Ann Arbor medical marijuana dispensaries didn't open Monday following raids, court ruling
Medical marijuana dispensaries in Ann Arbor appeared to be closed Monday, almost a week after an appeals court ruling and raids threw the future of the businesses into the unknown.
Christian Davis, a co-founder of OM of Medicine, a dispensary at 112 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor, said via e-mail that no dispensaries are operating today in Ann Arbor that he is aware of.
Ann Arbor medical marijuana dispensaries have closed their doors for now, those close to the fledgling industry said.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruling on Tuesday made the sale of marijuana at dispensaries illegal in the eyes of the state. The establishments can be shut down under a state public nuisance law, according to state Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Then Michigan State Police drug investigators raided two Ann Arbor medical marijuana dispensaries Thursday — an action they said was part of an ongoing investigation into the businesses and not related to the court ruling. Dispensary owners aren’t so sure that the raids and the court ruling aren't related, Davis said.
Medical marijuana action
Here are some of AnnArbor.com’s recent stories on the issues surrounding medical marijuana:
Davis said thousands of patients are going without their medicine as a result of the events of last week.
“This is cruel and inhumane,” Davis wrote. “State and local governments would never be allowed to withhold prescription pharmaceuticals from cancer patients being ravaged by chemotherapy or any other illness, and this is no different. We have received hundreds of phone calls and emails from our members wondering what they are supposed to do without their medicine.”
An individual who picked up the phone at Green Bee Collective, 401 S. Maple Road in Ann Arbor, confirmed they are closed as well. The employee declined to provide a name and referred other questions to an attorney.
Ann Arbor city officials said last week a new licensing process for dispensaries is now under review; the businesses received applications in the mail Aug. 22.
Calls to several other Ann Arbor dispensaries went unanswered Monday afternoon.
However, dispensaries are still operating in Ypsilanti.
An employee at 3rd Coast Compassion Center, 19 N. Hamilton, in Ypsilanti said the business was open Monday.
"In other parts of the state, and even as nearby as Ypsilanti dispensaries are open because their local city attorney’s office decided they do not agree with the Attorney General’s interpretation of the appellate court ruling," Davis wrote.
According to Ypsilanti City Manger Ed Koryzno, the city has licensed four dispensaries and one grow facility.
Adam Tasselmyer, the founder of Herbal Solutions, 124 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, said his shop is open.
It closed the day of the raids, but re-opened the next day. He said his business is a non-profit and accepts donations in exchange for the medicinal marijuana, so it is not a sales transaction.
Prior to Tuesday, the state had been silent on dispensaries. They popped up any way after the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act went into effect in April 2009. The law sets up a system under which patients can grow marijuana for themselves or have a state-registered caregiver do it for them.
Tasselmyer said his business is not a nuisance.
“I had my patients come in Thursday and want to know: ‘How we are supposed to get our medicine?’ People rely on this every day.”
That’s why he re-opened, he said.
Schuette said he would send a letter to the state’s 83 prosecutors outlining how the businesses can be shut down under the recent changes to the law.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Brian Mackie was not available to comment Monday.
Ann Arbor City Attorney Stephen Postema said he's not advising dispensaries whether they should or shouldn't operate — he said they should seek legal advice from their own attorneys. In the meantime, he said he's reviewing the situation with the county prosecutor.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Every medical marijuana advocate and user who also smokes tobacco is the highest form of hypocrite....no pun intended.
buenaonda
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
so...... pun intended....
malcolm kyle
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
Prohibition does nothing but bankroll dangerous criminals, corrupt whole law enforcement agencies and generously arm international terrorists. Alcohol prohibition (1919-1933) was a casebook example of such dangerous folly. Today, alcohol is taxed and regulated and the shoot-outs over turf and the killing of innocent bystanders are no longer a daily part of the alcohol trade. So how come many of you here lack the ability to learn from such an important historical lesson, and are instead intent on perpetuating the madness and misery that prohibition has always invariably engendered? It is clearly our always-doomed-to-fail policy of prohibition that is causing this intense misery. We need to fix ourselves (start thinking clearly) and in doing so, we will not only help rid ourselves of this terrible self-inflicted curse but also help to heal the whole planet. Are we really such an adolescent nation that we can expect neither maturity nor cognitive thought from either our leaders or our populace? This is not a war on drugs; it's an outright war on sanity! Colombia, Peru, Mexico or Afghanistan, with their coca leaves, marijuana buds or their poppy sap, are not igniting temptation in the minds of poor weak American citizens. These countries are merely responding to the enormous demand that comes from within our own borders. Invading or destroying those countries, creating more hate, violence, instability, injustice and corruption, will not fix this problem. We need to admit that It is ourselves who are sick. Prohibition is neither a sane nor a safe approach. Left unabated, it's devouring inferno will surely engulf every last one of us!
