CLEARING THE AIR ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Berrien County prosecutor is in a haze about Michigan's medical
marijuana law.

Weeks after voters passed the referendum establishing the program, the
state has failed to effectively communicate rules in place or to seek
input on details that still must be worked out.

That's not the best start for an initiative few law enforcement
officials have backed.

Sixty-three percent of Michigan voters on Nov. 4 made the state the
13th in nation, as well as the first in the Midwest, to legalize
medical marijuana. The vote, of course, failed to end the measure's
controversy.

Supporters promote the drug as a humane treatment option for the pain
and nausea that cancer or chronic disease patients suffer.

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette, who led an underfunded
fight against it, argues Proposition 1 will make it easier for
children and teenagers to obtain marijuana for recreational use.

And, he fears patients will be easy prey for those who can't legally
obtain the weed, escalating crime and violence.

No research proves marijuana to be medically beneficial. Anecdotal
evidence seems to show it relieves symptoms for some patients.

The only argument that counts now, though, concerns where and how
patients will be allowed to legally smoke pot in Michigan.

The Medical Marijuana Law took effect Thursday, but the Michigan
Department of Community Health has until April 4 to come up with the
rules of operation.

The MDCH calls for county health departments to issue registration
cards to qualified patients and caregivers and maintain the list.

The state says qualified patient must be certified in writing by
physician as having a debilitating medical condition with symptoms
which might be relieved by the drug.

Authorized caregivers can assist with no more than five patients'
medical use of the drug.

Michigan's statute doesn't affect the federal ban, which makes
marijuana possession illegal for any purpose. State officials concede
though that federal marshals are too busy to pursue marijuana violations.

The new state law doesn't provide a legal means of acquiring weed or
seeds; it does not allow dispensaries.

Nothing in Michigan's law condones driving or working under the
influence of marijuana.

But many questions remain for local police and prosecutors, not the
least of which are how patients and their caregivers will acquire the
weed and where patients can smoke it.

The MDCH needs to invite local health and law enforcement
representatives into the discussion. State and local officials should
be clear on all the answers before the first patient lights up.