Michigan Bill Advances To Distribute Pot Through Pharmacies

[bobandtorey]

A bill advancing in the Michigan Senate would make marijuana availablein pharmacies,

but there’s one catch: It is contingent upon a change in federal law.

 

Michigan already has a medical marijuana law, and four more Michigan localities passed ballot initiatives last month to remove penalties for marijuana possession. But Michigan’s medical marijuana law authorizes home-grown marijuana and dispensation via “caregivers.” A February court decision found that the state’s law does not authorize even small-scale sale or distribution of marijuana.

 

The bill that passed the Senate Government Operations Committee 3-0aims to subject medical marijuana to the same safety and quality standards as other medicines by dispensing it through pharmacies.

Because marijuana remains a Schedule I substance under federal law, however, and deemed to have no currently available medical use,pharmacies are not permitted to dispense marijuana. The bill, therefore, would be explicitly contingent on a change of marijuana’s classification from Schedule I to Schedule II.

 

Other drugs that are Schedule II include cocaine, opium poppy, morphine, and codeine.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee cited marijuana’s Schedule I designation as the reason why she refused to enforce a state medical marijuana law. Former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire also called for the drug to be rescheduled so her state could dispense it via pharmacies.

 

Changing marijuana’s classification would not require an act of Congress. The Drug Enforcement Administration has the authority to reschedule drugs. But it has rejected several requests to change marijuana’s designation, finding there is insufficient research of its medical benefits.

 

In January, a federal appeals court declined to force the Drug Enforcement Administration to change marijuana’s Schedule I designation. Plaintiffs in the case cited more than 200 peer-reviewed studies and argued that it is precisely marijuana’s Schedule I designation that makes the legal access and funding necessary for large-scale studies so difficult to come by.

 

The bill also includes measures to regulate the growth and dispensation of marijuana now absent from the state’s legal regime. But some in the medical marijuana movement oppose the bill, saying it is a move to “corporatize” marijuana backed by moneyed interests. Another bill pending would explicitly authorize dispensaries, without the incorporation of pharmacies.

 

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/11/12/2923801/michigan-weighs-selling-marijuana-pharmacies/

Edited November 13, 2013 by bobandtorey

[GregS]

You're overdoing it bob. There are threads where this belongs.

[Zerocool]

IT PASSED TODAY

[trichcycler]

We demanded medical recognition, no surprise they want to regulate it as such then. Vineyards are popping up all over the state, selling their own grape wines right on site for thought.

[bobandtorey]

You're overdoing it bob. There are threads where this belongs.

OK when you are a Mod you can move it to any thread you like

[phaquetoo]

So wtf does this mean! and does it change my way of life in any way, im going to the pharmacy tomorow, are they also gonna have scripts for clones? not that I want any, I can only picture that they are gonna have pre rolled indiana ditch weed! uhg

 

It can probably be argued that that is what the 63% might have voted for pharmacy mm, I sure hope it is good, and who in the heck is gonna presribe it to me, or can I just go get it when ever I want with my card? This cant be good!

 

Peace

[+washtenaut]

It did not yet pass the Michigan House nor has it been signed by the Governor.  So, no, tomorrow's visit to the pharmacy will be no different than the last visit.

 

If the Feds change the scheduling of 'pharmaceutical grade cannabis' you will need another permit to belong to the Pure Prairie program.  You will need to decide whether you want to remain in the current Michigan Medical Marijuana program or whether you wish to join the new program - one or the other, not both.

[bobandtorey]

Sorry

You will need to decide whether you want to remain in the current Michigan Medical Marijuana program or whether you wish to join the new program

but i think they will decide for us even if the bill say's it won't change anything if that were true why pass a Bill?

but i wouldn't worry until it does pass

[bobandtorey]

So wtf does this mean! and does it change my way of life in any way, im going to the pharmacy tomorow, are they also gonna have scripts for clones? not that I want any, I can only picture that they are gonna have pre rolled indiana ditch weed! uhg

 

It can probably be argued that that is what the 63% might have voted for pharmacy mm, I sure hope it is good, and who in the heck is gonna presribe it to me, or can I just go get it when ever I want with my card? This cant be good!

