From gas station to Grass Station: Marijuana dispensary in Ann Arbor fighting uphill battle
Husband and wife Garth and Leslie Bolgos stand in front of their marijuana dispensary at 325 W. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor. The business used to be a gas station but now goes by the name Grass Station.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"It was a gas station for 20 years," Bolgos said. "My partner and I ran it since 1990 and finally we had to close her down due to the economic situation."
He spent two years trying to sell the place with no luck. Eventually an old friend from high school who suffers from multiple sclerosis proposed an idea.
"He suggested that I open up a dispensary because he had no place to get his medication," Bolgos said. "And that's what spurred me on to open it up as a medical dispensary."
And so the small building at 325 W. Liberty St. went from gas station to Grass Station — the name Bolgos and his wife, Leslie, picked for their new medical marijuana operation.
But opening for business has been an uphill battle for the mom-and-pop shop. The city has pushed back, arguing the dispensary wasn't open before an August 2010 moratorium on new dispensaries was put in place by the Ann Arbor City Council.
The city's citizen-led medical marijuana licensing board is recommending the council grant the Grass Station a dispensary license anyway. But until that happens — it could be several more months — Bolgos and his wife are afraid to open for business.
The Grass Station will serve as a drive-thru signature station through early July for Repeal Today's campaign to legalize marijuana in Michigan.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
But he isn't completely shut down.
As Bolgos and his wife fight to open a dispensary, they're making use of the Grass Station as a hub for the statewide push to legalize marijuana for people 21 and older.
They held a signature drive at the shop last week and said the Grass Station will serve as a drive-thru signature station for the campaign from now through early July. The campaign also will be out collecting signatures at Saturday's Hash Bash in Ann Arbor.
Bolgos and his wife, as well as his mother-in-law, are state-registered medical marijuana caregivers, and they each have patients they serve. But they're not able to open the retail-style dispensary they want because of the pushback they've received from the city.
"On the Grass Station, they couldn't open up because they're post-moratorium under our own ordinance," said City Attorney Stephen Postema. "And it's not clear they've provided anything to show that they would be compliant with our licensing ordinance. Either way, they've got to go through the procedure, so that's the position they're in right now."
Dispensary or no dispensary, Bolgos wants to revamp the aging building, which has fallen into a state of disrepair. But he said the city won't let him.
"The city has its heels dug in, at least the city attorney," Bolgos said. "They've been doing their due diligence for the last year and a half, two years, and I've been very patient. I put in for my building permit and they won't release the building permit until they decide what they're going to do with the dispensary, so here I sit in limbo and that's about it."
Bolgos' wife, Leslie, is just as frustrated.
"I am the part owner of the building, the property itself, and a partner in the dispensary," she said. "My husband has had this piece of property for about 25 years now. We're trying to do something beneficial to the community and do something worthwhile with our property.
"We're fighting to keep this property," she added. "We are literally dying on the vine here waiting for the City Council to let us go ahead with what we want to do with this."
In addition to the Grass Station, nine other dispensaries are awaiting licenses from the city, but most of them are open for business right now because they were up and running before the moratorium hit. The city determined the Grass Station was not open in time.
An ordinance approved by the City Council last year in the spirit of allowing access to medical marijuana in Ann Arbor states dispensaries can continue to operate pending final action on their applications unless a building official determines they must be closed for safety reasons.
There are differing interpretations of that, though, and the city attorney believes it applies only to dispensaries that already have been determined to be compliant with state law.
Stephen Postema
Postema believes the dispensaries can't be licensed until his office determines they comply with state law, and he believes any dispensary with a sale model violates state law.
"The courts have said, for instance, you can't sell," Postema said. "And so if they're selling, you can't do that. It's just as simple as that."
Members of the city's medical marijuana licensing board and at least one council member disagree with the city attorney and are urging him to back off.
Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward, said she's had long discussions with Postema about dispensaries. The way she sees it, the city attorney is arguing that dispensaries, simply by existing, don't comply with state law and thus can't be licensed.
She said the Grass Station is in a particularly peculiar position. If its owners took the risk of opening for business, Briere said, "it would be a real risk."
Alternative to medicine
More than 322,600 signatures from registered voters in Michigan are needed to put the legalization question on the November ballot.
With fewer than 100 days to go before the deadline, the Repeal Today campaign reports it has collected about 12,000 signatures since January.
"We have 2,500-plus volunteers and the number is growing quickly, so we're ready to turn them on," said Ryan Munevar, one of the campaign's behind-the-scenes leaders.
