MARIJUANA JOURNAL

Marijuana Journal is a weekly column tracking the implementation of
the state medical marijuana law. Greg Francisco is the executive
director of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association. This column
appears online every Monday and every Wednesday in print.

More than three months after the state medical marijuana law went
into effect, it seems the state is failing in its duty to make clear
to stakeholders how our medical marijuana system works.

Some county health departments have been left in the dark about the
registry application process. Patients are calling and asking how to
apply. Health departments aren't real sure. Most are still unaware
that they'll have no role to play at all; registry applications go
directly to the state Bureau of Heath Professions.

Pharmacists are trying to figure out how they will dispense medical
marijuana. We've had contacts from pharmacists asking about various
business models they're contemplating. But the state hasn't sent them
any guidelines. Is it true they have to store the marijuana in a
locked, enclosed safe? Actually, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act
does not make provision for the dispensing of marijuana and it limits
caregivers to a maximum of five patients.

Judges and prosecutors seem to be having a hard time understanding
the new law. We've been putting in a lot of time trying to bring them
up to speed. Some law enforcement officials are in the dark, unsure
of the effective date of the law, how to handle charges filed
previous to the effective date and how much latitude they have to
challenge a valid doctor recommendation. The protections of the law
became effective on Dec. 4, 2008. The law is retroactive to any case
still pending even if the original charge was filed previous to the
November vote and a doctor's recommendation is not subject to court review.

In pursuit of education and communication, we've been meeting with
many groups, professionals and individuals: Law enforcement, health
care providers and condition-based groups.

My question is: Why isn't the state getting information about the
Michigan Medical Marijuana program out to the stakeholders? If I
didn't know better, I'd almost think the state is ignoring this, in
the hopes it will all go away. To borrow from our friends in the GLBT
community, "We're here, we're medicated: get used to it." So many
questions, so little space.

Please visit our Web site at www.MichiganMedicalMarijuana.org for
more infomation.