MARIJUANA BARS AND CLUBS ARE NOT NEEDED

Legislature Should Pass Bill to Prohibit Such Ventures

A bill to prohibit marijuana bars and marijuana clubs in Michigan should pass.

Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, the bill would make
operation of such facilities a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine,
90 days in jail or both.

The LSJ Editorial Board has not always supported Jones' bills, but
this proposal makes sense.

Citizens were clear in 2008 when they passed the law permitting
medical marijuana and setting up a system for authorizing patients
and licensing caregivers.

The LSJ Editorial Board has urged caution as local communities look
for ways to regulate marijuana-related businesses, especially
dispensaries where patients can go to purchase various forms of the
drug. Many communities, including Lansing, have put moratoriums on
such businesses in place while they work through the various legal
issues of how to regulate them.

Jones' bill does not include dispensaries. Indeed, it specifically
exempts "property where marijuana is legally dispensed under the
Michigan Medical Marijuana Act." Also exempted are licensed hospices,
nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities.

The bill defines a marijuana "bar" as a "property where an individual
is allowed to use marijuana under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act
if the use of marijuana on the property is conditioned on the payment
of a fee." It defines a marijuana "club" as "an association of
individuals with membership restricted to those who pay money or any
other thing of value to become members, the purpose of which is to
allow more than one individual to use marijuana under the Michigan
Medical Marijuana Act."

Jones' bill is reasonably narrow and focused. Indeed, even some who
advocate for medical marijuana patients and caregivers believe there
is room for such restrictions.

The idea that patients need to gather to consume medication seems odd.

There are no "clubs" or "bars" for people who have been prescribed
hydrocodone, for example.

Since marijuana use can impair driving ability, clubs or bars that
encourage use of the drug away from home could be encouraging
reckless behavior.

Some would argue that those drivers can be held accountable without
prohibiting such businesses, but tests for marijuana are not as
precise as those for alcohol, making it difficult to determine level
of impairment.

There are good reasons to prohibit these establishments. The bill should pass.