Future looks cloudy for Ann Arbor medical marijuana dispensaries since ruling, raids
John Evans, of Ypsilanti, places signs in protest outside of the OM of Medicine dispensary in Ann Arbor after two other local dispensaries were raided on Thursday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
But never more abruptly than in the past week — leaving patients, government officials, law enforcement and the owners of some 20 dispensaries in Washtenaw County with many questions and few answers.
First came a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that 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
Despite that, officials from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office can’t say for certain what will happen to local dispensaries.
Thursday, Michigan State Police drug investigators raided two Ann Arbor medical marijuana dispensaries — an action they said was part of an ongoing investigation into the businesses and not related to the court ruling.
Now, some dispensary owners have shut their doors, while others say business will continue as usual. They say they've been taking hundreds of calls from patients as to what it all means.
The future for dispensary business in Michigan looks uncertain at best.
Police carry boxes out of the A2 Go Green Corp. dispensary in Ann Arbor during a Thursday raid.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
A news release issued by Schuette’s office Wednesday states the attorney general will send a letter to the state’s 83 county prosecutors outlining how the ruling “empowers them to close dispensaries and provide instructions on how to file similar nuisance actions to close dispensaries in their own counties.”
Voters approved the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in 2008; the law went into effect in April 2009.
Michigan requires patients to acquire a physician's recommendation for medical marijuana for certain medical conditions and register for a state registry ID card. Then they can grow marijuana plants themselves or use the services of a state-registered caregiver, who can grow up to 12 plants apiece for as many as five patients.
State law was silent on dispensaries before Tuesday's appeals court ruling.
Still open for business?
Phone calls went unanswered at least six Ann Arbor dispensaries that AnnArbor.com attempted to reach on Thursday and Friday.
Those who picked up the phone were often reluctant to give a name or offer any information at all to a reporter — including whether or not the business was open.
A few dispensary partners were willing to share their opinions on the events of the week.
Jamie Lowell is a co-founder of 3rd Coast Compassion Center in Ypsilanti. His dispensary is open for business, he said Friday. The shop was the first to open in the state and has thousands of members — individuals who present a state-approved medical marijuana card and pay a small membership fee to join, he said.
“What we are is a space where individual caregivers and patients can come out and carry out the spirit and intent of the law,” Lowell said.
He declined to provide details on how or if members compensate the dispensary for marijuana.
He said closing the dispensary would impact thousands of individuals’ lives by lowering their quality of life.
“They’ve been relying on us to help out,” he said.
People’s Choice Alternative Medicine in Ann Arbor also has remained open in the days since the ruling, owner Daryl Mines said. He said the appeals court ruling on a for-profit dispensary doesn’t apply to his business, which he said is non-profit.
“We are a non-profit and we take donations; we do not sell anything,” Mynes said.
Regardless, the shop’s days in the location by Michigan Stadium are numbered. Separate from the ruling and the raids, the city of Ann Arbor has been working this summer to shut it down following complaints from neighbors, City Attorney Stephen Postema said.
The complaints include reports of alleged drug deals in the vicinity of the business, loud music and the location operating after business hours. Additionally, the location is zoned for office use, which is in violation of a new city zoning ordinance approved in June to address marijuana dispensaries.
The city sent cease and desist letters to the business and the bank that owns the property at 1054 S. Main St. in July, Postema said.
“Even before this court ruling came down, we would have moved to have them declared a nuisance,” he said.
People’s Choice wants to be a good neighbor and fix any problems that arise, Mynes said.
The shop, which serves around 3,000 members, has outgrown the space as well.
Mynes plans to move and apply for a dispensary license with the city in a properly zoned location he declined to name.
Postema said Saturday the property owner plans to evict the business next week.
Patients left looking for medicine
The appeals court ruling means some local medical marijuana patients who purchased the drug at dispensaries can’t get medicine from a source they’ve come to rely on.
Patients with qualifying medical conditions — like cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other afflictions listed in the state act — can acquire medical marijuana under the state law.
While the drug’s purchase is illegal in the eyes of the federal government, thousands of patients buy marijuana at Ann Arbor’s dispensaries, according to owners, who typically describe the transactions as donations for services.
One Ann Arbor patient said her dispensary closed last week, leaving her with two days worth of marijuana, which she takes to address a traumatic brain injury.
Koos Eisenberg said she's upset that OM of Medicine — the dispensary at 112 S. Main St. she's been going to since April — has closed its doors.
AnnArbor.com could not reach owners of the shop to confirm its closure.
Eisenberg said the court ruling has left patients like her in a state of limbo, wondering where to go for their medicine.
"From what I understand of the law, it's not legal for me to call another patient and say, 'Do you have any medicine I can borrow?'" she said. "What am I supposed to do? I don't want to do anything illegal because I don't want to lose the privilege of my medical marijuana card."
She said she’s taken up to 30 prescription medications but reduced that to 12 since turning to medical pot.
"But now the only legal option I have would be to call my doctor and say, 'I have to abruptly stop smoking marijuana and go back on pain killers.' That is not something I want to do to my body."
Cloudy future
Patients and dispensary owners aren’t sure they know what’s next for the businesses; neither do prosecutors or city officials.
