Ann Arbor drug felon facing obstacles to new life as medical marijuana entrepreneur
Fourteen years after being busted for growing seven marijuana plants in his backyard, in the tiny city of Manistique in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, T.J. Rice remains haunted by his past.
He's legally considered a convicted drug felon, a label he says has contributed to his struggles with unemployment and homelessness.
"I had to lie on every job application I ever had afterwards," said Rice, a former insurance salesman who was living out of the Delonis Center as recently as two years ago.
Rice, now 54, appears to be finding his niche.
T.J. Rice sits behind his desk inside a small office in downtown Ann Arbor, where he runs a medical marijuana dispensary called the Ann Arbor Patient-to-Patient Compassion Club. He isn't set up as a walk-in shop, but sees clients by appointment.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
He calls it the Ann Arbor Patient-to-Patient Compassion Club, or A2P2C2. Providing cannabis-based medicine in various forms to those who qualify for it is his business.
Rice, a patient himself, said he doesn't grow marijuana anymore, but rather buys from suppliers around Michigan. Inside his small shop, he sells everything from traditional pot products to cannabis-based energy drinks, caramels and even a roll-on pain reliever gel called "icy pot."
"These are pot shots," he said on a recent afternoon, grabbing a two-ounce bottle from his shelf. "These are vitamin drinks with cannabis right in them. They're pre-mixed with about a half a gram. That's what you're seeing — a lot of entrepreneurship."
But can a convicted drug felon run a marijuana dispensary?
That's a legal question that has Ann Arbor officials — including the city attorney's office — scratching their heads. It's an issue City Council members will have to decide in the coming weeks as part of a new ordinance regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.
Rice has Mayor John Hieftje on his side.
"If someone was convicted back in 1997 for growing a few marijuana plants, I see no reason why that should preclude him from participating in what's now a growing business area today many years later," Hieftje said.
State of conflict
Rice, like many others in the marijuana business, finds himself mired in a legal quagmire of conflicting laws. Marijuana, on the whole, remains an illegal drug under federal law. In Michigan, however, using marijuana for medicinal purposes was legalized by voters in 2008.
Even before that, Ann Arbor voters approved amendments to the city charter in 2004 to allow the use of medical pot — so long as someone has a doctor's note for it.
Until now, Rice has chosen to operate under the rules of the city charter. A cancer survivor with a degenerative spine who lives on Social Security disability, he has more than one doctor's note recommending pot. But he isn't registered with the state.
The state act says drug felons (though not other felons) are prohibited from being caregivers — a term defined as anyone who has agreed to assist with a patient's medical use of marijuana. Whether that extends to dispensary owners is unclear because the state act says nothing about dispensaries — which is why cities are now crafting their own rules.
City Attorney Stephen Postema says it'll be up to the City Council to decide whether to allow certain felons, like those with marijuana convictions, to run dispensaries in Ann Arbor.
"The council's looking at that issue," he said. "There's a catch-22 in that a lot of the advocates who are talking about the dispensaries believe that the operation of dispensaries will take place by patients and caregivers, so therefore it seems the state law would have to be reviewed. Again, that's something that the council has not yet figured out."
Rice doesn't consider himself a caregiver, so he hasn't gone through the state's registry process to become one. And he's only now seeking a registry card to officially become a patient recognized by the Michigan Department of Community Health.
So far, Rice's approach to solely follow the city charter hasn't been challenged in court.
And whether he can continue being a dispensary owner for much longer depends on the City Council. Under the new city ordinance working its way to the City Council for approval, anyone who has been convicted of "any felony" can't obtain a license to run a dispensary.
"If it's a marijuana crime, something maybe you're good at, you can't do it," Rice said. "I think it should read that any violent crime felons should not be allowed to run a dispensary, but those with marijuana convictions should be exempted."
Hieftje said he's open to changing the wording in the spirit of giving a second chance to people like Rice who have already paid their debt to society.
"I think society continues to punish people who have committed a crime even after they do their sentence," Hieftje said. "Here they are 10 or 15 years later, and it's still hard for them to get a job. So that is an issue, and I'm willing to take a look at it."
A second bust
Since opening his business last February, Rice has had one run-in with the law — an incident that remains somewhat hazy.
Ann Arbor police confirmed a story Rice told AnnArbor.com about being "raided" by city police last March. Rice escaped mostly unscathed, legally speaking.
Police Chief Barnett Jones backs away from using the term "raid" to describe what happened. He said police received a 911 call about a strong smell of marijuana coming from Rice's office, which isn't marked as a dispensary, and officers went to knock on his door.
Rice offers several strains of marijuana, including Hindu Kush, Anastasia, Jack's Cleaner, Purple Kush, Purple Haze, and Willie, which is named after songwriter Willie Nelson.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Jones said the officers were allowed inside and discovered about 17 to 19 marijuana plants. He said they seized the plants as evidence after Rice was unable to produce paperwork indicating he could legally operate a dispensary.
Rice maintains a doctor's note should have been enough.