 

Peace

16

17  PATIENT IS LIKELY TO RECEIVE THERAPEUTIC OR PALLIATIVE BENEFIT18  FROM THE USE OF PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE CANNABIS TO TREAT OR

                          PART 81APRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE CANNABIS

SEC. 8151. A PHYSICIAN WHO DETERMINES THAT HIS OR HER

19 ALLEVIATE THE PATIENT'S DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITION OR

20 SYMPTOMS OF THE PATIENT'S DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITION MAY

21 RECOMMEND THE ISSUANCE OF AN ENHANCED PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE

22 CANNABIS REGISTRATION CARD TO THAT PATIENT AS AN ELIGIBLE

23 PATIENT.

24 SEC. 8152. (1) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE AN ENHANCED

25 PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE CANNABIS REGISTRATION CARD TO AN ELIGIBLE 26 PATIENT WHO IS RECOMMENDED BY A PHYSICIAN TO OBTAIN A

27 REGISTRATION CARD AND WHO PROPERLY APPLIES FOR THAT CARD. BEFORE

S02207'13 (S-3) TVD

22

1  ISSUING A CARD TO AN ELIGIBLE PATIENT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE 2  DEPARTMENT SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL HAS PREVIOUSLY 3  BEEN CONVICTED OF ILLEGALLY MANUFACTURING, CREATING, 4  DISTRIBUTING, POSSESSING, OR USING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OR 5  CONSPIRING OR ATTEMPTING TO MANUFACTURE, CREATE, DISTRIBUTE, 6  POSSESS, OR USE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN THIS STATE OR 7  ELSEWHERE. IF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONVICTED OF 8  ILLEGALLY MANUFACTURING, CREATING, DISTRIBUTING, POSSESSING, OR 9  USING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OR CONSPIRING OR ATTEMPTING TO

10 MANUFACTURE, CREATE, DISTRIBUTE, POSSESS, OR USE A CONTROLLED 11 SUBSTANCE IN THIS STATE OR ELSEWHERE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT 12 ISSUE A REGISTRATION CARD TO THAT INDIVIDUAL.

13 (2) IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS A REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD AS 14 DEFINED IN SECTION 3 OF THE MICHIGAN MEDICAL MARIHUANA ACT, 2008 15 IL 1, MCL 333.26423, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE THE INDIVIDUAL 16 TO SURRENDER THAT CARD BEFORE ISSUING THE INDIVIDUAL AN ENHANCED 17 PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE CANNABIS REGISTRATION CARD UNDER THIS

18 SECTION.

19 SEC. 8153. (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT THE

20 FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR EACH PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE CANNABIS

21 REGISTRATION CARD IS ENTERED INTO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION 22 NETWORK:

23. 23  (A) THE CARD REGISTRATION NUMBER.

24. 24  (B) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM THE CARD

25 IS ISSUED.

26. 26  © THE DATE THE CARD WAS ISSUED.

27. 27  (D) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PHYSICIAN WHO AUTHORIZED 

28. no worries for me i guess i can't get any CVS weed

[Highlander]

It did not yet pass the Michigan House nor has it been signed by the Governor.  So, no, tomorrow's visit to the pharmacy will be no different than the last visit.

 

If the Feds change the scheduling of 'pharmaceutical grade cannabis' you will need another permit to belong to the Pure Prairie program.  You will need to decide whether you want to remain in the current Michigan Medical Marijuana program or whether you wish to join the new program - one or the other, not both.

 

Can you please quote the portion of this bill that says a patient can only participate in one law or the other but not both?  I don't see it.  Thank you.

[Kingdiamond]

Can you please quote the portion of this bill that says a patient can only participate in one law or the other but not both?  I don't see it.  Thank you.

Richardville was quoted on this the other day at the initial hearings.