Stephen Postema
Ann Arbor staff and City Council now have to review the city's new zoning and licensing ordinances crafted to regulate the fledgling dispensary industry, Postema said.
Hiller said the Prosecutor's Office will have discussions about the appeals court ruling after Prosecutor Brian Mackie returns from an annual conference for the state’s 83 elected prosecutors on Monday.
Until those discussions occur, answers could be hard to come by, Hiller said.
“We still have a lot of questions to be answered about the MMMA and its effect,” he said. “I will tell you that occasionally we get calls from people who want to know what they need to do or how to go about setting up a marijuana business under the act. The only advice we give them is it’s probably illegal and they should look for another business.”
AnnArbor.com reporter Ryan Stanton contributed to this report.
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
aawolve
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:15 p.m.
Look at these jokers wearing ski masks. They appeal to the public when they're getting laid off, and then turn around and put a boot on their neck. Good riddance to those who lost their jobs, obviously the city is doing fine if we have time for this nonsense.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.
Without reading the whole story yet the first comment I see is: Washtenaw County Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said. "When there's money changing hands, it's not OK." Would this happen to be because none is passing through his hands ? Of course it would not be OK. Forget about the money part at this point anyway. These dispensaries are the first step in the loss of the war on drugs. On the same day these raids took place the illegal Drug Cartels attacked a Casino full of innocent people in Mexico and there was a body count of 60 or more at my last reading on that incident. Let these dispensary owners have their free enterprise and earn their money legally. We lost the war on drugs a long time ago and the people of the United States and Michigan have spoken this very clearly with their votes to allow these dispensaries. I have yet to hear of anyone overdosing on Marijuana. It appeares to me there were correct controls in place to distribute it legally, thus allowing for job creation and necessary relief from painful ailments. These places existed quietly and didn't have shady people lining up at the door. I passed them not even knowing they were there. The doctors are not to keen on prescribing pain killers at this point with all of the bad publicity they are suddenly getting. So what if someone is making a profit. That's the American way! If you want your cut Mr. Hiller go out and open up you own dispensary and you can have some of the money too. No, I am not a Marijuana user but just about every group of people I know has at least one or two users in it. I personally consider this less harmful then drinking. The are respectable people and go to work and have families. Legalize this already. The people have spoken ! (Now I will read the rest of the story).
E. Manuel Goldstein
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
How many jobs are these taxpayer-dollar-funded police actions creating? I particularly resent seeing my tax dollars wasted in this way, and would like to see my Ann Arbor City Council place on the ballot an initiative to make marijuana a zero priority for law enforcement. I would also like to see Washtenaw County Sherriff's Dept pulled out of LAWNET. The drug war is a total, utter failure. Going after medical marijuana is just cowardly, and unconscionable when we have rapists attacking women in our own downtown.
UlyssesSwrong
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
This is the typical procedure for medical marijuana laws progressing through time. The same thing could be seen in California, before they passed their legislation to legalize medical marijuana dispensaries. Soon enough the people will pass local laws determining what's OK and what's not OK with medical marijuana, because it is not outlined under the current law. The raids are pretty big 'pop' news but it will lead to a more stable medical marijuana world in our state.
Roadman
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 3:15 a.m.
If County Prosecutor Brian Mackie authorizes vigorous criminal prosecution as a result of these raids, there should be attempts to recruit a candidate to run against Mackie in 2012 when his current terrm of office expires. A Republican with Libertarian leanings or a Green Democrat would likely draw a lot of votes in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area.
ICanSeeClearlyNow
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
If the commenters who are pro-pot live in Ann Arbor, I am truly embarassed for my city. Why should there be so many people here who want to chemically escape reality?
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
Have you every had a headache? What was the first thing you reached for when it came about? Are you aware of the damage that tylenol aka Acetophetemene (a chemical) does to your liver? So far there has been no scientific evidence that Marijuana even comes close to the physical damage a simple tylenol does. Why would you want to chemically escape pain then?
Richard P Steeb
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:20 a.m.
Those who wish to "chemically escape reality" generally visit the local tavern. Cannabis isn't like that. Really.
shepard145
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 10:27 p.m.
Now the pot-heads are "protesting" because the profit making dispensaries are illegal even though they can still get baked in the comfort of their own basement apartments? Go get jobs, hippies.
John Thomas
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
shepard145 Get a clue, bigot. More than 100 million Americans have smoked marijuana. That's near HALF the of-age population. There are an estimated 30 to 50 million current consumers. Clearly, the vast majority are hard-working, respected members of their community, from all walks of life, and loved by the families they support. -- Shame on you for demonizing so many millions of good Americans.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
A2Woman FBI statistics show 80 percent of all "illegal" drug sales are of marijuana. That makes the "war on drugs" a war on millions of American marijuana consumers. Since the preponderance of the research shows marijuana is less "addictive" than coffee and far less harmful than alcohol, this state persecution of its citizens resembles the Spanish Inquisition. "Drug task forces" and "Narcotics Enforcement Teams" are just the goons of the American Inquisition. They feed off the misery they inflict on their fellow Americans. They comprise just one component of the gargantuan marijuana prohibition industrial complex. Thankfully, California, and a few other states, will likely re-legalize marijuana at the polls next year. Most of the other states, and the feds, will follow soon after. It's time to release 20 million Americans - and the future - from bondage.