Munevar set up a campaign office on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. He calls it the brains of the entire statewide operation and said efforts are under way throughout the state.
"The primary goal from the start of this was to get as many volunteers as possible to build an infrastructure for the future," Munevar said, noting organizers weren't sure early on if they'd actually collect enough signatures to put the question on the ballot this year.
"Right now we have just our own patients," Bolgos said. "We don't have any from the public because we had a cease and desist letter from the city attorney."
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
If the effort falls short this year, Munevar said, there at least will be a strong volunteer base to give it another push in a future election.
Campaign organizers are hoping to collect thousands of signatures at this Saturday's Hash Bash, which starts at noon on the University of Michigan Diag and is followed by the Monroe Street Fair.
For the first time in 41 years of Hash Bash, organizers of the festival say they're proud to have a real legalization effort in full swing. They say the ballot question is a direct response to the interference by state officials to implement Michigan's Medical Marihuana Act, as well as increasing legal actions against state-registered patients and caregivers.
"Hash Bash is just an event that happens here and that's pretty much independent of us, but we have some people over there who will speak on our behalf," Munevar said. "And all the other events around all 83 counties, they're happening."
Jackson County resident Steve Sharpe paid the Grass Station a visit during last week's signature drive and said he's going to fight hard to put the question on the ballot.
Sharpe sings the praises of medical marijuana, saying he cured his colon cancer two years ago thanks to cannabis oil. He said he makes his own cannabis chocolates.
"The doctors watched it," he said. "There was no chemo, no drugs, no nothing except cannabis oil. It was 28 days of a gram of oil a day. I'm a believer now and my doctor's office is a believer, and the more people I talk to, they're becoming believers."
That's the kind of story Garth and Leslie Bolgos want to hear more of once they get the Grass Station going. But for now, they're limited in what they can do.
"All these other dispensaries are up and running and we're just waiting for them to give us the approval," Leslie Bolgos said. "We're Ann Arborites and we just need support."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
15crown00
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
bet it don't cost $4.00 a gallon.
Steven Sharpe
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
Use your search engine and put in a disease and then Cannabis after it. You may be very surprised about the outcome and learn something new or old.
Goofus
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
I'm impressed by the trained professionalism and keen medical expertise of all these local individuals opening these dispensaries in old gas stations and abandoned storefronts.
G-Man
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
They've got their American flag hanging backwards in the window!
Lallei
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
It's a military distress signal. When the flag is displayed incorrectly, i.e. upside down, backwards, etc. that the camp is in distress. Our camp is definitely in distress- and in need of help as 300,000 signatures are needed by July to repeal the prohibition! G.B.
Marvin Face
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 3:57 a.m.
Dude. Where's my car?
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 3:23 a.m.
They're all in bed together, and it is, what it is. There are people in this country who are addicted to power, and some say that these people know how to handle others, and be tough. This is what he is paid to do. They don't care of the will of the vote, to them it's a craps shoot, and should be treated as is as long as they have their strong religious beliefs. Just because the ancient religious founders used fear to command and demand obedience over much of the known world. The vote is the Law, and we make it, that's what we do in this country. No one should be able too deny what the law and the voice of the people have made. I guess if you don't like the law, then you can just do what you want here, make up your own law as you see fit, but if that the case then Hutaree just might be onto something here. Maybe Postema Needs some palm grease, if you know what i mean, I mean that's how regular business is served up in this country, right? There's no grease coming for them, so why do what the people voted for anyway.
Steve McQueen
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 9:50 p.m.
Out here in CA, the med pot dispensaries dont have stupid names like "the Grass Station"....they are low key and fit right in to the community. It seems that these AA dispensaries have a lot to learn in terms of fitting in and providing a needed service vs. making a mockery of a legitimate health care option.
shadow wilson
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
very good point...
Stephanie Roose
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
Legalize. Regulate. Tax.
Chicagobob
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
After all these years it may finally be time to grow up and move on from the 1960s and 1970s.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
I totally agree. Let's stop this whole "lets keep marijuana illegal because we don't like hippies" mentality that is a carryover from the 60's and 70's. This is the 21st century for goodness sakes and it is time that we stopped limiting people's personal freedom because we don't like how they dress or wear their hair or vote or whatever.
Tom Joad
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.
