CENTER IN FLINT TOWNSHIP HELPS PATIENTS SEEK PERMISSION FOR MEDICAL
MARIJUANA, RECEIVES CRITICISM FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan - The recently opened Michigan Wellness
Center is drawing criticism from the state Department of Community
Health over concerns that the center is creating a "drive-in" for
patients to receive a prescription for medical marijuana.

The Michigan Wellness Center helps patients obtain a card allowing
them to use medical marijuana. It opened last month at 3095 S. Dye
Road, Suite A, in Flint Township.

"I'm not a drug dealer. I want to help people," said Nick Panessidi,
45, of Lansing, owner of the center. "I'm a simple guy trying to help
people and make a living while doing so."

Panessidi said the center will help patients retrieve a legal
physician's certification if they come in with the proper medical
records. The certification is required by the state if a patient
applies for the medical marijuana card.

Many patients have dealt with rejection from a previous doctor, he said.

As long as the patient signs a consent form, it's legal for the
center to retrieve a patient's medical records, said James McCurtis,
a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

But the state has concerns about the center pairing patients with its
physicians "just so the doctors can do a quick evaluation and then
recommend medical marijuana."

"A patient and doctor should have an established relationship,"
McCurtis added. "A patient should discuss the pros and cons with
their regular doctor, not going to see a doctor that is the
equivalent of going to a drive-in."

Panessidi said the center's goal is to teach and educate people about
medical marijuana, something he believes the state falls short at doing.

The drug, he said, is not for everyone and should only be used for
legal purposes. People with "serious ailments" can seek medical
marijuana as an alternative to over-prescribed narcotics, Panessidi said.

The center sells vaporizers, hydroponic equipment and can set up grow rooms.

Vaporizing extracts the essential oils from the marijuana and turns
it into a vapor that can be inhaled. The oils can also be extracted
and incorporated into a variety of edible products like ganja butter.

Details: www.MichiganWellnessCenter.com.