John Thomas
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
A2Woman Opinions are great, but dogged belief in an opinion after being exposed to mountains of evidence to the contrary is not just misguided, it's viciously destructive - especially when millions of innocent lives are at stake. Many people who supported slavery held the 'opinion' that blacks weren't fully people. So their stubborn opinions helped to perpetuate that shameful chapter of U.S. history. The same thing applies now. Science, and the experience of more than 100 million Americans, has shown marijuana is near harmless. Your unrevised, and closed 'opinion' helps to support the persecution of millions of good Americans who make the far safer choice over alcohol.
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
A2Woman, I don't think anyone is saying that pot is a bad drug per say. What angers citizens like me, is that the State refuses to regulate the heck out it; quality control, dispensaries, and taxes. I have no problem with people buying pot, but I think if they want unlimited legal access to it, they should pay taxes just like tobacco smokers. We, none smokers, deserve some of the revenue for our schools!
A2Woman
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
Thankfully, Mr. Thomas, we live in the USA, where we can each voice our own opinions. We owe that to the men and women in our military, fighting to protect our freedoms, and creating freedom for others.
Wolf's Bane
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
Glad to see the dispensaries are gone. Honestly, what a joke!
aawolve
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
I'm with you A2 Wookie! Hopefully the fast food joints and bars will be next, right on.
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
We've all heard about Mr Postema's roots in Ann Arbor, about how "civic minded" he is and how he's a great attorney and could make so much more money in the private sector and what a great deal it is to have him. Blah blah blah. He been in city hall so long he thinks he knows what's best for Ann Arbor, the people, voters, taxpayers and rationalizes his anti marijuana views as a personal crusade instead of a legal one on the side of the voters and local residents and businesses. Like old fish left too long in the refrigerator, it starts to stink after a while. Postema was part and parcel of corporatist Roger Fraser's highly paid administration. He was the prime mover making up reasons why secret meting among elected official were not really secret. Fraser left to manage Snyder's unconstitutional, unelected Emergency Manager scheme. Postema needs to look for greener pastures and get out of local government. We have a new city administrator, he should assist council in choosing a city attorney who serves the people of Ann aRbor and not the city administration over the interest of Ann Arbor, its elected officials and its residents. Better yet, privatize the entire city attorney's office, save a pile of money and be done with it.
a2reason
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.
As anyone in law enforcement knows, the City Attorney isn't involved in Lawnet raids. This is an outside operation. To continue to harp on the City and Ann Arbor police for these raids is silly. There has been alot of anger also at the recent court opinion. But this opinion was bound to come out this way, and expecting the state Supreme Court to reverse this is foolish beyond belief (and a complete waste of time.) The bigger question is why anyone is surprised at this ruling--unless they were given very poor legal advice. DonBee is absolutely correct. If the citizens want to legalize dispensaries under state law they should just ask the michigan legistislature to change the law or put a citizen's initiative on the ballot. Marijuana advocates need to stop pretending that the 2008 law ever legalized dispensaries in the first place and get to work. Furthermore, attacking the Ann Arbor City Attorney further undermines the credibiilty of the various commentators. City Attorney Postema is an Ann Arbor native who is a widely regarded attorney in the city and the state. He is a very thoughtful and dedicated public servant who is well respected in the legal community and courts. Many people in this town are well aware of the many excellent things he has done for the City. Unlike the armchair analysts on these comments, Postma actually has to practice law and take care of problems that arise. The medical marijuana advocates might want to actually get qualified attorneys this time around to advise them about the law and to help them draft the ballot language so that the state law can be changed to cover dispensaries. In other words, don't just get an attorney who tells you what you want to hear. (I know this would still leave the whole federal illegality.) There are serious policy issues to still discuss, but the important discussion is simply not aided by the various rants here. And by the way, I am in favor of careful legalization and regulation and taxation.
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
Why doesn't someone ask Postema his personal views on marijuana and then he can put the matter of his politics on the issue to rest. I bet that Postema knows more than one marijuana user and probably one or more medicinal user and that he is fully aware of how innocuous the plant is. He may be the city attorney, but he does not represent the will of the local populace. He represents the law enforcement and prison industry, many who would be unemployed if marijuana were legal. No one can tell me that Chief Barnett or Postema were not aware that this was going to happen and that they could have suggested less storm trooper tactics. What's worse is that the lap dog city council is not doing anything to prevent LAWNET from using their jack booted fascist law enforcement techniques harassing local businesses.
DAN
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.
Why not sell it through licensed pharmacies the way other drugs are handled (With a prescription from a real doctor)?
Richard P Steeb
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
Because Scedule I substances are not allowed for prescription. Only Schedule II or lower, like morphine, cocaine, and Fentanyl. Pot is WAY too dangerous. Really.
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.
Why should we hand over the growing and use of a simple plant to big business so they can profit from it? Once the corporations get ahold of marijuana people will most likely not be able to grow their own.
greenjohn
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.