[t-pain]

it says the prarie plant registry would ask a MMMA card holder to surrender their card.

 

theres a flaw in the bill , but i dont want to talk about it, so they dont go messing things up further.

[Highlander]

Ok - found it   :growl:

 

17        (2) If an individual has a registry identification card as

 

18  defined in section 3 of the Michigan medical marihuana act, 2008

 

19  IL 1, MCL 333.26423, the department shall require the individual

 

20  to surrender that card before issuing the individual an enhanced

 

21  pharmaceutical-grade cannabis registration card under this

 

22  section.

 

How can anyone pretend that this bill increases patient access to meds?  Or pretend that this program would run parallel to the current patient-caregiver system as has been claimed?

 

What is the need for a patient to surrender his MMMP card?  Oh, so he can forfeit his right to grow...forfeit his right to appoint a CG to grow...to get all those pesky home grows out of the way.

 

If you are a brand new patient and don't have immediate access to meds, it might be easier to get your enhanced card and pay your $20/gram and have no other options and no way to grow for yourself.  And you get stuck in that trap. 

 

 

 

 

This smacks of a payday loan.

[Juan Roberto]

In order to do this, and regardless of any Federal rescheduling, wouldn't the State of Michigan have to legalize marijuana for this to be legal with a Medical Marijuana law already in place?  

 

Otherwise, how could the State issue a contract to a company for a giant grow, when the law clearly states that an individual may only have 12 plants for himself or his patient, 2.5 useable ounces, and up to 5 patients--and may only do so with a doctor's affidavit.  So, with a voter approved law already in place, wouldn't that company need to first get a doctor's note--unless the State legalizes marijuana?  Because, without doing so, the State would be breaking the law.  Again.

 

... yes, I'm being facetious.  But I would like to hear from a legal expert on exactly how this would work, and what conflicts -- if any -- might arise because of the current law.

[bobandtorey]

In order to do this, and regardless of any Federal rescheduling, wouldn't the State of Michigan have to legalize marijuana for this to be legal with a Medical Marijuana law already in place?  

 

Otherwise, how could the State issue a contract to a company for a giant grow, when the law clearly states that an individual may only have 12 plants for himself or his patient, 2.5 useable ounces, and up to 5 patients--and may only do so with a doctor's affidavit.  So, with a voter approved law already in place, wouldn't that company need to first get a doctor's note--unless the State legalizes marijuana?  Because, without doing so, the State would be breaking the law.  Again.

 

... yes, I'm being facetious.  But I would like to hear from a legal expert on exactly how this would work, and what conflicts -- if any -- might arise because of the current law.

Planet Green Trees Radio  8 pm  10 pm you may have the answer to this tonight i'am sure he will be talking about this

[trichcycler]

you see something in the bill that all the pro MI medical marijuana lawyers missed ?

 

.

 

 

"theres a flaw in the bill , but i dont want to talk about it, so they dont go messing things up further."

[t-pain]

In order to do this, and regardless of any Federal rescheduling, wouldn't the State of Michigan have to legalize marijuana for this to be legal with a Medical Marijuana law already in place?  

 

0660 reschedules pharma grade marijuana to schedule 2 in michigan.

 

(2) Marihuana, including pharmaceutical-grade cannabis, is a

schedule 2 controlled substance if it is manufactured, obtained,

stored, dispensed, possessed, grown, or disposed of in compliance

with this act and as authorized by federal authority.

 

as long as you get "federal authorization".

 

the MMMA takes precedence over the state controlled substances scheduling schema.

Edited November 14, 2013 by t-pain

[t-pain]

you see something in the bill that all the pro MI medical marijuana lawyers missed ?

 

.

i'm sure some saw it too, they are just keeping quiet about it as well

[bobandtorey]

So wtf does this mean! and does it change my way of life in any way, im going to the pharmacy tomorow, are they also gonna have scripts for clones? not that I want any, I can only picture that they are gonna have pre rolled indiana ditch weed! uhg

 

It can probably be argued that that is what the 63% might have voted for pharmacy mm, I sure hope it is good, and who in the heck is gonna presribe it to me, or can I just go get it when ever I want with my card? This cant be good!