According to Jones, the case was turned over to the Washtenaw County Prosector's Office last year. But there seems to be no record of the case there now.
Steve Hiller, deputy chief assistant prosecutor, ran a search for Rice's case last week and found no record. Even if it didn't move forward, it still should be logged, he acknowledged.
"I don't see that anything has been filed," Hiller said. "There is nothing on our internal computer."
Jones agreed it's odd that Rice was busted almost a year ago and hasn't heard back from authorities since then. Rice still has hard feelings about what happened, especially since his property was seized and he wasn't charged with a crime.
"They left here with about $9,000 worth of medicine. They took my computer. I had 55 patients who were scared to death — they're worried about records," he said. "They put me out of business for six months, literally."
Jones said it's been the approach of the Ann Arbor Police Department to leave medical marijuana dispensaries alone.
"I can tell you unequivocally, the city police have not had any raids of any marijuana dispensaries," he said, noting he didn't consider what happened last March a dispensary raid. "If we have known it was a marijuana dispensary, we have not raided any. That's kind of why we wanted to have some of these places registered so we can know they're in existence."
Rice said the police officers who came to his office seemed surprised when he showed them a copy of the city charter amendment, which states: "No Ann Arbor police officer, or his or her agent, shall complain and the city attorney shall not refer for prosecution any complaint, of the possession, control, use, giving away, sale or cultivation of marijuana or cannabis upon proof that the defendant is recommended by a physician, practitioner or other qualified health professional to use or provide the marijuana or cannabis for medical treatment."
Rice stands behind that law.
"We do have a law and that's why they never pressed charges. If I was illegal, they'd have pressed charges," he said. "I was open for business the next morning. They never came back."
Rice said he's not sure what his future is as a dispensary owner in Ann Arbor, but he knows what's on his agenda for the next two years.
He'll be working on a statewide ballot initiative leading up to November 2012 to fully legalize marijuana in Michigan. He also is raising money to bring back Rainbow Farm, a pro-marijuana campground in Cass County that was home to two annual festivals — HempAid and Roach Roast — until its demise following a deadly police standoff on Sept. 3, 2001.
Rice also is holding out hope that the Ann Arbor City Council will be accommodating to the inevitable rise of the medical marijuana industry.
Hieftje sees dispensaries that follow the rules as a positive addition to Ann Arbor. On top of money the city may collect from licensing fees, he said there's a general economic upside.
"Already we're seeing the benefits in some storefronts that would have been vacant now being occupied," he said. "The people in Michigan have decided this is a direction we should be going in, and they decided this overwhelmingly, especially in Ann Arbor."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Atticus F.
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
Half of the problem with the people who work in the medical MJ field, is that alot of them were criminals before this law went into effect. And all of the greed going on with alot of the dispensaries is related to the fact the the people who are running them are criminally minded ex-criminals. I'm whole heartedly support the medical MJ industry. But I do not support some of the greedy criminal minded people who are involved soley to make money off others who are sick.
Atticus F.
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.
Robert, I've met and dealt with many. I should also mention I'm a care giver for a loved one who's dying of cancer. And I can tell you that the price mark up at these places is borderline criminal. And most of the people I've met seem to be soley interested in money. Of course there are exceptions.
Robert
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:37 a.m.
With what evidence do you pass these judgments? Stories in the media? How many dispensary owners have you met?
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
I am for medical marijuana in all instances, I voted for the top storys on accident because of how the voting button is set up for the record!
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Look at Lowell they have a disp. or something like it, and many other citys and countys have taken steps to implament the bill which was passed 3yrs ago by 63% of Michiganders OVERWHEMINGLY passed law, if you go veiw the law, its like they slapped it togather over night or something there are a whole 2 sections and a bunch of q and as at the bottom? Is Ann Arbor going to be the staging point for more vigalance in enforcing what voters wanted? Because it has too start somewhere, because it is clear our representatives in lansing are just crawling if moving at all, 3yrs 80,000 cards and they cant keep up? 63% of Michigan voters, voted for this bill and we get 2 sections some q and a's at the bottom and thats it? Its like they wanted confusion, I just am befounded by myself this is happened?
tater
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
It appears to me that a lot of people like to scapegoat pot users for their own miserable lives. Pot should have been legalized long ago. The drugs at the pharmacy are far more dangerous than pot, but people are lined up with one-hour waiting lists in most pharmacies in the country. As for the old saw about pot being a "gateway drug," it could only be considered that because since pot is illegal, people who want to use it often have to buy it from the same guy who wants them to try crack or heroin, and says, "the first time's always free." If pot was legal and sold like cigarettes or alchohol, the "gateway" excuse would go out the window.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
sry attic. I agree with you here, imade a mistake and posted wrong, I think your wrong about the disp. because of as was said below in your orig. post sry.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
atic. your wrong look at Lowell? and many other countys, and citys have taken steps and allowed disp. I dont understand were the prob. is here? Their was a OVERWHELMING bill passed 3yrs ago, and our representatives seem to be hardly lifting a finger? why is this seat belt laws were implamented that day, tickets handed out all over? Ben Franklin was a pot smoker nobody told him yeah go ahead but you can only grow for five people or ass. w/5 people? Its like they just threw the bill togather in one night, if you go to the site that has the origanal documentations of the bill it is just fuzzy all over w/ a bunch of q and a at the bottom ? No other bill passed has had ONLY 2 Sections this is a joke we must activate the voter response method and go right to lansing this is were the law needs to be fixed not Ann Arbor!