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
It lost all the other times they did that when it was just total legalization. See California. Some popular support...hmm?
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.
So put it on the ballot and vote on it.
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
Gee, with the way the MedMar lobby carries on about needing access to their substance, you'd almost think it was addictive or something....
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
I get a kick out of most of the validity that the MedMar lobby finds in their drug of choice can only be found by comparing it to medications that are worse for you....like prescription medications. That's all well and good, and bravo for God creating something so kind as the herb...however, but that still doesn't mean it doesn't have some downsides. How about no drugs at all? That would be the best way to avoid this whole hassle altogether: promote good nutrition, diets, and exercise. Too bad the only pile of ___ bigger than the horsepucky that is medmar's pseudo-science is usally the pile of tobacco cigarette butts outside the door of each dispensary. I noticed there was always a smoking section of cigarette smokers outside the one on Packard. So it goes...
rusty shackelford
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
Although irony is obviously lost on you, I'll point out that many prescription painkillers are ACTUALLY addictive, unlike marijuana, which is so only in some close-minded people's imaginations.
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
"[S]lobbering messes of junkie-likewithdrawal and pain." Wow, how colorful of you. You have the makings of a great fiction writer.
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
If it's not psychologically addicting, I don't know why everyone fusses and fiends so much if they can't get it. You'd think their symptoms just came roaring back so quickly they aren't able to leave their house and are just slobbering messes of junkie-likewithdrawal and pain if they don't get their pot on the hour every day, the way the MedMar people portray it. As if it were a life and death issue...which it is not...that they can't get their pot. It looks alot more like addiction than non-addiction to fiend after something so bad, if you ask me.
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.
No one has died from taking marijuana as medicine. Conversely, no one has died from not having their marijuna. Have they?
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.
Except it's not addictive, as most thinking people know already.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
Would you say the same thing if there was an athasma patient gasping for breath? Needing a medication to maintain ones health, and being addicted to a medication are 2 completely seperate issues. In the interest of rational thought/debate, lets try to make a distinction between the two.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
David Antjuan Ware was shot in the back by a LAWNET officer in 2007 after trying to get away. He was unarmed. <a href="http://ypsinews.com/files/LAWNET_Shooting.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://ypsinews.com/files/LAWNET_Shooting.pdf</a>
treetowncartel
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
Legalize it, regulate it and tax it!
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 6:39 p.m.
I would think it would be more analogous to prohibition. Wouldn't you agree? I think that issue was resolved via a law? I also think that alcohol was marketed by various medicine men and snake oil salesmen as a tonic that was "good for what ails you". Lot's of similarites there. Regardless, as long as the level of slacktivism stays at the current level, nothing will change. Keep posting: "Legalize it, regulate it and tax it!" that's a real change agent.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Eyehearta2, in the 1940's people said the same thing about Jim Crow. The truth is when you have a majority denying freedom to a minority, it's not always right. Even if it is the law.
treetowncartel
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
Of course the state doesn't recognize this as the 4th branch, it is the Governor's campaign /re-election website
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Then put it on the ballot and vote on it. I don't think our state recognizes the comment section of AA.com as the fourth legislative branch. I might be wrong on this though. Maybe they would at least give a nod to one off those polls aa.com puts out every now and again.
Mr Blue
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
LAWNET, Law enforcement, attorneys public and private, judges, the prison industry, prison workers and their unions, Pharmaceutical companies, spirit, wine and beer manufacturers, thug drug dealers, Mexican cartels etc, ALL have a vested interest in keeping a simple plant, marijuana illegal. They all depend on keeping marijuana illegal becasue their jibs depend on it. Taxpayers pay for attorneys, judges, prisons. We all pay for the profits of drug and alcohol producing companies and their CEO's. Next time you tell anyone how bad marijuana, a simple plant with a 2000 year recorded history of multiple safe uses including medical, is, think about how much it costs to keep it illegal, so others may make massive profits from its illegality.