These people are the lowest of the low.We must remember who they are on election day.Because when 70 % vote ,your out.It is the same problem that the federal government has.The people get elected and then do not care what the people want, but do as they please. It is all about money.When they arrest one of us,they get money for each day you spend in jail,like they are running a motel. They get money when you have to be assesed,when they fine you, the probation officer gets paid by you ,drug testing companies,paid by you.judges getting paid, lawyers all get paid,yours and theirs.The police depend on property forfitures to fund the departments,the prisons are full of our people for pot "crimes". When you get out parole officer gets paid. And they are affraid of losing all this funding. I faught in viet nam ,thinking i was fighting for freedom, what a joke. These are the lowest of the low lifes. One of these days we may have to fight here for our freedom,and i will fight a lot harder here than i did in viet nam. HERE IS A HUGE STIMULAS PROGRAM, PARDON ALL POT PRISONERS AND FREE POT. IT WAS THE ONLY BUSINESS IN MICHIGAN HIREING
shepard145
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
Nothing brings out the adult children in a city like weed! LOL Children often don't listen carefully before throwing a fit then need to be talked down by adults. In this case, the judgement bans dispensaries you cry babes - those of you in the last days of life on chemo who can barely roll out of bed (as described by the pot heads collecting signatures for the ballot initiative), are still welcome to spend your days toking away in mom's basement listening to your Fog Hat records. Michigan has no desire to be another pot industry state and those protesting the loudest are more concerned about making profits from pathetic drug dependent slackers then the running joke that this is any kind of "medication", dude.
aawolve
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.
Relax, and have a drink of that harmless alcoholic substance in your fridge.
Richard P Steeb
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 4:28 a.m.
Your ignorance is astonishing. Google "Sir William Brooke O'Shaughnessy" and get a clue. Try laughing off "Storm Crow's List" while you are at it. This idiotic ruling shall not stand. You can take that to the BANK.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
You can eschew the condescension. If you can't make a point without it, it reveals your weakness. As the polls show, you certainly don't speak for Michigan. A majority of Americans in the whole country now want to end the monstrous fraud of marijuana prohibition. And that support continues to grow. Mankind has always enjoyed altering their consciousness. Marijuana is not addictive and is FAR less harmful than alcohol. That makes it a BOON to humanity.
Wolf's Bane
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
I know if I owned Cafe Felix on Main Street, I'd be relieved to have the "dispensary" gone.
Wolf's Bane
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
@Woman in Ypsilanti. Most pot smokers can't afford the menu that Cafe Felix offers, so the subject is moot. I also know that I stopped going to Felix as soon as the Baron's of Pot moved in upstairs and were robbed at gunpoint. I don't need that type of static when I'm trying to enjoy a beer or a coffee. Just saying...
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
Well you don't own Cafe Felix and maybe you might ask the owners before you jump to a silly conclusion. If that have a problem, we haven't heard anything from them.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.
If I owned Cafe Felix, considering that it is a businesses that sells food, I would be more than happy to have another business nearby that sells a drug that makes people hungry. Or do you think they would be worried that people might choose marijuana over the drug Cafe Felix sells every day, alcohol?
clownfish
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
why?
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
Note to City Council. Postema must go. Now. As City attorney he does not represent the interest of the people of Ann Arbor. He represents law enforcement and the forces of Reefer Madness whose jobs depend on marijuana remaining illegal.
David Cahill
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
I disagree with Steve Hiller's analysis of the Court of Appeals' ruling. That opinion only dealt with patient-to-patient sales. It did not prohibit donations or other business models for dispensaries. The real solution to this mess is for the Legislature to amend the state law to expressly allow dispensaries, with reasonable regulations.
clownfish
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
The future should be cloudy for Bill Shuette and the Supreme court.
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
I hope it's a cloud of refer smoke.
dogpaddle
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
To John Thomas, G. Orwell, Don Bee, et al., check out this book and buy it from one of our local bookstores that are left before the government shuts down these small businesses, too, just like Gestapos burned books that didn't support Hitler's agenda: "The Trillion-Dollar Conspiracy: How the New World Order, Man-Made Diseases, and Zombie Banks Are Destroying America" I thought we were reinventing Michigan. And since we don't really manufacture things the way we used to, what's wrong with doing another thing we do so well in this region of the country - grow things? Especially something organic that grows naturally out of the ground that the government is wasting billions every year trying to control when they can't really. Besides going against the will of the people and preventing them easier access to something all natural and organic, did we forget how expensive Prohibition was and the crime element it fostered? And for the neighbors who have complained about the noise from People's Choice during regular business hours coming from MAIN St: just wait till two weeks from now when we have a night game at the Stadium. Hope you get some sleep that night.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:14 a.m.
DonBee We have addictive, much more harmful sent through the mail all the time, so what's the problem there? The fact of that matter is, marijuana prohibition is, and always has been, a monstrously destructive fraud. Every year, more than 800,000 good Americans are made second-class citizens for life for being caught with a near harmless plant. That's 20 million Americans so far, who will forever face huge obstacles to decent employment, education, housing, government benefits, travel, and will always go into court with one strike against them. They can even have their CHILDREN taken away. The Internet has made the truth well known. Any who now continue to act as if this were some "debatable issue" and do not lift a finger to end this barbaric persecution of their fellow Americans, are part of the problem and should hang their heads in shame.