 

Peace

To get a card, the patient could not have been convicted of a drug offense,

 

would have to surrender his or her ID card issued under the existing law and be at least 18 years old. Suppliers and participating pharmacies would undergo annual

 

inspections.

[phaquetoo]

And if I just want to stay how I am, a pt/cg with a c.g is this gonna effect that, will c.g's and pt growers still be able to grow? Ive read as much as what was put up in here, and ive been seeing it on our local news, but I still cant make sense of it, and if it depends on the feds changing it to a schedule 2 to make it work, do we realy think they are going to do it w/o lots of $$$ and kick backs coming back to the crooks in office, and they are all crooks, dems and repubs alike so dont kid your self!

 

Peace

[GregS]

They are indeed looking for ways to take our grow rights.   Kathleen Gray Gannett Michigan

• Filed Under

• News
• Capitol

 

 

Related Links

• Lansing voters pass marijuana proposal
  A bill that would allow for the growing and sale of pharmaceutical grade marijuana at pharmacies in Michigan passed the state Senate Wednesday on a 22-16 vote.

The bill was lauded by supporters as a way to guarantee a safe, tested product for medical marijuana users. But opponents said it did nothing to address shortfalls in Michigan’s current medical marijuana law and would outsource production from home growers to out-of-state corporations.

“Why are we spending taxpayer time and resources for an out-of-state corporate constituent who may or may not come to the state,” said Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing. “ And we’re not doing squat for anything to help current constituents who can not access medical marijuana.”

The bill was supported in committee last week by Chuck Perricone, who represents Prarie Plant Systems, a Canadian company that grows and sells pharmaceutical cannabis. It was opposed by many who support the original medical marijuana law.

But Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, said the bill provides another, safer alternative for medical marijuana users.

“It’s a straightforward bill that seeks to treat medical marijuana like other drugs,” he said.

And Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said the bill will begin the process of getting marijuana sales out of homes and into pharmacies.

“It’s time to get marijuana out of houses and put it somewhere else,” he said. “Let the pharmaceutical companies grow it and sell it in pharmacies.”

The bill doesn’t do anything, however, to stop home growers or care givers from continuing to grow marijuana for people who hold doctor-approved medical marijuana certificates.

The bill would: amend the public health code and classify marijuana as a schedule 2 controlled substance; provide for the licensure and regulation of facilities to grow and test pharmaceutical grade pot and allow those facilities to sell the drug to pharmacies to dispense.

Medical marijuana users would have to get an additional, enhanced certificate from a doctor in order to be able to buy the drug from a pharmacy. The bill also would restrict the sale of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis to 2 ounces per month, per customer, who is at least 18 years old.

The legislation is contingent upon the federal government reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule 2 controlled substance, which would give it medical legitimacy and would allow pharmacies to dispense it. Marijuana is now a schedule 1 controlled substance, which the federal government still considers an illegal substance with no medical benefit.

Whitmer tried to add an amendment that would decriminalize recreational use of marijuana, but that amendment failed on a 10-22 vote.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Kathy Gray is a reporter for the Detroit Free Press.

[bobandtorey]

It was great while it lasted we all had so much fun growing our own Cannabis and helping many but i still think most won't stop growing just because of some Law it never stop them before it won't now

[trichcycler]

past tense ?

[GregS]

If you're not going to help out, do we really need to hear that?

 

They might have the money, but we have the electorate. They need to be reminded.

Edited November 14, 2013 by GregS

[trichcycler]

.

 

in lieu of "The bill doesn’t do anything, however, to stop home growers or care givers from continuing to grow marijuana for people who hold doctor-approved medical marijuana certificates." 

 

if this part is truthful, what detriment to us is presented in this ?

Edited November 14, 2013 by grassmatch