leaguebus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
To the guys flaming Lawnet. This is not Lawnet's problem. They have many dedicated and courageous Police officers risking their lives to do their job. If we want to focus on someone, focus on Schuette and ultimately Snyder for this mess. These right wing guys think they know better than anyone on anything and even if the people speak, we are ignored. Snyder and his right wing cronies are making the hard decisions for us. I would include the Postema in this also. The city goes through hours and hours of meetings about these businesses then shuts them all down after treating them like common felons. Meanwhile, Ypsi motors on.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
@leaguebus I do not doubt for a minute that there are many dedicated and courageous police officers who work for LAWNET. If anything, that is yet another reason why it is time to disband LAWNET. Let's put those officers to work fighting real crimes.
Goofus
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
In related news, area convenience stores and fast food outlets have reported a significant drop in sales of chips, snack items, and sweets since the closure of the area dispensaries.
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
Ok, that got a smile/chuckle from me - thanks.
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
Nyuk nyuk.
Blanch DuBois
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
This is not a war ON drugs, it is a war FOR drugs and who gets to control and profit from them. No one gives up power, control, or money without a fight.
Gordon
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
1 - Obviously this is an important story to many just check the comments. 2 - Voter wishes are difficult to impliment when you have a republic form of governmemt. It takes a major popular push to influence the legislators. A threat to their jobs? 3 - The simplist method is to have Congress pass a law legalizing MMMA. Thereby over riding the State's laws. 4 - As long as the Feds have a law the States are stuck. I suspect the threat of losing legislative jobs in Michigan was strong enough that passageof MMMA wasn't difficult because they knew the Fed law was in conflict. 5 - If the raids on certain dispenseries had reasons beyond the obvious State Attorney comments then don't expect answers until or if charges are filed. 6 - In era of the need to spend money wisely this type of crimminal activety has been a taxpayor waste. Very similar to the 30's era of prohibition which wasted a lot of taxpayors money. Cost of enforcement, court, and locking people up at taxpayor expense. 7 - Is this a topic only in A2 or are the rest of the communities in Michigan up in arms? 8 - I think - like alcholol - this is a waste of time & effort. As dumb as preventing same sex marriages. A violation of ones choices by those who fear breaking their moral code and not someone elses as they proclaim. 9 - All the can't do this or that above" hasn't stopped the behavior. It's put it underground and cost the taxpayors money better spent on Health education then correction. 10 - After a degree of maturation I beleive we are capable & have the right to are own health choices as long as it isn't a burden on others. Right now removing those choices is a burden on others.
Mr 734
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:34 a.m.
LAWNET is a joke. Alway's has been !
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:19 p.m.
I'm sure David Antjuan Ware doesn't think its a joke either...He's dead now. he was shot in the back by a LAWNET officer in 2007 after trying to get away. <a href="http://ypsinews.com/files/LAWNET_Shooting.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://ypsinews.com/files/LAWNET_Shooting.pdf</a>
Nephilim
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:29 a.m.
A huge joke to. Sounds like there is a lot more people crying than laughing at the joke.
Nephilim
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:28 a.m.
Yes they seem to be the focus right now by you and every pot hungry person that blogs on here. I bet the two dispensaries aren't thinking they are so much of a joke right now. Since the majority of the other dispensary shut down and they were not raided, I'd say they all must think lawnets
George1984
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
I'm curious, Curious, Have you ever tried to grow cannabis from a wheelchair? Or when you have stage four cancer, or wasting syndrome from AIDS? It's probably pretty easy for the feeble and terminally ill to spend all of their time and energy growing cannabis. Further more, caregivers are only allowed to have five patients, and there is a disproportionate patient to caregiver ratio. There are simply not enough caregivers to go around. Does your pharmacist make your Xanax, Zoloft, and Vicodin himself? I imagine you aren't cruel, just sadly misinformed.
bright eyes
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
@Curious I totally understand that I could grow my own plants and find a caregiver. Honestly, when my mother sat me down and informed me that she had breast cancer, I did not know up from down. Growing plants was not an option (my porch plants would vouch for me if they could.) I guess we could have researched caregivers, but I ended up calling a well marketed dispensary. We were given instructions on the card application process, which was amazingly helpful. When we got to the dispensary, we were so nervous about the unknown. We were greeted by a very kind man. They took my Mom into a room and explained all her options. She felt informed, safe and cared for. That meant so much to me. My Mom did all the research on her own for this, and I supported her decision. I can honestly tell you and anyone who reads this, that this has made what we now know as precious time, so much better. My Mom watched her own Mother battle cancer, and I know she is happy with her decision to battle her discomfort this way. She was also really happy to have option (thank you voters!) I would hope that the men and women at the dispensary who have helped my Mom through this time are making a living doing what they are doing. They seem to work really hard, and like everyone, they have a right to earn a living. If this movement allows for more people in Michigan to have jobs, then it seems like a win- win to me. I wish all the Ann Arbor.com readers well.
