SENATE PANEL APPROVES BAN ON MARIJUANA BARS, CLUBS

Lansing, MI - Legislation banning the organization and operation of
marijuana bars and clubs in Michigan was approved by a Senate panel
Thursday.

Senate Bill 17, which would prohibit marijuana bars or clubs from
forming, was approved by the Senate Health Policy Committee and now
heads to the full Senate.

"Nobody should be using medical marijuana and then getting in a car
and driving away," said sponsor Sen. Rick Jones, who represents
Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties. "Lots of people use prescription
vicodin for pain, but we don't have vicodin clubs. My measure will
help ensure that people using medical marijuana do so more safely."

The bill defines marijuana bars and clubs as property where medical
marijuana is used for a paid fee. Violators of the proposed law would
be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in prison or a
maximum fine of $500.