being a week-long event. The next one is the first Saturday in May. You are cordially invited.

 

Isn't this a glorious time to be selling our rights away for the almighty dollar. Yep, that's what we've been doing. They've been spreading that Dow Chemical money around like it's a sand-filled beach of high-powered Columbian Marching Powder...but, that's another story for another time.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcwYEGdKto8

 

Those republicans in Lansing are some kinky fools who really know how to party and get jiggy with it!

 

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Hugs & Kisses,

 

Mizerman

[jamieuke]

There appears to be a little leftover thinking from the changing culture of this site.

 

Whether it is Wringly or anyone, having an actual point, then being able to rationally discuss it, or accept answers and different views, but remain coherent and civil, without inwardly pointing fingers, will offer a much more healthy and productive forum.

 

Because of the changes made here, so many more people who are actively involved and knowledgable of many of the scenarios contemplated here, have been participating and imparting very useful information.

 

For so long, a big part of the truth was missing from these discussions and replaced with false accusations and divisive intentions. The current state of things is quite remarkable and exciting in a lot of ways.

 

Let the detractors die off or learn how to be a part of things in this, more evolved, approach.

 

Much thanks to Michael and Chad and those coming back and feeling comfortable contributing the real, pertinent information we can all benefit from.