Atticus F.
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
Tater, I prefer to think of cannabis as an exit drug... Alot of people actually use it to get off of drugs like heroin, crack, and alcohol.
Atticus F.
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
Under michigan state law this peron can not dispense cannabis!!! The dispensaries in operation now have some legal defense, because the law states: "A registered qualified care giver can dispnse cannabis to a registered qualified patient"... The problem for this guy is that he can NOT be a qualified care giver because the law also states "felons are forbidden from being care takers".
Robert
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:35 a.m.
You fail to understand the law Atticus. TJ is not a caregiver. TJ is only registered as a patient. Patients are allowed to transfer marijuana to each other as explicitly detailed by the state law. Patients with felonies are not even addressed in the law... there are no restrictions for them at all.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
atic. your wrong look at Lowell? and many other countys, and citys have taken steps and allowed disp. I dont understand were the prob. is here? Their was a OVERWHELMING bill passed 3yrs ago, and our representatives seem to be hardly lifting a finger? why is this seat belt laws were implamented that day, tickets handed out all over? Ben Franklin was a pot smoker nobody told him yeah go ahead but you can only grow for five people or ass. w/5 people? Its like they just threw the bill togather in one night, if you go to the site that has the origanal documentations of the bill it is just fuzzy all over w/ a bunch of q and a at the bottom ? No other bill passed has had ONLY 2 Sections this is a joke we must activate the voter response method and go right to lansing this is were the law needs to be fixed not Ann Arbor!
ShadowManager
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.
Dealers deal. The law comes second.
Robert
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 7:32 a.m.
No, Atticus isn't right. He fails to understand that the caregiver parts of the law don't apply to TJ in any way shape or form as he is not registered with the state as a caregiver. TJ is a patient and a patient only. Patients are allowed to transfer cannabis to other patients as laid out explicitly in the law. No limits are placed on how many transfers patients can engage in and patients with felonies are not restricted in any way. READ THE LAW!
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Robert is right, he is within the state guidlines and many other towns agree with T.J. and are allowing disp. like lowell, isnt Ann Arbor the the city that has it so it is only a cival infraction if you get caught with Marijuana? So whats the big problem? I mean is this going to be the staging ground for repremanding the law? why was this not done when 63% of Michigan voted for the bill? What is the deal we voted for the bill now people can basically kick and scream and cry untill they get their way or change peoples minds or something? Most people aganst this bill have no bases with their argument, its like your trying to change minds or something it passed we want weed over morphine get over it!
ShadowManager
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
See the post below mine. atticus is right...This man is a convicted felon and also patient and by law cannot legally deal(scratch that...lol) "dispense"...cannabis as a caregiver. Case closed.
Robert
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
Good thing TJ is within the confines of the law then huh?
suzanne
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.
This man deserves to be able to earn an income at something he is good at. What he is doing is NOT illegal. If a convicted felon should never have any rights then, what do you think we should do with them? If we do not allow them to find a way to support themselves it is only a burden on the tax payers. Marijuana should be legalized completely, for the fact that we have more marijuana convicted people in our jails and prisons then we know what to do with, which we ALL pay for. It is sad that penalties or harsher for them then child molesters. Alcohol is legal, and bars are full everyday and night and that is ok??? Alcohol is far more damaging to the person consuming it and everyone around them, how many stoners have beaten their wives or went on violent rages. Vicodin and all other NARCOTIC perscription pills are legal, they are addictive and harmful, but they are ok. This man and anyone else in his situation should be able to earn a living, his crime hurt noone, he paid his debt and it is now legal, so hold him back? BTW as for all the comments about the constitution, did you know that it used to be in the constitution that you had the right to get high, it was am mended I think in the 1960's, or that the constitution was written on hemp paper, or that many of our four fathers used marijuana, so I guess our country was founded by a bunch of no good stoners, in some peoples opinion.
G. Orwell
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
The man has done his time. Let him be.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.