George1984
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
It may not have the votes to prove it, but this is the most heartfelt and accurate testimony I have read. I'm happy your mother received the care she deserved and I hope she continues to get it.
ICanSeeClearlyNow
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:48 p.m.
I am very happy to know that a chemical that real research has shown to cause psychosis and schitzoprenia in some people, especially with long term use, will at least be more restricted in its use. It will be good to know that fewer people will be driving under the influence of THC which stays active in the body longer than alchohol. My thanks to the law enforcement officers who braved the insane and repugnant insults to enforce the law.
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
What a brilliant analogy.
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:18 p.m.
"Pot does not cause psychosis or schizophrenia. Period. End of story." Right, just like the jim tressel loving folks down south; "Coach tressel is a hero and would never hurt the osu, we don't believe the stories". Good luck on both of those.
Not from around here
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
Hey annarbor.com moderator, when are you going to start enforcing your own regulations on isulting and being "that Guy" on DB and Beard? You've deleted my comment for less.
1bit
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
ICanSee: The cause and effect of cannabis usage to schizophrenia/psychosis is, as yet, unproven. Some argue that it is a personality trait of schizophrenics to seek drug usage (and/or satisfies a chemical need in the brain). On the other hand, you are correct that there is some evidence* that suggests that cannabis usage can alter brain maturation and trigger earlier onset of psychotic episodes or schizophrenia in a vulnerable person. I think in discussing the merits of "medical marijuana" one must sometimes be reminded of the question of whether people would be clamoring for a State law if the "medication" did not have the side effect of getting high. *Relevant studies: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21498049" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21498049</a> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21388791" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21388791</a>
Loopy
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
I guess you don't know anyone with nerve damage who doesn't respond to narcotics or anticonvulsants. Cannabis is one of the only substances that can effectively soothe nerve pain without toxic effects. Some of the people who need it are way past being able to walk, let alone drive, if that's what you're so worried about. But I'm glad that you're sucking up to the law enforcement community. I suspect your contempt comes more from people getting away with stuff that irritates you, even though you don't even want it yourself.
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:04 a.m.
@ICanSeeClearlyNow Out of professional tact, the authors of the article don't entirely rule out any causal relation between marijuana and schizophrenia, but they do, as they say "continue to take the view that evidence that cannabis use causes schizophrenia is neither very new nor, by normal criteria, particularly compelling." By the way, I've never argued that marijuana use is harmless, but in the majority of healthy individuals at least, we can say with all intents and purposes that it does NOT cause psychosis. If it did, there would be a lot, and I mean a lot, of psychos around. @Rodney. It's a journal about addiction, so the pot/nicotine link is important. My recommendation to Europeans: take a hint from us Americans and quit rolling your spliffs with tobacco!
ICanSeeClearlyNow
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:48 a.m.
West Of Main, did you read the paper you posted the link to ? First of all the paper is about public policy on pot. It is not a scientific research paper that presents its own evidence. It only references other papers and in so doing, can easily pick and choose its own results to achieve is predisposed point. But even if it were 100% factual, the paper says that public policy simply focuses too much on schitzophrenia as a direct result of pot smoking. It mentions dependency and cancer as 2 other dangers that the authors believe should receive more attention than what they view as shaky evidence regarding the pot-schitzophrenia link. They also believe that the evidence for psychosis is real. So why did you send me to this link?
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:30 a.m.
I'll admit it, my initial statement was a bit too simplistic. Allow me to step back and correct myself. Marijuana does indeed cause psychotic reactions among certain segments of the population, those being overzealous cops, attorney generals, politicians and other miscellaneous prohibitionist types. As for the rest of us, we just have a bit of a snack, maybe a nap, and get on with our lives.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
"Pot does not cause psychosis or schizophrenia. Period. End of story." Thank you for a well thought out response. My kids used to come up with logic like this too, but they outgrew it by, say, Kindergarten.
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.