Marijuana dispensaries are not allowed in Michigan or Federal law, period. It's a legal fiction that the cities have adopted to earn tax revenue from selling dope. The Appeals Court has already ruled that they are illegal to operate yet Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti refuse to follow the court's orders. These dispensaries sell weed at $20 a gram (over $400/oz). You are not allowed the MMMA to profit by selling marijuana. They call it donations, but their prices are clearly labeled on many medical marijuana finder websites, including a whole menu of candy and edibles laced with THC.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
You are absolutely correct though that it is time to change the Michigan and Federal laws in order to allow the legal use of marijuana. That would solve all of these problems.
David Cahill
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
Hey "Tom", the Court of Appeals only banned one business model for dispensaries, not all dispensaries. Also, last week the Michigan Supreme Court accepted an appeal in that case. So the decision in State v McQueen is up in the air.
pete
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.
what would Fred think about this???
lindsay erin
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
"Grass station," because, like, you're talking about marijuana, right? OMG...I GET IT. The joke was so high brow that I had a hard time understanding it. ... :)
TooT
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
The Grass Station...???? LOL this sounds like some head shop back in the early 70'S. Just a bunch of pot heads trying to get it legalized using medicinal purposes as an excuse.
Chicagobob
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 6:45 p.m.
You're right. Maybe it's time for some folks to move on from the 70s!
wolfman jack
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
I say again : "medical" => pharmacy. I have a place that dispenses all other drugs. It certainly seems like the secure solution to the compassionate use for those for whom it is deemed medically necessary.
Basic Bob
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.
Think of it as "over the counter". Do you need to go to the doctor or pharmacy for aspirin or toothpaste?
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
The Washtenaw GOP Chair was just appointed 3rd Appellate Judge. In the 2 years that I have known him, I have time and time observed our legalization advocates within the Washtenaw GOP stridently argue in front of him, against the war on drugs as specifically applied to marijuana and in particular the issue with Michigan and Bill Schutte's seizures and prosecutions of Ann Arbor dispensaries. Never once did our Chair, who is now an Appellate Judge, ever reign in the conversation or try to bring in an opposing view, as he would do on other controversial issues such as the DRIC, primary vs. convention, etc. Either he knew the caucus was so stacked on the side of legalization that he didn't want to waste his time, or - and this is what I think, I think he voted like the majority of us, for legalization back in 2008. Where's the Washtenaw Democrat Chair on this issue? Chase Ingersoll
G. Orwell
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
Some of the Democrats and Republics at leadership levels are carrying the water for the Obama Admin. The system or establishment does not want marijuana legalized. It benefits the society too much.
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
I don't know if you caught Frank Beckman WJR 760 yesterday morning, but there was a perfectly clear headed doctor (female) discussing the latest studies regarding the BENEFIT of marijuana for athletes specific to reducing muscle spasms, stress reduction and increasing sleep needed for the body to recover from lengthy workouts AND, reduce anxiety involving competitive performance. She explained these scientifically documented results, explained why high paid athletes are willing to risk using marijuana - because if used for these purposes, rather than used in excess for recreational purposes, along with other drugs, IT ACTUALLY ENHANCED THEIR PERFORMANCES. She also noted that the stress reduction effect and improved sleep was an affect observed in military veterans suffering from PSTD. I note again that this was on the FRANK BECKMAN SHOW (conservative juggernaut), on a first name basis with all of the major and minor political figures in the state. Our Washtenaw County GOP has a county convention next month and I knowing the Washtenaw County Precinct Delegates I do, I would estimate that 90% are in favor of Michigan marijuana being treated as one or more of the following consumer products: pharmaceutical; alcohol or tobacco; food; vitamin supplement product. I know that my view here is shared with the MAJORITY OF GOP County Chairs across the state. Accordingly, if you want this to happen, get involved in your County GOP and Democratic Party Conventions and elect County Chairs with you on this, because the legislators and governor will follow the Party Chairs on this. They just want the political cover. Chase Ingersoll
Chase Ingersoll
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 1 a.m.
I've been in AA for 21 years, as of this week, so I am accutely away that marijuana addiction is the number one addiction for those entering treatment. But marijuana is even more complex than alcohol as far as how an array of canaboids interacts with each each individuals metabolism and synaptic responses. But just be ause a substance is addictive to a particular percentage of the population is no reason to summon an army of straw men to support big brother. If we are to start doing that, all we need do is trapse tover to the nearest walmart and start rounding up in droves the clinically obese waddling down the isles overflowing with high fructose carbohydrates and intervention them over to dawn farms...... Which I thinknis ironic, because when they surveyed men, they found that if they had to chose, men said they would rather be unemployed than fat. ...oh wretched men that we are. Who will deliver us from this body of death?....for that which I do, I allow not, for what i would...that do I not....but what I hate, that I do...
