Lowell's Poll- Just In Results From Last Weeks's Question:

[The Compassion Chronicles]

The question was- A new Michigan law requires patients driving a car to carry their marijuana medicine in a case or in the trunk. Do you feel this is a reasonable protection for patients and other drivers or is this an unreasonable restriction to the ill and injured?

 

77% of respondents thought that the new law equals an unnecessary restriction, while 23% view it as a reasonable protection.

 

Here is what the experts, in this case criminal defense attorney Michael Komorn, business attorney Denise Pollicella, and the "Godfather" of marijuana reform, Tim Beck have to say about recently passed, House Bill 4856.

 

Attorney Michael Komorn’ practice specializes in Medical Marihuana representation. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group with over 26,000 members, which advocates for medical marihuana patients, and caregiver rights. Michael is also the host of Planet Green Trees Radio, a marijuana reform based show, which is broadcast every Thursday night 8-10 pm EST www.planetgreentrees.com Here are his thoughts on 4856:

 

"4856 born out of the late night lame duck session is not a law intended to protect patients or caregivers. Instead it sets out a new opportunity for law enforcement officers to find violations of how patients and caregivers engage in the medical use of cannabis. Furthermore it is a law that exclusively targets persons who choose to treat their serious or debilitating condition with medical cannabis, and no one else.

 

If the goal of this legislature was to clear up the "holes" in the law, the passing of 4856 would earn the Legislature an (F) Failure on their report card, for doing the exact opposite...

 

The goal of this legislature should have been to ensure the implementation of the voter’s initiative. They should have started with the premise what can they do to protect patients and caregivers from arrest, and treat these issues as public health concern and not public safety issues. Their failure to follow this approach is the reason why laws like 4856 were passed. 4856 is not a reasonable restriction and the legislatures attempt to "fix" the act, can only be described as a big swing and a miss."

 

 

To read the rest of Michael's answer, and responses from Tim Beck and Denise Policella, follow this link:

http://www.thecompassionchronicles.com/2012/12/29/lowells-poll/

Edited December 30, 2012 by The Compassion Chronicles