2012: The Michigan Cannabis Year In Review

[jamieuke]

Rick Thompson

 

 

January

 

The year began with a renewing of licenses in Ypsilanti for the city’s four licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and one grow operation. All facilities completed multiple inspections and a city official was quoted as saying, “We haven’t had any problems…”

 

The United States Supreme Court refuses to hear two cases, one from Washington and one from Oregon, regarding possession of a concealed handgun and medical marijuana. The refusal establishes a patient’s right to own a concealed weapon and cannabis in those states.

 

A jury refuses to convict Shekina Pena of elections fraud in Lansing. Pena, operator of the Your Healthy Choice dispensary, was accused by the Attorney General of buying votes for friendly candidates.

 

23 medical marijuana stores in Colorado received letters from the federal government threatening them with “seizure and forfeit” of their stores and property. A similar strategy is employed in California and Washington State.

 

 

Rick Thompson, Midwest Multi Media Management and editor, The Compassion Chronicles

An Oakland County judge dismisses charges against seven defendants charged in the raid on the Ferndale dispensary called Clinical Relief. The raids were part of a sweep by Oakland County Sheriffs that covered many private residences and snared a pair of Waterford establishments.

 

Oral arguments are heard in the cases of People v King/People v Kolanek. The cases would eventually be decided in support of a Section 8 defense for patients in court, among other things.

 

State Representatives continually engage in debate and explanations over the Walsh package of bills introduced in 2011. Radio shows and newspaper articles discuss the potential effects of the various pieces of the package, aimed at altering the 2008 Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMA).

 

Federal officials continue their attack on medical marijuana in California by filing four asset forfeiture lawsuits against properties housing cannabusinesses. Another round of threat letters to landlords of cannabis-based commerce; the letters threaten forfeiture and legal action.

 

The Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment begins their quest to gather 385,000 signatures to ensure placement on their state’s ballot. The measure is eventually unsuccessful.

 

Libertarian candidate for President Gary Johnson, a 2011 Hash Bash speaker, is vocal against Newt Gingrich, also candidate, for his 1996 proposal to sentence two-time marijuana smugglers to a death sentence. Johnson champions the cause off and on for the remainder of the year but is defeated in November.

 

Wayne State University hosted a marijuana symposium featuring former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. The Wayne Law Review sponsored the event, which included national names and local legal eagles.

 

February

 

LARA issues guidelines for physicians writing recommendations for medical marijuana in Michigan.

 

Petition drives for the Repeal Today movement are operating in communities across the state. The petition drive aims to repeal the prohibition of cannabis in Michigan.

 

The Silver Tour is rolling right along. Covering Florida and nearby states, Robert Platshorn’s tour bus filled with senior citizens travels the highways educating people on the healing properties of cannabis. His Tour is national news, and a video called “Why Grandma Smokes Pot” is created later in the year.

 

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled the city of Detroit must allow the issue of legalized marijuana to appear on the ballot. This is just one bus-stop on the long route this proposal endures before being voted on- and approved- in November 2012.

 

 

Tim Beck and Matthew Abel at the Detroit Election Commission

A Wayne State University study researching the composition and effects of marijuana in Michigan patients rolls on in full steam. Dispensaries in three cities participate, asking patients to complete online surveys of cannabis whose chemical makeup is pre-recorded.

 

Big Daddy’s goes to court with Chesterfield Township over their dispensary operation. Prosecution is conducted by the Attorney General’s office.

 

See the rest of the year in review at:

 

http://www.thecompassionchronicles.com/2013/01/01/2012-the-michigan-cannabis-year-in-review/

Edited January 2, 2013 by jamieuke

[bobandtorey]

Big Daddy’s goes to court is their any news on his case from Oakpark?

I heard he is looking for another Lawyer

 

and their was a break down with the Matt Newburg

 

[jamieuke]

Big Daddy’s goes to court is their any news on his case from Oakpark?

I heard he is looking for another Lawyer

 

and their was a break down with the Matt Newburg

 

Newburg did withdraw from the case, but I know no details as to why. I believe there is a hearing soon, possibly this month.