Stephen Landes
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.
You should also note that the expert discussed dependency and other down sides of marijuana. If you're going to provide a review of the segment you should be complete rather than selecting the portions that benefit your argument.
G. Orwell
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
Marijuana does cure some forms of cancer. A profit center for Big Pharma that will be impacted if MM is widely used. Also Google, "marijuana cancer cures." PBS documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEQw6VnuqiM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
jamie
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
There is a very informative, very thorough account of the processes involved with the local government in Ann Arbor, and how it relates to the issue of licensing dispensaries- http://annarborchronicle.com/2012/04/05/ann-arbor-marijuana-licenses-who-decides/ This is very detailed, but worth the time to go through to gain better insight as to what is really going on.
Lallei
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Thank you A2chronicle for you continual in depth, thorough, professionalism. Your links and follow up regarding the city's relevant issues are appreciated!
G. Orwell
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
Pharmaceuticals kill about 250,000 people a year. Marijuana, if used properly, provides multiple medical benefits without side effects. Yet, for our safety, marijuana is severely restricted. Who are they kidding? Is it because marijuana is so effective and the pharmaceutical companies cannot patent it to profit from it? Who is Postema and the politicians that oppose medical marijuana working for? Marijuana should be legalized just as it was before corporations got their dirty hands on it.
DonBee
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
My only hope is that this referendum is better thought out and written that the prior one. All of the issues that Mr. Bolgos and others face are a direct result of a sloppy referendum that left so much unclear.
Michigan Man
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
I trust Mr. Bolgos has a large bank account to fund all of the legal fees his new business will encounter? Sounds like grass is cheaper in Michigan than the price of gas?
clownfish
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
Dispensary price of pot: +- $300/ounce Gas= $3.95/gal Gas = 6.15 pounds/gal
shadow wilson
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
To claim pot cures cancer of any kind is an insult to those that suffer from Cancer. Shame on those of you that make this claim simply to further your own agenda.
thecompound
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
I just wonder how some are getting their prescriptions? I honestly know of a handful of people with prescriptions with no chronic disease/pain. I think it is these folks that are ruining it for those truly in need. Figure out a way to deal with prescription abuse and I think more folks would be on board, myself included. JMO
DBH
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
@rusty shackelford, to be accurate (unless you know the gentleman or his medical history), it would be someone who CLAIMS to have had cancer.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
I'm skeptical of that claim as well, but worth noting the only one making it here is someone who had/has cancer.
lynel
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
I don't think anyone is saying pot CURES cancer. Pot makes it easier to LIVE with cancer!
KIKIPIE
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Keep fighting the good fight, Garth. As a longtime business person in this town I can tell you it's "who you know", not what you know. Several landlords "always" get their permits with little effort on their parts. Just keep on keeping on.
Randy
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
Will someone tell them their flag is displayed wrong? When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. Thank you
Lallei
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
Randy- In response to the question about the flag, it is a well known fact that in the military that if the flag is displayed incorrectly. i.e. upside down, etc.. that your camp is in distress. Our camp is most definitely in distress, as 300,000 signatures are need by July to repeal the prohibition. G.B.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
First, I have no issue with these "so-called" dispensaries, but I do have an issue with the lack of security and public safety. This particular dispensary is within the Old West surrounded by residential homes, a school, and a church. A converted gas station without any security systems is an inappropriate place to deal pot from, especially given past robberies in downtown. To top it all off, this is a gas station and therefore a very easy target. At the very least block access to the drive up areas and put up a fence.
clownfish
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
The last crime report from A2 showed a DROP in robberies since the dispensaries opened. Would you oppose a Subway in this location? Just down the street is a slew of banks, which have a greater rate of robbery than dispensaries, are you opposed to banks in this neighborhood? http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/ann-arbor-police-searching-for-man-who-robbed-subway-location-tuesday/ Why would a thief with any sense rob a place to get what can be found cheap in thousands of homes and dorm rooms in and around the county? The last robbery of a dispensary was for CASH, not pot. The residents in the neighborhood that you worry about smoke pot. Sorry to break that to you, but the Old West Side is chock full of pot users. What difference does having a church nearby make? As far as the school; better to teach kids the truth than lie to them with prohibition propaganda. They are going to find out the truth eventually, and then they lose respect for those that lied to them. There was a liquor store just across the street from that school for decades, do you have any evidence that those kids have a higher rate of alcoholism than the general populace?