John Thomas
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
There was an explosion of consumption in the sixties and beyond. There was NO equivalent explosion of any disease caused by that consumption. No further research is needed to do the right thing and end the monstrously destructive, fraudulent prohibition. After all, there is no doubt, alcohol consumption is many times more harmful. Yet we know for even that toxic substance, prohibition does more harm than good.
John Thomas
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
DonBee >>>"I have followed the research for years," Then how is it you are unaware of the major government commissions on marijuana? I have followed the research for decades. The major commission in the U.S. being Nixon's Shafer Commission in 1972, and an equally excellent one from the Canadian Senate Special Reports in 2002 - Add all the other major commissions at the link I gave, and the evidence is overwhelming. >>>"Did you follow my links?" Yes, I did. There is little legitimate, significant research done that I am not aware of. There was nothing new at any of those links. >>>"This is an emerging area of research." Dr. Mitch Earleywine is a professor and drug policy expert. He stays abreast of all new research. You should check in with him. <a href="http://stash.norml.org/archive/mitchearleywine.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://stash.norml.org/archive/mitchearleywine.htm</a> >>>"One that as a parent I worry about, if it is true, what does it mean." Please don't introduce children into the debate. No one advocates consumption by minors, and it is the fraudulent, counter-productive marijuana prohibition that PUTS marijuana into kids hands, in their schools and in the playgrounds. Legal, licensed vendors won't sell to minors. >>>"As for Dr Tashkin if you are citing his 2006 report it is indeed inconclusive on every issue. If you look at reports from 2008 and forward that build on his work, then you will find some trends emerging." Wrong. His work is extremely conclusive after 30 years of research. It's now time for the prohibitionists to produce just ONE person with lung cancer caused by marijuana. After 100 million Americans have consumed marijuana, there still is not one case, or that of any serious disease.
DonBee
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
Mr. Thomas - I have followed the research for years, as I stated it is inconclusive in many ways. Did you follow my links? This is an emerging area of research. One that as a parent I worry about, if it is true, what does it mean. This is all 2010, 2011 research. As for Dr Tashkin if you are citing his 2006 report it is indeed inconclusive on every issue. If you look at reports from 2008 and forward that build on his work, then you will find some trends emerging. The New Zealand research is an interesting piece of science and raises a number of questions. Neither Marijuana nor Alcohol are harmless, nor are most other chemical substances. The only way to determine if you want to take them is to weigh your personal benefits and costs. Every adult should be informed and make their own decision.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
Don Bee (cont.) In fact, Every major government commission has concluded marijuana is less "addictive" than coffee and FAR less harmful than alcohol. The reports of all of them can be read here: <a href="http://www.druglibrary.org/SCHAFFER/Library/studies/studies.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.druglibrary.org/SCHAFFER/Library/studies/studies.htm</a> The DEA's own administrative law judge, Francis Young, concluded after an exhaustive review of the evidence: "Marijuana, in its natural state, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man." Alcohol directly kills more than 100,000 Americans every year. Indirectly, many thousands more in highway deaths and from alcohol-induced violence. NO ONE has ever died from ingesting marijuana - in all of recorded history. - That makes it safer than aspirin, safer than coffee, safer than peanuts!
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
DonBee Sorry, but anecdotal information from you is no more valuable than from anyone else. If you have links to support your claim, let's see them. As for your "research" claiming harms of marijuana - that's all they are - claims. No proof. As you yourself say: >>>"while the jury is out on many items, further study of these issues may indeed prove that it is not harmless." While SMOKED marijuana does contain some of the same toxins as cigarettes or any other kind of smoke, consuming marijuana does NOT cause cancer. For two main reasons. One, marijuana consumers inhale a tiny fraction of the smoke that cigarette smokers do. People standing on a busy street corner inhale more toxic smoke than the two or three puffs of marijuana. Second, researchers have found marijuana has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. The preeminent researcher of marijuana and lung disease, UCLA's Dr. Donald Tashkin, conducted investigations over 30 years, initially believing there must be a causal relationship. But he finally concluded that smoking marijuana does NOT cause cancer or ANY other serious disease. Additionally, even the minor lung irritation that heavy consumption can cause can be easily avoided by eating, drinking or vaporizing marijuana. No smoke - no harm - at all.