Which article? Oh, you mean this well-balanced, peer reviewed one in which researchers "conclude that the strongest evidence of a possible causal relation between cannabis use and schizophrenia emerged more than 20 years ago and that the strength of more recent evidence may have been overstated—for a number of possible reasons." Is that the one you mean? <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02846.x/abstract" rel='nofollow'>http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02846.x/abstract</a>
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:48 a.m.
Very good article. I can see you are intelligent and a law abiding citizen. Thank you.
West of Main
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:33 a.m.
I doubt this will get through to you, but I'll try anyway: Pot does not cause psychosis or schizophrenia. Period. End of story.
ICanSeeClearlyNow
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Greggy, Though there may be drugs at CVS that have these side effects, they at least have oversight by the FDA so that they have real benefits. Pot has no proven benefits unless you like to get high. It does however have proven dangerous side effects, like psychosis (including hallucinations) and schitzophrenia.
Greggy_D
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
OK....so how many "legal" drugs found at CVS, RiteAid, etc also can cause psychosis and schitzoprenia in some people?
ICanSeeClearlyNow
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
Beard and Briegel, Why not argue the facts instead of slinging insults?
David Briegel
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
hilarious if not pathetic!
beard
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:01 a.m.
lol
Mr Blue
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
Thank you, Ypsilanti City Attorney for your common sense decision to tell LAWNET to stuff it. This kind of puts Ann Arbor City Attorney Stephen Postema's decision to close Ann Arbor dispensaries assisted by the masked and jack booted officers of LAWNET. It sheds a light as to where the decision came from to cooperate with LAWNET and their heavy handed enforcement. insread of approaching the "problem" in the least invasive way. Postema owes the citizens of Ann Arbor and the businesses he closed an explanation of 1)why he came to a decision to use such force in closing a local business, 2)why he chose to act against a State law mandated by the voters, 3) why he chose to act against the wishes of the majority of the citizens of Ann ARbor who are tolerant of marijuana. Postema is a taxpayer paid public servant. He runs one of the most expensive department in the city. He acts against the wishes and attitudes of the citizens of Ann Arbor. He should offer a letter of resignation when the new City Admininstrator arrives.
Nephilim
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
Hate to tell you this mr. Blue, but the ypsilanti city attorney CAN'T tell lawnet to "stuff" it. As sad as you may find it, the city attorney has zero power or authority over the MICHIGAN STATE POLICE. They can and I'm sure will respond to the dispensaries in Ypsilanti city accordingly if and when they start receiving complaints about them. That my friend will be the most factual information you read on here sir.
ChunkyPastaSauce
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
Overblown I think - read the actual ruling: <a href="http://sbmblog.typepad.com/files/49588.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://sbmblog.typepad.com/files/49588.pdf</a> I believe medical marijuana dispensaries are still legal as long as patient to patient sales do not occur. What was wether patient to patient sales are legal quote from ruling: "The heart of this case is whether patient-to-patient sales of marihuana are in accordance with the provisions of the MMMA." quote from ruling: "Specifically, the "medicaluse" of marihuana, as defined by the MMMA, does not include patient-to-patient "sales" of marihuana, and no other provision of the MMMA can be read to permit such sales. Therefore, defendants have no authority to actively engage in and carry out the selling of marihuana between CA members." quote from ruling: "In conclusion, the "medical use" of marihuana does not include patient-to-patient "sales" of marihuana".... "Defendants, therefore, have no authority under the MMMA to operate a marihuana dispensary that actively engages in and carries out patient-to-patient sales of marihuana.16 Accordingly, defendants' operation of CA is not in accordance with the provisions of the MMMA"
dancinginmysoul
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:02 p.m.
You know, I honestly and sincerely enjoy it when my tax dollars are spent so efficiently and effectively! Way to go! I sincerely look forward to paying my taxes this year knowing that I can live in a city without violent crime like assault and rape, horrible drug addictions like meth or heroin and a strong and robust economy with enough police and fire fighters, homes, jobs, food, medicine and health care for everyone. Why, without these pesky medical marijuana users causing a public nuisance there's really nothing stopping us from being the most super-d-dooper place to live!
Curious
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.