Stunhsif wrote: "Countless studies that indicate dope is a 'gateway' drug to harder drugs." Since there are "countless" such studies, might you cite . . . oh . . . say 10 such studies? Should be easy to find. And while you're digging for those, here are articles and studies that say this is myth: <a href="http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/29/marijuna-as-a-gateway-drug-the-myth-that-will-not-die/" rel='nofollow'>http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/29/marijuna-as-a-gateway-drug-the-myth-that-will-not-die/</a> <a href="http://scienceblog.com/12116/study-says-marijuana-no-gateway-drug/" rel='nofollow'>http://scienceblog.com/12116/study-says-marijuana-no-gateway-drug/</a> <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20015429-10391704.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20015429-10391704.html</a> <a href="http://www.drugscience.org/sfu/sfu_gateway.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.drugscience.org/sfu/sfu_gateway.html</a> <a href="http://current.com/news/90623054_studies-show-marijuana-is-not-a-gateway-drug.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://current.com/news/90623054_studies-show-marijuana-is-not-a-gateway-drug.htm</a> <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol20/vol20_iss10/record2010.24.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol20/vol20_iss10/record2010.24.html</a> (the link above is to a study that finds marijuana to BE a gateway drug, as it does alcohol and cigarettes. If one is concerned about marijuana as a "gateway drug", should they not be concerned about the others, as well?) <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100902073507.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100902073507.htm</a> <a href="http://www.jstor.org/pss/40325834" rel='nofollow'>http://www.jstor.org/pss/40325834</a> Good Night and Good Luck
cannnabis4health
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
What has been proven is that marijuana is the gateway to prison, lost employment, lost of family, and lost of pride. Many people are not aware of the plants history. These losses are not because of the plant, but because of the historical racial origin behind its illegalizing. Now days, a person's financial standing has more to do with sentencing than anything else.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 2:13 a.m.
And here's a Rand study: <a href="http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20020048.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20020048.html</a> The Rand Corporation is not exactly a "liberal" think-tank. Good Night and Good Luck
Robert
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 12:05 a.m.
55 patients is not too many. There is no limit to the number of patients that another patient can sell medicine to. The law states that patients cannot be prosecuted for medical use of marijuana. The law defines medical use here: "Medical use" means the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marihuana to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition. As long as it's one patient to another and it does not exceed 2.5 ounces it is explicitly legal.
Nephilim
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.
So let me ask you all this then.....based on what I am hearing, you all would have no problem if all the police officers went and got their medical marijuana cards since there is not a cop I know that doesn't have back problems from lugging a 32 pound gun belt around their waists for the past 10+ years and started smoking and growing their own weed while they are still employed with their respective agencies. Further then, you all have no issues with cops opening their own dispensaries in the interest in helping all these ailing individuals in need of cannabis. Very interested in your thoughts on this......
Deborah
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 5:39 a.m.
The cops in the Netherlands are allowed to do so and the crime rate there puts this country to shame. I would have no problem what so ever. Many of them do imbibe as they are NOT DRUG TESTED except for cause and it better a damn good cause too!
suzanne
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 2:43 a.m.
How many cops have a beer when they get off work???? There are "cop bars" how do they get home? How many cops take vicodin or other NARCOTIC persciption drugs????? I would rather a police officer, use marijuana for his/her pain than the drugs that are addictive, and harmful to the body in so many ways. If they are not on the job, what medicine they take in their free time is not my concern.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.
No, I would have no issue with a practicing LEO using cannabis as pain relief in the comfort of their own home when not on duty. Why would that be any of my business? It would not affect me or anyone else in the slightest. Your other question is a moot point... no active cop has time to run a dispensary.
snapshot
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
as long as they continue to do their job, why would you care? Is it a question of moral control or job performance?
Dalex64
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.
If they're not high on the job, then what's the problem?
Wayne Koper
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
Join MINORML and support ending prohibition of cannabis for all!!!!!!!
applehazar
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
i stand corrected Michian is one of 17 states that allow convicted felons vote - i do not agree but i do stand corrected - felons have rights in michigan - this does not change my position of a marijuna sales faciloty for a convcted felon - I still say no - if you want to sell marajuna - change federal law - not before - but after
snapshot
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
Making laws that make criminals out of good citizens is not justice, it's a method to control what one group considers to be moral. Burning witches never helped anybody.
applehazar
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
Rice is an admitted felon - done deal - if you want to change the US bill of rights - this is not the venue - ann arbor.com - well done - at least you spurned discussion - i for one like to live in the USA - and i believe in the constitution - it serves us well for over 250 years.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
I don't think you've ever read the bill of rights or the constitution. It doesn't mention any of the things you're talking about.
snapshot
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
I don't remember any part of the constitution mentioning felons and I've read it several times. Enlighten me.
cannnabis4health
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
This is a very well written article. Unlike stories that aim for a negative slant, this one is well rounded. I would like for any MI police department to name one person how was able to produce paperwork stating that that could legally operate a dispensary. Since there is acknowledgment, but no file, it's safe to say Rice was ripped off. Will A2PD reimburse him for those "removed plants"? "If we have known it was a marijuana dispensary, we have not raided any. In other words Mr. Jones, you raided a dispensary, but the excuse is that you didn't know you were raiding a dispensary. Even is A2 decides that felons cannot own, as a patient (under State law) Rice can still operate. Craig Lounsbury - 55 would have been too many patients if Rice was the caregiver. As a patient, one can transfer to any number of other patients.
applehazar
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
in our society which we voted on - once a felon - always a felon - felons have no rights - cannot vote etc - in a democratic society - that is the way it is - if he wishes to open a facility he should have not committed a felony - too bad - suffer forever - 10 years 15 years - 100 years - still a felon - this is a mute point and does not warrent discussion - if you want to change the constitution - there is other venues.