DonBee
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
Harmless? <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/092099649400053B" rel='nofollow'>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/092099649400053B</a> <a href="http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18930479" rel='nofollow'>http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18930479</a> <a href="http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jphs/96/4/96_376/_article" rel='nofollow'>http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jphs/96/4/96_376/_article</a> I think not, while the jury is out on many items, further study of these issues may indeed prove that it is not harmless. I do know of one classmate in college who killed himself and his girlfriend by driving high, right into a river. The case is documented. At the same time, two were killed in accidents involving alcohol. Neither is harmless, both require self control to use and not abuse. Many of the things we use are not harmless from sugar, to caffeine, to cigarettes. Like cigarettes, marijuana smoking is linked to lung cancer: <a href="http://www.ersj.org.uk/content/31/2/280.short" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ersj.org.uk/content/31/2/280.short</a> So, no it is not harmless, but the harm has to be weighed against the benefit to determine if either is something an adult wants to partake in.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
DonBee That's a rather unique definition of barbaric. Websters doesn't say anything about killing or death in their definition. The primary one is: "possessing or characteristic of a cultural level more complex than primitive savagery but less sophisticated than advanced civilization." No advanced civilization would lock people in cages for possessing a plant that is far less harmful than alcohol. Removing freedom is a form of violence - some would say the worst. Don't worry. I do work at changing the laws. Because I, and thousands of others do, we are now close to victory. We now have 16 states with medical marijuana and California will likely re-legalize marijuana for ALL adults at the polls next year. Most of the other states, and the feds, will soon follow. We just need to stop this barbaric persecution ASAP.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
stunhsif Every time some poster claims someone he knew was killed by a "stoned" driver, it has turned out to be undocumented, or actually due to some other cause. Anecdotal information carries no weight - for various sound reasons. Many people think marijuana consumption causes accidents like alcohol. It doesn't, for various reasons. Research has shown marijuana is not as intoxicating as alcohol. More importantly, while alcohol drinkers think they are better drivers and so drive faster and more aggressively, marijuana consumers are very aware of their altered consciousness and correctly judge when they are too impaired to drive - refraining from doing so. If they must, they correctly compensate for their altered state by driving slower and more cautiously. They simply don't put themselves or others in harm's way. This is why marijuana is NOT a significant cause of auto accidents. Marijuana and Driving: A Review of the Scientific Evidence <a href="http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5450" rel='nofollow'>http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5450</a>
stunhsif
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
"Every year, more than 800,000 good Americans are made second-class citizens for life for being caught with a near harmless plant." Near harmless eh ? Tell that to my friend who's wife was killed by a "stoned" driver.
DonBee
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
Mr. Thomas - I am not arguing one way or another on the value of marijuana. Rather I am pointing to reasons the dispensary might have been raided. At the Federal level FDA approved drugs can be sent through the mail. At the Federal level any marijuana in the mail is illegal. If you don't like it, work to fix the law. Your choice as to whether you make it illegal to move any drug through the mail or you make it legal to move marijuana through the mail. Business owners are responsible to know the laws they operate under. At to barbaric, no we don't shoot drug pushers in the forehead when we find them - taking them out on the street, and leaving the body to rot in place. In some parts of the world that is what they do. That to me is barbaric, enforcing laws, is not barbaric. If you don't like the law, get it changed.
G. Orwell
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:37 a.m.
PBS: Cannabis is Effective at Treating Multiple Condition <a href="http://www.activistpost.com/2011/08/pbs-cannabis-is-effective-at-treating.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.activistpost.com/2011/08/pbs-cannabis-is-effective-at-treating.html</a> There are numerous studies that show cannabis provides health benefits. Even cures cancers. Yet, the government won't allow its use or doing everything possible to shut it down. While, allowing GMOs, aspartame, BPA, pharmaceuticals, fluoride (industrial waste), etc. to be widely used. Not only that, they are shutting down legal organic and raw milk clubs (Google Rawsome). Is the government working for us? Or, is there an agenda?
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
I's called serving the CEO's and corporations (law enforcement, drug companies) etc) who give money to politicians instead of acting according the facts and the will of the people.
Mr. Burns
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:28 a.m.
On a more serious note, can some reporter actually start interviewing Government officials about this situation? All aa.com seems to do is quote press releases in all there stories, not just this one. I would be asking the Attorney General why the city governments across the state allowed all the dispensaries to open knowing they were going they would be challenged in court at a later date? Come on!! They all knew it: The Mayors, the City Council Members, The Building Inspectors, The Police Departments, they all knew that the law read otherwise. They did not need a judge to tell them how to read a paragraph of law. The State government knew too. When you register a business in the state of Michigan you have to disclose what you are selling. They knew it when they opened, I read stories here that said they new how the law read, but they all went ahead and took the dispensaries money in building fees, taxes, etc. Something is really wrong with this country if city governments can't interpret a law correctly and because of that hundreds of people build and open businesses only to potentially lose it all because they were misguided by there elected leaders. Maybe these businesses can actually sue their city governments for something... I would also ask the Attorney General if we can officially charge every government official I listed above with supporting a nuisances.
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
I'd love to hear what Hieftje and others on council have to say about this travesty if "justice". I bet it's "no comment" or a sentence of nonsensical weasel words. For once take a stand on the side of your constituents instead of the powerful forces of anti marijuana zealots
Mr. Burns
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:03 a.m.
I can't believe that I am the first person to say how cool it is that this story was posted at exactly 4:20 pm. Pretty cool man....
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
Excuse me , Her !
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
The reporter made his view of legalization very clear in a very classy way ! I love it.
tim
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.