Steve Hendel
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.
Has everyone forgotten one slight detail? Marijuana is a controlled substance for which, by federal law, there is no permissible use. The City of Ann Arbor and the State of Michigan can no more override that stricture than they can any other federal law. Yes, the federal government currently turns a blind eye to the USE of small quantities of the substance; what do you want to bet that a President Romney or a President Santorum would reverse that policy in a second? Legalizing and regulating marijuana in much the same way as we treat liquor is one thing; but this.....? Touting it as a CURE for colon cancer? C'mon !!!
Honestywon
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.
It saved my life. I didn't understand how or why at the time, but I accepted it. I have heard true stories of others who have been completely cured of cancer. I know it saved me, why would I doubt them? I was an herbalist before ever knowing or realizing the medicinal benefits, so it was much easier for me to understand the healing benefits of herbs than most people...of which cannabis is an herb. What is difficult to fathom is how an herb is listed as a narcotic, of which it is not...and the strong-arm tactics used against people for possessing a non-lethal herb.In my lifetime I have seen people that I have loved & cared for, that were drunk from alcohol, stoned from weed, tripping on mushrooms or acid, drugged-up from pills, tweaking from cocaine & meth, crazy from steroids, and gasping for air from cigarettes. Of them all, at least I knew the ones that were stoned from weed, were not going to die from using it…well, unless this happens… http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_20280459/arcata-woman-sues-city-police-over-potless-pot And this happened in the most cannabis-lax state! Unless we make it legal across the board...bad things are going to keep happening.
johnnya2
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
Wait, in what part of the CONSTITUTION does it say the FEDERAL government can determine laws of a state? If the ACA is overturned, that would nullify ALL federal involvement in healthcare that does not involve interstate commerce.If it is grown, and sold in Michigan, it MUST be deemed legal. If those two right wing nut jobs believe any word of what they say they MUST allow marijuana use for medical purposes.
N. Todd
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
DBH - As Rusty pointed out above, there is currently a lack of significant clinical data for me to offer you. I apologize if I gave you the idea that that was the basis for my comment. However, the efficacy of the medicine is not the reason this data is so limited. There are plenty of testimonials from cancer patients who have benefited greatly from the use of Simpson Oil, and more broadly, cannabis in general. If you want to kill an hour of your time, watch this video for some of the testimonials and info about the oil and how it's produced. (I understand it is not scientific data and not a 'Credible' source to be used in place of such.) The second link provides links to actual research. It relates to cannabis in general, not the Simpson oil extract. I think the preliminary evidence is highly in favor of cannabinoids having cancer-fighting applications as opposed to not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0psJhQHk_GI http://safeaccess.ca/research/cancer.htm
Basic Bob
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Federal law on this subject is a relic of discrimination. It should be abolished, just as others forms of discrimination have been.
DBH
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.
@N. Todd, I did as you suggested. On Google Scholar (I am not going to waste my time on the general Google search), my search for the exact phrase "Simpson Oil" (restricted to Biology, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Medicine, Pharmacology, Veterinary Science, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities) returned 22 references, none of which appeared to have anything to do marijuana or cannabis in general. See http://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=20&q=%22Simpson+Oil%22&hl=en&as_sdt=1,23&as_subj=bio+med+soc for the actual search results. Either your contention is wrong, or the information on "Simpson Oil" is more difficult to locate than you think. I would appreciate it if you would provide a link to at least one CREDIBLE reference on Simpson Oil as it relates to this article. Thanks.
N. Todd
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
There have been plenty of cases of cannabis eliminating several different forms of cancer. Just because you don't already know something, doesn't mean it isn't true. Do a few minutes of research on it so you don't sound so misinformed in future posts. Google 'Simpson Oil'; that might be a good place to start.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
Part of the push at the state level is to make the federal government realize how untenable its position has been for a long time. I agree that anecdotal medical evidence is by far inferior to clinical evidence. However, that's often all that's available; I'm sure proponents of medical marijuana would welcome clinical testing. Again, it's the feds who prevent that from happening. Many, many people from all walks of life find it very helpful in, at a minimum, reducing symptoms of chronic illness. That should at be enough to at least get the government to allow more clinical studies. I won't hold my breath.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:35 a.m.