Robert
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
Matt Cooper: This is a Michigan story. Try to keep it in context. Cannabis4health was correct. Having a felony doesn't prevent you from voting in Michigan.
Matt Cooper
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
Actually, cannnabis, you are quite wrong. In both Kentucky and Virginia, once convicted of a felony you lose the right to vote forever. In certain states (AL, AZ, DE, FL, MS, NV, TN and WY) some felons are prohibited from voting depending on their type of felony conviction. In still other states only parolees and probationers are permitted to vote. This is what is legally known as "felony disenfranchisement". Look it up.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
Where in the constitution does it say anything you just stated in your post?
cannnabis4health
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
Having a felony on your record does not make you unable to vote. And it is possible to have a felony removed from ones record.
runbum03
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9 p.m.
Does Mayor John Hieftje know pot triggers psychosis is some young men? The Arizona shooter was a heavy pot smoker. The word 'assassin' is even derived from the Arabic word for "hash." This so-called medical pot law is a bill of goods, meant only as a step to full legalization of dope. I guess if one is hit in a car driven by a stoner in Ann Arbor, he can sue the Mayor and the city for allowing the accident to happen. In any case, there is no need to sell pot. There are THC containing pills for those who might need the anti-nausea effects of THC. The so-called medical pot is simply a farce, another scheme by Liberals and progressive to free man's mind of reason and think like a Liberal.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
PSYCHOSIS? Anything can trigger such an illness what a joke! Yet it is ok to drink alchohol, which has caused millions to die, how many people smoked to much weed and died? This state OVERWHEMINGLY passed this law, and people like you are just stalling the fact Michiganders are not stupid. Good luck with a fight that is baseless, and bios.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
Another cosevative veiw point weed is so bad, yet you allow alchohol, if its so bad how come noone has ever died from overdose? You are so misinformed. 63% of all Michiganders think your wrong as well, were passed the hole it so bad its a gateway drug, yet doctors hand out morphine vicodin, which really do cause many problems. The people have spoken OVERWHEMINGLY, if you dont like the fact you can legally get high, when carrying a card, maybe you should move to a state thats totally aganst it.
snapshot
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
Next time you're sick go see an attorney and get a legal opinion. By your standards, why do we need different drugs when one size fits all as far as you're concerned. If the THC pill doesn['t work maybe we can sue you for the infliction of unecessary pain and suffering.
Wayne Koper
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 10:21 p.m.
Went to see Kid Rock in Saginaw Friday. Saginaw County's finest supervising beer sales to drunkards before sending them out the door to drive home. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!
Deborah
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 10:04 p.m.
Why if it isn't sage of the page of Mlive fame! will wonders never cease. Marinol, and yo u know this is a synthetic analog of ONE of the medically valuable constituents of the cannabis plant. IT IS USELESS as medicine. Its primary purpose was and is for RESEARCH. a False research no less. There are thousands of studies authorized by the DEA using this substance that are a complete waste of resources. Medical Cannabis confuses western science and its apologists as they believe that only one substance works one problem. Yet these same people will prescribe 5 different pills (here is a classic Pain management concoction, Vicodin, valium, ibuprofen, xanax and omeprazole. ALL to get the same effect that cannabis can give with one or two puffs. Cannabis is an analgesic, muscle relaxant and vaso-dilator and has anxyolitic effects for most patients. If one had an accident anywhere it would be problematic to say let alone prove that it was a result of some one over medicated or "under the influence" person. Your expansion and exposition of these tired arguments is tedious but thank you for the opportunity to practice. Now do some research or go back to Mlive. They will not tolerate your style for long at this site.
cannnabis4health
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
runbum03 states that there are THC containing pills for those who might need the anti-nausea effects of THC. I have to ask, other than because a man's mind has been free of reason, why would one take a THC pill to counter the effects of THC? What am I missing here?
Tom Joad
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
No where in the Michigan Medical Marijuana law does it say someone can operate a dispensary to deal weed. The California model of distribution is not legal here.
Deborah
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 5:28 a.m.
Robert you describe a Negative Law country. China is a good example of one but so is France and to a lesser extent the EU
snapshot
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
No where does the law say they can't, so why isn't it legal? We can't make up law which it appears you are attempting.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
No where in Michigan law does it say everything not explicitly declared legal is automatically illegal.
Deborah
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
this is a positive law country. The MMMA authorizes patient to patient transfers and its silence on the subject of dispensaries is proof that they are LEGAL as they engage in private brokered patient to patient transfers and are thus LEGAL. The only people who do not like this law or who oppose a rational drug policy are the people whose economic existence is threatened by an end to our current draconian military response to a public health issue.
Mick52
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
Sure, what's the problem? While we are at it, we will agree to let embezzlers take positions as treasurers and work as cashiers. And child molesters will be able to work in child care centers. What's the problem?