Mr. Davis and others should be aware that patients do not have to go without their "medicine." The law provides for them to grow it themself or to find one of the thousands of caregivers in Michigan that will grow it for them in exchange for reasonable compensation for their materials. That is what the people voted for. Not for businesses to open in full violation of federal and now state law to line their pockets. The term "compassion" has been distorted to the extreme with the passage of the MMMA law. Sorry the money making scheme seems to be over. Just because a business is a non-profit does not mean that the owners aren't making big time money. By the way, how do these places pay federal taxes on a criminal activity anyway?
Loopy
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
Ha! All of a sudden, we're against making money in cash-strapped Michigan. But only when it's something we stick our noses up in the air about because we don't personally need it; we just disapprove of others needing it. No wonder this state is screwed. I guess we should all just sell Amway and insurance to each other.
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:46 a.m.
Very good comment.
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
It's good to see that the law works, and that these people respect and abide the law. Amen.
David Briegel
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
Who knew Ypsilanti was more business friendly? Who knew the leaders of Ypsilanti were more constituent friendly? Will the Mayor or Atty Postema stand before us and tell us they are proud of where they stand? How about you Brian Mackie? I think it is time Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti withdrew from LAWNET. Since my friend worked for LAWNET 35 years ago nothing has changed. They harrass the little guys, the low hanging friut, while ignoring the hard work to get to those higher up the food chain. Unless a bozo falls into their lap they are useless. They get those "hot tips" from an informant and send a Swat Team to bust a senior citizen with a couple plants in her basement! Don't you feel safer? LAWNET is simply a waste of taxpayer dollars! I would think that the fiscal conservatives and the TeaPartiers would feel the same!
Not from around here
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
Atticus F; to quote one of the other posters here.. "Hillarious if not Patheltic" (if you didn't delete the first, you certainly cannot delete the second!)
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 : 4:06 a.m.
So, two things Atticus; If not from around here is entitled to his opinion, am I entitled to mine as well? Or only if it agrees with you and some of the doctors who are willing to write craigslist scripts for MJ. Regarding the medical school crack, how much time did YOU spend there? Does EVERY doctor agree that MJ is good for you? Or do you only listen to the ones that agree with YOUR opinion. So if I agree with the doctors that agree with you, I am right, but if I agree with the ones that disagree with you, I am wrong? Is that how it works? You logic is faulty.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
@Not from around here, you are certainly entitled to your oppinion, as am I. I personally would fear for anybody who came out and publicly critisized LAWNET...They have a history of killing suspects that they are 'investigating', and then claiming that they were "in fear for their lives".
Not from around here
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
also calling a bunch of people cowards who's job it is to protect me and you from behind a moniker seems pretty much like the pot calling the kettle black.
Not from around here
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
uhhh Atticus, the enforcement of the law does not prevent people from getting doctor ordered treatment, they can still grow there own or get it through a licenced care giver. What it does do it prevent the abuse that has came to us since the "dispensaries" cam to town. How about this, allow it to be grown likea crop, tax and graded by the goverment and sold in Licenced Pharmacies like other drugs? No? why? because then the "small" number of recreational users whould have no chance of getting there hands on it. Calling me intolerant because I want the law followed just proves your intentions.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
No Notfromaroundhere, this is about patients having a safe place to get doctor recomended treatment. To deny these people relief because you can't stand the thought of a small handful of people smoking pot recreationlly, goes beyond being intolerant...It's intolerance to the point where people are actually suffering because of your intolerance. As for the "brave officers of LAWNET"...I personally think they are a bunch of cowards with guns. But that's my oppinion. They HAVE killed more unarmed people than they have ever lost though. And that's a fact, not oppinion.
Not from around here
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
And Atticus, this is EXACTLY about craigslist doctors. With the curent law, anyone with a ligit scrip can grow there own, or have a caregiver dso it for them,. The current rash of illegitamate Doctors and for profit MM head shops is causeing the problem. Try getting legalization passed then you have an argument.
Not from around here
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.