Also, nice profile, Ryan. I'd been wondering what was going on with that place. It's sad that the city is tying their building license to their dispensary license. Since they dither indefinitely on the latter, it isn't really fair to prevent a property owner from investing in his property while he waits for Postema's new rules, whatever they are. As if they couldn't turn the location in to something else, if the former license is denied?
rusty shackelford
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
Legalization will not happen this election, but I'm glad to say I'm quite confident it will happen in my lifetime. I'm glad to see Munevar's group at work. Pressure from the states is one way to change federal policy that has a long tradition. Research for medical use and less restriction on recreational use go hand in hand. A large part of the reason the government keeps marijuana illegal, including forbidding most medical research on cannabinoids, is outdated and, to a degree, racist cultural resentment of recreational users (i.e., first Mexican workers and African American musicians, followed by Beats and Hippies). It makes no sense that the government continues to think this way. But unlocking people's irrational fear of one will naturally help bring about the other.
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
Please guys - get active in either of your political parties, which essentially means learning which, when and where the meetings are that you elect the non-public officials - the local partisan leaders. That's where your influence can make a greater difference on this issue.
dextermom
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
I thought it would happen in my lifetime, too. I graduated from college in 1971.
Hesh Breakstone
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 10:52 a.m.
Any man that can work with his mother-in-law surely must be a compassionate sort!!! And once again we have buzz-kill Postema... exercising his vendetta on those least able to defend themselves.... the sick. What a guy I tell ya, what a guy... When is it that Postema is up for reelection? Let's send him packing when he is and maybe, with a little luck....., Postema might be retained by some of the dispensaries to assist them in filing their articles of incorporation..... Poor guy, someone has to show him the way....
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 3:22 a.m.
They're all in bed together, and it is, what it is. There are people in this country who are addicted to power, and some say that these people know how to handle others, and be tough. This is what he is paid to do. They don't care of the will of the vote, to them it's a craps shoot, and should be treated as is as long as they have their strong religious beliefs. Just because the ancient religious founders used fear to command and demand obedience over much of the known world. The vote is the Law, and we make it, that's what we do in this country. No one should be able too deny what the law and the voice of the people have made. I guess if you don't like the law, then you can just do what you want here, make up your own law as you see fit, but if that the case then Hutaree just might be onto something here. Maybe Postema Needs some palm grease, if you know what i mean, I mean that's how regular business is served up in this country, right? There's no grease coming for them, so why do what the people voted for anyway.
Basic Bob
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
Postema works for city council. There must be some reason they continue to support him, but I can't imagine what that would be.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:26 a.m.
He's not elected.
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 10:47 a.m.
Washington and Jefferson must be rolling over in their graves at the idea of paying lifetime income and benefits to public officials who are preventing private property owners from improving their property and selling a dried out plant. It bears mentioning that there are now three different canaboid based pharmaceutical going to market to treat the varios symptoms that canabis users have long claimed realived these symptoms. All of you like me.....and this means you Bill Schutte....who have never smoked a joint in our lives need to reconsider the authoritarian prejudices to which we were exposed and learn that we don't preserve our own personal liberties by trying to dictate what others can or cannot do with their lives and God granted choices. Chase Ingersoll
Chase Ingersoll
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 12:43 a.m.
I'm 43 and have never had to take anything stronger than vicodine......nasty crap after oral surgery......next time around I took the advice of a UM post cardiac nurse and rotated tylenol and aspirin.....she explained one works on bone the other on tissue so you can take them over the top of each other and get better pain relief without the narcotic side effects..... But here is my self interest......all of you out there experimenting and documenting your trials with your herbs and oil.....maybe someday I will have a need and one of you will have developed something as long as Bill Schutte and his guys in black boots aren't stealing all of your patient files. Come and join the wastenaw GOP and you'll be in a room full of people the are waiting to rip Bill a new one the next time he shows up looking for money and door knockers. You guys should have joined us in the primary to support Mike Bishop like we did.
aa1940
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.
C. Ingersoll - You fail to mention the cost of the pharmaceutical version of canabis, mine was $900.00 how much was yours ?
a2miguy
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 6:03 p.m.
Chase.... that last paragraph. I can't say I've read anything anywhere (at least not in a long, long time) that describes what freedom is (or should be) better than that. Kudos to you.
Forever27
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
chase, this might be the first post you've ever had that I actually 100% agree with. well-said
rusty shackelford
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:25 a.m.
Well said.