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
Great arguement snapshot, people just want to argue for no reason we passed the bill now way is it taking so long to implament, giving the small voice of disaproval the chance to brainwash people into the hole weed is sooooo bad gateway to hell it is so horibal! What a joke
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
awww are you mad 63% of Michiganders don't care what you think?
snapshot
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:48 p.m.
So someone using a prescribed pharmeceutical could not be a pharmicist, doctor, nurse, etc.? Your arguement is seriously flawed and incorporates common scare tactics that are completely out of context of the original problem and it's solutions. Not a rational approach to problem solving but a strategy to create a much bigger problem as to make it unmanageble.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:47 p.m.
Embezzlement is illegal and hurts businesses. Child molestation is illegal and hurts children. Medical marijuana is legal and hurts......? By the way... your analogies don't work. Embezzlers steal money... treasurers keep it safe and accounted for. Child molesters harm children... child care workers keep them safe. Illegal marijuana growers cultivate pot... Keeping with your analogy the appropriate job would be law enforcement officer.
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
For those of you who haven't been closely following this issue, I'll remind you that while the question now before council is whether felons should be precluded from owning or operating dispensaries in Ann Arbor, up until a few weeks ago the proposed licensing ordinance also included misdemeanor convictions for controlled substances as a reason for rejecting an application for a dispensary license. The City Council removed the misdemeanor portion at its meeting on Jan. 3.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.
He is a felon for growing weed, which 63% of Michiganders approved now you want to say he still cant grow? Are you kidding me, what is wrong with you people, when seat belt laws were passed people got tickets that day? Why is this laws so hard for weed haters to get over, you lost people that are sick can smoke to medicate, 63% of Michigan agrees you have no bases to fight from!
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
A felon for the same offense he is granted to proform? He is sick, the doctor said he gets a card, what because he grew medicine7yrs ago he should not be allowed to medicate himself? Yeah felons should not be excempt from weed period it is silly and goes aganst the LAW that was passed!
Stan Hyne
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
I am against marijuana use. I am against use of it as a medicine. The vote was to approve use of the drug under some conditions. So be it. I am against the police taking something and not returning it, or following the case to some sort of a conclusion. It would seem the man should be prosecuted or made whole.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
So what if your aganst it 63% of Michiganders disagree, Marijuana is far better than traditional doctor methods for pain like vicodin, morphine on and on these drugs lead to problems and you can overdose from drugs like this and even alchohol, yet no person has died from marijauna overdose and it does not impair the ability to drive, yet uninformed people like you, that are willing to prosocute a man for following the laws, what a hipocrit.
snapshot
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : midnight
Are you a doctor? Why would you impose your uneducated beliefs upon the treatment techniques used by a medically trained professional on a patient whose pain and suffering is relieved by such treatment? Why would you purposely want to deny someone relief through properly diagnosed treatment? Do you feel this way about any other drugs on the market and promoted via television commercials, pharmeceutical lobbyists (9 to each of the 50 US Senators)?
Hunterjim
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
I question why this is the front page article in the Sunday News. A convicted felon who by his own admission continues to violate the law. Poor decision by Ann Arbor .com to give him this type of press.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 7:57 p.m.
What a joke see people have no idea what is happening around them, it is not aganst the law! 63% of michigan thinks your wrong we passed a bill that has had little action on its own people, most are simply in denial, Marijuana is a good thing better than what most doctors feed us, and some just dont care or dont even want to hear it, Whats the sence in passing a law and voting if people dont even know whats happening?
snapshot
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
I say it's an important issue to deny someone an opportunity to make a living or receive a recognized treatment prescribed by a licensed and trained medical professional. Laws are meant to protect the citizens from harm and discrimination. It seems you thinks they should be used to encourage the same.
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
We felt Mr. Rice's story was a good way to illustrate a real issue the City Council is faced with right now, which is the question of whether someone who has been convicted of a marijuana crime in the past should be precluded from taking part in the medical marijuana industry today. Hopefully this story has furthered the discussion around that question.
AA
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
I swear, why do we persist in criminalizing cannibus. We are a nation of hypocrites. One set of rules for the 'real' drug makers and another for garden plant growers. Get over yourself people. Is milk the gateway liquid to alcohol? C'mon, wake-up everyone.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
"Countless studies that indicate dope is a "gateway" drug to harder drugs." Then perhaps you might cite 10 such studies? Ought to be easy since there are "countless" such studies. Should be a simple Google search. Good Night and Good Luck
stunhsif
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
ridiculous statement. Countless studies that indicate dope is a "gateway" drug to harder drugs. I predict there will be a much higher incidence of auto related deaths caused by stoners "drivering under the influence".