The whole law never seemed to make sense. How can you make one (not over the counter) medicine separate from the laws that govern the rest of prescription drugs? The whole thing seemed like a joke --- just an easy way for anybody and everybody to get easy access to weed.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
How can you make one plant separate from the laws that govern other plants and herbs? I take dandelion medicinally and no one seems to have a problem with that. I don't have to lobby my government to allow me to buy dandelion extract from the local food co-op. I don't have to fear arrest. etc etc. Why should marijuana be treated differently?
Basic Bob
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
The ban on marijuana is the joke. The adverse effects of alcohol are legendary. Too much marijuana does not kill you or cause you to shoot people, it causes you to get the munchies and fall asleep.
John Thomas
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.
What's wrong with any adult having easy access to a near harmless plant that is far less harmful than alcohol?
Woman in Ypsilanti
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
I, for one, am glad to have businesses like 3rd Coast Compassion Center in Ypsilanti even though I hope never to become one of their customers. I would be very upset with the City of Ypsilanti if they allowed any city employees to be involved in shutting down that business or similar businesses.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
This whole matter is simply outrageous in so many ways. 75% of the citizens of Michigan approved this. it would behoove the public servants to make it happen. It is their job. The electorate was so naive as to believe that their elected public servants would actually make it happen. Instead, they are the very obstacles that are preventing the will of the people from being implemented. They don't want it to happen and so it won't! This "Reefer Madness" is insane. The underground has delivered a quality product since before I was a child. It will not go away. Prohibition does NOT work. Prohibition WILL not work. It is a costly, futile, and non- productive effort. Any citizen can plant a seed and have their plant. Taxpayers can continue to fund as many helicopters as they wish and they will never eradicate all the plants. Nobody with any knowledge of this situation can do anything to change the fact that the people have spoken and marijuana will continue to be readily available. It is up to society to choose between the insanity of the failed Drug Enforcement Industrial Complex, the Prison Industrial Complex, and the sanity of legalization. How many billions of dollars and how many millions of innocent families will be wasted in the interim? Is America capable of repudiating Prohibition and finally getting it right?
1bit
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:37 a.m.
"Any citizen can plant a seed and have their plant..." Yes, that's the point and what was approved by the MMMA. The current Justice Department is not chasing individuals doing that. On the other hand, dispensaries are a concoction of wishful thinking. A "donation" for a drug is still money changing hands for that drug. Voters did not approve dispensaries. So, DonBee's approach is the correct one: make a new law. As others have noted, however, it needs to be done at the federal level.
Chase Ingersoll
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.
I think Don is right. We need a better ballot proposal. Now that the law has been in effect for some time and the only "reefer madness" to be exhibited is that of misguided law enforcement officers, I think the public that voted for it in the first instance would be even more committed to a second proposal to clarify the law, and past opposition to be even less effective than they were previously. And I say this as someone who has never marijuana, but just find it preposterous that we fund a government that tells law abiding, tax paying members of society that they cannot grow a particular plant and trade that plant to other law abiding tax paying adults that want to ingest the plant. I'd better chill......more GABA please.....
John Thomas
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
>>>"Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said. "When there's money changing hands, it's not OK." The fraudulent, counter-productive marijuana prohibition sets up so many paradoxical conundrums. -- How is the cannabis plant so demonically possessed that it warrants being the ONLY product on earth people can't make a profit from? - Only on the prohibitionists' Bizarro World. This neanderthal attack on medical marijuana is just another good example of how medical marijuana patients will never be free until we end marijuana prohibition for ALL adults. Marijuana OTC
A2Woman
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.
We don't know all the facts yet about why these two dispensaries were the only ones raided by the Michigan State Police. Obviously, they would have had the ability and the resources to raid the other 18 dispensaries on Thursday. They could have been working all day and night to do just that, or they quite possibly could have called in more people to help shut them down in one fell swoop. As with any investigation, it seems we will just have to wait for the facts to be released. I am grateful to LAWNET, the men and women in the Narcotics Enforcement Team of Washtenaw and Livingston counties. No, they are not the AAPD either. Many readers missed that point entirely in Thursday's articles about the raids, and it would have reduced the amount of redundant, inaccurate posts about LAWNET.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County should pull out of LAWNET until such time as a more sane policy toward pot can be established. The majority of our society do not support the insane pot laws!
1959Viking
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
It is still a federal issue. If a state passes a medical marijuana law; and federal law state that sale and possession of marijuana are a felony, it is still a felony. The law has to be changed at the federal level, before marijuana charges will stop.
Mr Blue
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
What is Postema afraid of? What is his personal agenda? Why the Reefer Madness? Postema should resign or City Council should "retire" him. He was closely aligned with the corporatist Roger Fraser and does NOT represent the best interests of the citizens of Ann Arbor.
Mr Blue
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
Then issue a ticket for noise violation and get the punk drug dealers off the streets, but that would have been too easy. Instead the jack booted LAWNET thugs swept in to harass business owners. "alleged drug deals... loud music"... sounds like Vaughn and Greenwood streets. These raids were little more than a rush to judgement and power grab for headlines instituted by Scheutte and his activist judges to get rid of a plant they don't like.
a2citizen
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2 p.m.
