MARIJUANA OPINIONS CONFUSING TO MEDICAL PATIENTS

Editor:

Tuesday's front page article "New Medical Marijuana Act creates local
dialogue" contains opinions which could confuse patients who wish to
use marijuana under the authority of the Act, known legally as
Initiated Law 1 of 2008.

The act contains an Affirmative Defense section which became law on
December 4th. This simply means that if a patient who is otherwise in
compliance with the law - to include having a written recommendation
from a doctor - the patient has a legal defense in court if arrested.

On April 6 the Michigan Department of Community Health began accepting
applications from qualifying patients and caregivers for registry
identification cards, which will protect them from arrest. Actually
having the card and being otherwise in compliance with the law is the
only way to avoid arrest.

The organization which sponsored the initiative, the Michigan
Coalition for Compassionate Care, has complete details on it's website
at micares.org/

Richard Lake

Escanaba