VA HOSPITAL POLICE ON MEDICAL POT: DON'T BRING IT INSIDE

The policy of Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Saginaw regarding
Michigan's new medical marijuana laws is: Keep it in your car.

VA hospitals will not write recommendations that patients receive marijuana
and will not allow consumption or possession on the premises, said Carrie
L. Seward, public affairs officer for the hospital.

"We will not be able to do anything for medical marijuana," she said.

Seward said violators will "probably get a courtesy warning ... but they
should leave it in their car or it should not be on the premises."

Seward said patients should notify their VA doctors if they are using
medical marijuana, especially if they are part of a pain treatment program.
Patients also should possess proper documentation to show they are legal users.

So far the issue has not come up, Seward said, but the hospital is
clarifying the policy for when it does.

"That's great," said Gregory R. Switala of Clio, a coordinator for the
Saginaw/Bay City Michigan Medical Marijuana Compassionate Care Club. "As
long as they're leaving people be, that's all we're looking for."