"... the city of Ann Arbor has been working this summer to shut it down following complaints from neighbors, City Attorney Stephen Postema said. The complaints include reports of alleged drug deals in the vicinity of the business, loud music ..." David, give the republican/conservative/teapublican diatribe a rest.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Postema is a conservative who doesn't want any pot any where near him or our fair city. In a word, delusional! I'm certain he will be quite comfortable in his early retirement. And all you conservatives can lament his sucky at the public trough!
Mr Blue
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
Regardless of Mr Postema's personal opinion about marijuana, Ann Arbor has been tolerant of marijuana for a long time. When 74% of Michigan voters and probably higher here in A2, passed the MMMA, one would think that Mr Postema and Chief Barnett would not have cooperated with LAWNET's heavy handed raids on local businesses. But as it appears Mr Postema and Chief Barnett have a personal agenda and were looking for any excuse to take action against not only the local businesses but the will of 74% of Michigan voters AND the prevailing local tolerance of marijuana. Instead, at the urging of Scheutte, Snyder and the activist judges at their beck and call, Postema and Barnett fully cooperated to rid the city of this terrible scourge... Reefer Madness. Shame on our do nothing, lap dog city council for not being aware of the situation and acting on behalf of their constituents, the people of Ann Arbor but by ignorance or fear or both they instead allowed Postema and Barnett, in full cooperation with LAWNET to harass local businesses and prevent legally empowered citizens to seek medical relief for the ailments.
FightIgnorance
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:03 a.m.
Are you kidding? Your argument is completely ad hominem babble. By being presumptuous and attacking Postema and Barnett, you're not really contributing anything worthwhile to solving the actual problem. You think removing a couple from office is going to fix the real underlying issue regarding medical marijuana? Why don't you take a step away from this seemingly personal vendetta you have and take a look at what the actual problem is: Pot is still federally illegal, forcing the state to come up with alternative methods for supplying medical marijuana. The method that was decided on is intrinsically flawed: Medical marijuana is forced to migrate to a business setting, where virtually anyone who manages to get a license will be "certified" to distribute. "Patients" need only a signature from a physician in order to receive the card permitting them access to medical marijuana. Do you not see the blatantly obvious problem? Medical marijuana, like its name so aptly suggests, belongs under the control of the medical community, but because of federal regulations, that can't be done. The result? There's a new open market for the common person to feast their eager eyes upon. In addition to the professionally uncertified distributors, you have the non-ill running to physicians crying pain. How difficult do you think it is to solicit a signature? These "patients" are not screened thoroughly enough and soon you have a bunch of people with headaches running around with marijuana cards. 2 dispensaries were raided for malpractice. How does this go against the interests of the 74% of people of Ann Arbor that you so fervently speak for? Would you rather the wrongful distribution continue? Or make a hard decision now while coming up with a better method of getting MEDICINE to PATIENTS, not products to consumers. It's not about getting rid of marijuana (people of the government bleed too), it's about stopping its abuse by those who don't require it.
Basic Bob
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
Fair bastion of Liberal sanity? That is a delusion when our local leaders behave like thugs and tyrants.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:16 a.m.
There is nothing that the conservative TeaPublicans that rule our State want more than to embarass Ann Arbor and make an example of our fair bastion of Liberal sanity!
Mr. Ed
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
My medicine what a joke.
asdf
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
Tell that to someone with wasting syndrome going through chemotherapy. Tell that to someone with MS who can lead a semi-normal life. Your narrow mind the only joke.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
Jokes on you Ed. It can't be stopped! It has been here for a century!
DonBee
Sat, Aug 27, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
Before everyone gets in a tizzy about the raids this week ask yourself this - "Why was a Postal Inspector involved in one of the raids? What was sent through the mail?" This is the only way a Postal Inspector would be involved. Given there are 20 or so dispensaries in Ann Arbor, it may be that these two were doing things that went beyond being dispensaries. We DON'T know what the charges will be or why they were raided. If it were just being a dispensary, don't you think the rest would have been raided by now? As to the law, we all knew (even most of the advocates) that the ballot proposal was flawed. It was left to the courts to sort it out. Given the make up of the State Supreme Court, I doubt there will be relief on this issue there. So that leaves fixing the law - here you have two choices: (1) Go to Lansing and try and work it out -OR- (2) Put together a new, better ballot proposal. If you want Medical Marijuana, I would suggest you want to start on a new ballot proposal.
a2citizen
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
"...(2) Put together a new, better ballot proposal..." Yes. Knock off with this juvenile medical marijuana crap. A proposal to legalize it. Plain and simple.
DonBee
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
Mr Briegel - For at least 60 years, Marijuana was just flat illegal. So, how in less than 2 years can this result in "...lives and families ... be destroyed"? It sounds like hyperbole to me.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:43 a.m.
Meanwhile lives and families will be destroyed. Oh well, aren't we proud?
DonBee
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
Mr. Briegel - Some people will cheer the end of MMMA, others will cry. That is the way of a democracy. Fixing this will take work, it is up to the advocates to make that happen. They got a ballot (abet a bad one) through the first time, I think they can do it again, they just need to do a better job on the wording. This country has always been a tug-of-war, going back to Washington's time.
David Briegel
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2 a.m.
That's the problem Don, there was no "sorting out". Just be done with it. Knock heads and lock people up, that's what we're good at!