DonBee
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
If you break the law for any reason and commit a felony, what is the assurance that you will not do it again? Mr. Rice has done his time, the question is, can you trust him? If the law says 5 and he has 55 patients, then maybe you can't. I have no proof one way or another. As to Marijuana, go ahead and make it legal, tax the daylights out of it and keep on going. We need the taxes. Let's legalize 24 hour bars, party drugs, prostitution and all the other victimless crimes that do no one any harm at all. Tax money could go to education. After all victimless crimes hurt no one at all right? Let's make it legal and tax it all. After all more important to ban couches, toys in fast food meals, smoking (except pot) and large hamburgers. The laws in this state are a mess, and liberals and conservatives have platforms that logically make zero sense. Maybe it is time to rewrite the state criminal code?
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Great post sir. you bring up some great issues, unfortunently a few people seem to have some control over our representatives this bill was passed 3yrs ago by 63% of Michiganders, yet we are fumbling around with it people are having to wait for cards ext. how can this be, it like they never put forth any real resources on a bill that passed by 63% I'm just befounded, because seat belt tickets were handed out the same day the seat belt law went into effect, what is going on in lansing its like their afraid to accomidate its voters or something!
stunhsif
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
good post DonBee, is there such a thing as "victimless crime" ?
walker101
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
He's legally considered a convicted drug felon, Ok today he is a businessman selling drugs, a label he says has contributed to his struggles with unemployment and homelessness. He claims he lied on job applications, if that were the case was he employed? Doesn't make sense, sounds that he would rather be smoking and selling his pot under a disguise as a legal businessperson.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
Well it seems thats the way lansing wants it thats why, 63% of michigan voted for this law and the representatives are fumbling around like they dont know how to pass bills? Your saying leagally hes considered a drug felon so the laws we passed have no meaning? It sounds like your aganst the bill sorry about your problems Michigan didnt agree with you.
annarbor28
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
"A cancer survivor with a degenerative spine who lives on Social Security disability, he has more than one doctor's note recommending pot. But he isn't registered with the state." If he develops a thriving business, does he still qualify for Social Security disability, since he is now able to work?
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
I think he should not be allowed to draw benefits and still sell his product, great point this is, if he was just growing for himself yes he should still draw, but he has a business that is probibly going to take right off so no, once he gets going I do not think he should get benefits.
HeavyMental
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
How is this any different than if someone with a bad driving record not being able to get a job in the transportation field? Some past mistakes really do close the door on future opportunities.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
Are you kidding?
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
Someone with a bad driving record has proven that they present a danger to other motorists. Traffic laws are in place to protect everyone, they're well founded with traffic research and they're not going to change drastically anytime soon. On the other hand, marijuana laws aren't founded in reason. The first ones were based in fear, racism and business interests. As more and more light is shined on these illogical laws they're being rewritten. It's reasonable to use the bad driver's record to keep them from driving professionally... You have no reassurance that they won't continue to drive dangerously... something that is still against the law. It's not reasonable to do the same thing if the laws have changed. TJ is already legally permitted to do what got him arrested 14 years prior. Why should he be punished again and prevented from pursuing his legal business because of illogical laws that no longer apply to him?
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
Robert, don't trouble these citizens with facts. Reefer Madness is their mantra. The only beneficiaries of the status quo are the failed War on Drugs Industial Complex, the Prison Industrial Complex and the Big Pharma Drug Pushers Industrial Complex. The loser is our budget and our society in general, one victim at a time ! America could never do worse than the status quo.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
I truely beleive your point is right on the money with over 63% of Michiganders voting for this bill, it has taken 3yrs, 80,000 aplicants are still waiting to here from lansing probibly. Why? When other bills pass like the seat belt law it went into effect that day, tickets handed out all over that day? And with 63%, the representatives cant say we didnt know it was going to be such a turnout, they should have been prepared for a lot of aps., and why is the law so fuzzy? We voted and the rep. just seem to be stalling on every occasion, do we need to march?
Stephen Landes
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
When this fellow says that his goal for the next two years is to fully legalize marijuana in Michigan you finally see what this is all about: dope peddlers are using those who truly believe in marijuana as a pain medication for their real purpose which is making this drug legal. Rice is a convicted felon with a plan to legalize this drug and he has no business running a pharmacy.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
The drug war is a war on people of color specifically. Despite the fact that there are 5x as many white drug users, black drug users are 10x as likely to be incarcerated for their use. Check out the FBI and DOJ's statistics on drug enforcement and then take a look at some of the research on the subject. drugwarfacts dot com and drugpolicy dot org are good websites to start with. Their addictions remain the same or become worse in incarceration. People do not get well in prison. One reason is that they continue to use there. Our prisons are not drug-free zones. Another is that they do not receive the support and mental health treatment they desperately need in prison. Why would you expect an addict to become free of the drug in prison? I think you're confusing sobriety with recovery. They may run out of drugs and detox, but getting the drug out of their system isn't the same as kicking the addiction. What do you suppose will happen when they get out? Addiction is not a crime. Addiction is a disease and it needs to be treated that way to improve.
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.