more unsubstantated claims by DB. Look, unless you can provide any proof of your statement about swat teams busting a senior citizen with a couple of plants in her basement then you are not telling the truth and trying to miss-lead the public to push your own agenda. I wish annarbor.com wopuld catch these things before they possibly cause someone to act against one of our brave LAWNET officers. And stop with the teaparier diatribe, it isn't amusing anyone.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
eyehearta2, this isn't about craigslist doctors...this is about you trying to deny doctor recomended treatment to cancer patients based on an ignorant stereotype. Also, one should not believe everything they read on craigslist. There are untold nubers of liars and cons trying to rip people off. and for someone to deny treatment to sick people based on some scam you read about on craigslist is sickening.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
I have always been very impressed with the responsiveness of Ypsilanti's government to the will of the people. I've known Ypsilanti is more friendly to businesses than Ann Arbor for years. It is also true that Ypsilanti has problems with things like prostitution and drugs that are more damaging than marijuana. As much as I hate to say it, that might be part of why Ypsilanti is so tolerant. It is hard to get upset about a well kept up marijuana store where everything is out in the open when there are a ton of people just blocks away selling much more dangerous things in a completely unregulated way.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
BTW Atticus, if you want to buy one of these "non-profits", you can get one here: <a href="http://annarbor.craigslist.org/bfs/2554725877.html" rel='nofollow'>http://annarbor.craigslist.org/bfs/2554725877.html</a> The ad promises "big profits", odd for a non-profit. Don't worry about perscriptions. Just send them here: <a href="http://annarbor.craigslist.org/hab/2552957645.html" rel='nofollow'>http://annarbor.craigslist.org/hab/2552957645.html</a>
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
@Atticus; The amount of time I did or didn't spend in medical school has nothing to do with the Craigslist doctors writing bogus perscriptions to anyone that asks for one. You know this, I know this and anybody with half a brain knows this. If you want to vote to legalize it, put it on the ballot as such. If you want to use it as a medicine, treat it as such. No need to sell it out of some snake oil salesmans cart.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.
Thanks for sharing your OPPINION EyeheartA2... And exactly how many years did you spend in medical school? And if you did not go to medical school, what makes you qualified to argue with a doctor?
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1:17 a.m.
@Dairy6 Not sure where you get your data from. Here is some for you to look at until you find a better source: <a href="http://www.city-data.com./city/Ypsilanti-Michigan.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.city-data.com./city/Ypsilanti-Michigan.htm</a> and here: <a href="http://www.city-data.com./city/Ann-Arbor-Michigan.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.city-data.com./city/Ann-Arbor-Michigan.html</a> Where you will discover that Ypsi's crime rate is more than double AAs. Glad to hear about the weather though. I don't have any data in that regard.
dairy6
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 1 a.m.
EyeheartA2 thanks for taking another shot at ypsi. Lived in both happy to be in ypsi. 10 years in yipsi and no problems with prostitutes and late night deliveries. All just ann arbor propaganda. Getting tired of it. Your crime problem is worse than mine so I'm glad I don't live there anymore. also the sun shines more here because were out from under the smug cloud!
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:52 a.m.
"Who knew the leaders of Ypsilanti were more business friendly?" Yes, and they also seem to have more prostitution and late night sunglasses delivery people. Not all business is created equal. "They get those "hot tips" from an informant and send a Swat Team to bust a senior citizen with a couple plants in her basement!" I thought it was a "dispensary". I didn't read anything about an old lady's basement. Can you point it out to me? I must have missed it. If you want to vote to legalize MJ, Go ahead and put it on the ballot. Don't pretend it is for medicinal purposes when it isn't. I voted for the law and had I known it was going to be co-opted like this I probably wouldn't have...or maybe I would have, but it certainly wasn't presented as a bunch of wink, wink, nudge, nudge head shops.
beard
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:59 p.m.
Awww, come on. Give LAWNET a break. At least they didn't shoot anyone this time. No one even died. They might be up to a 40% success rate now.
golfer
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
what i do not understand is this. it was voted in. do they (state) not check with the law to see if it lawful. seems like the cart came befor the horse. oh well that is the government of michigan. dumb!
Roadman
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:27 p.m.
Steve Postema should be agreeing with the Ypsilanti City attorney on this issue.
nowayjose
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:15 p.m.
These stories are so tiresome. Same story different day. How about you post a story when you actually have something to report.
Jimmy McNulty
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 11:36 a.m.
If the duckling story got a foot of play in AA.com, then this story will get a mile.
Tom Joad
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
What's more amazing is that the City of Ann Arbor actually encouraged and condoned the opening of these pot stores when the medical marijuana law in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM provided for them...Whose pockets were being greased down at City Hall in this illegal collusion?
ChunkyPastaSauce
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:29 p.m.
"NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM provided for them" Read actual ruling: <a href="http://sbmblog.typepad.com/files/49588.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://sbmblog.typepad.com/files/49588.pdf</a> Read actual law: <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-27417_51869_52138---,00.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-27417_51869_52138---,00.html</a>