Please explain what the problem would be with legalizing marijuana. The current prohibition costs us millions of dollars a year, makes it easier for kids to get the drug, causes violence and corruption in Mexico, fills jail cells that should be used to house violent thugs, places an undue burden on people of color, etc. Drug prohibition has absolutely no value. It hasn't worked and won't work. We know what does work... we've done it with alcohol and tobacco. Legalization, taxation and regulation... it provides revenue, makes it harder for kids to get drugs, kills the black market for the drug, frees up jail space for murderers and rapists, and most importantly it allows for addicts to get the help they need... instead of being put into the justice system where their addiction will only get worse.
stunhsif
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.
Legalizing dope is a huge mistake. Issues with homelessness and unemployment were more likely caused by living one's life in a complete fog or stupor. Also rather hard to get a job when you cannot pass a drug test.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
sorry we already had a vote and 63% of Michiganders think your wrong, your misinformation on the effects, are sickining you have no idea what your talking about, even if the 300 doctors that support the drug sat their and told you it was medicine, you would walk out the door and call it dope, I'm sorry your fight is over and we won by 63% OVERWHEMINGLY passed, so stop trying to scare people with your dope references, the days of lies are done!
Soothslayer
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
nah man its all groovy n stuff.. wait, what were we talkin about? As if America didn't have enough problems falling behind in the world. All herald the age of apathy & stickin it to teh man.
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
This is front page news because our Christian "values" preclude redemtion !
cinnabar7071
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
Whats the law say about a felon running a regular pharmacy? This should be no different.
cannnabis4health
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
Tell us, what does the law say. By the way, there are no scribts involed here.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
hmmm lets see doctors hand out perscribtions of methadone morphine and vicodin all of which you can die from if you take to many. NO ONE HAS EVER EVER DIED FROM A MARIJAUNA OD. NOT EVER so really your remark is biased in the fact that they are not even close to the same thing period. so get over it 63% of Michiganders passed a bill to protect this man, you lost move on. Next step is total legalization its coming in my life time, you allow alchohol which you can o.d. on but you cant get over weed, it is a joke!
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
""They left here with about $9,000 worth of medicine. They took my computer. I had 55 patients " Thats 50 patients too many under the law.
cannnabis4health
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
Did this piece not say that Rice was within the Ann Arbor city charter, which states: "No Ann Arbor police officer, or his or her agent, shall complain and the city attorney shall not refer for prosecution any complaint, of the possession, control, use, giving away, sale or cultivation of marijuana or cannabis upon proof that the defendant is recommended by a physician, practitioner or other qualified health professional to use or provide the marijuana or cannabis for medical treatment." IF Rice were a caregiver, he could provide for thhe 5 who assigned him. As a patient (you don't have to be carded by the state to be a patient), you can transfer to any and all patients.
George
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
Right on the money Robert!
Robert
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Are you purposefully ignoring the facts Craig? In my previous reply I've already explained that TJ can dispense mmj as a patient. What don't you understand about that?
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
"Rice does not consider himself a caregiver. He's providing the product as a dispensary owner" The law doesn't provide for "dispensary owners" at all.
Nephilim
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 3 p.m.
Which again means he cannot dispense it to anyone. He's not a registered caregiver and even if he was he would be limited to 5 patients. This is exactly the reason why these people have run-ins with the law. They don't do it legally and get busted. There only recourse is to whine and cry about how they got mistreated. Give me a break....he's not in it to help people. He's in it for the cash....
Robert
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
As a patient Rice can sell marijuana to as many other patients as he chooses under the law. His dispensary is called Patient to Patient for a reason. Here are the relevant sections of the law... "A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act" ""Medical use" means the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marihuana to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition."
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.
The state law does say a registered primary caregiver may assist up to five qualifying patients with their medical use of marijuana. However, as stated in the story, Rice does not consider himself a caregiver. He's providing the product as a dispensary owner, but not directly assisting in its use.
Dave Katz
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
Just wondering, once something is de-criminalized, what scrutiny are former offenders held under? But once again, we're talking about the state here. As in legalized gambling, they don't want any old crooks involved, preferring fresh ones instead.
Steve Hendel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
The Mayor is quoted as saying: "I think society continues to punish people who have committed a crime even after they do their sentence," Hieftje said. "Here they are 10 or 15 years later, and it's still hard for them to get a job. So that is an issue, and I'm willing to take a look at it." So, would you apply that same principle to, say, sex offenders, and let the registration requirement (now a lifetime requirement) lapse after x years?
Steve Hendel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
The Mayor states (or implies, anyway) a principle; that once you have done your sentence, that should be the end of your punishment (or at least there should a limit on any post-sentence restrictions). I was just asking if he realized the implications of that statement. Remember, the category "sex offender" Includes everything from consensual sex between an 18 year old man and a woman one day under the age of consent to out-and-out forcible rape by one adult on another.
BSEGALZ
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
Comparing sexual offenders to people who have been convicted of marijuana crimes is a huge stretch especially considering marijuana is a victimless crime, whereas sexual assault is a little more serious considering the nature of the crime in the eyes of the Criminal Justice System and society in general.
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
You would really compare these two items? Is that because you believe in redemption?