ABUSE OF MARIJUANA LAW MAKES IT HARDER FOR EVERYONE

The State of Michigan offers a unique opportunity for those who suffer
from debilitating illnesses or pain to use an alternative form of
relief: medical marijuana.

But unfortunately for the law-abiding users, those who are selling or
using outside the restrictions set within medical marijuana card
guidelines are giving all users a bad reputation.

Voters approved the law in 2008. According to the Michigan Department
of Community Health, 111,451 original and renewal applications have
been received since April 6, 2009; the 12,090 applications denied were
mostly completed incorrectly or missing documentation.

That means less than 11 percent of applications so far have been
denied, validating concerns many citizens have expressed that far too
many applicants receive the cards. That does not mean, of course, that
all applicants are potheads who want a free pass to smoke whenever
they want. Most suffer from chronic pain or cancer; some are
terminally ill or want a natural alternative to chemotherapy.

The number of cardholders who have abused the growing and selling
restrictions is far too high, particularly locally in Cass County.
Cardholders are permitted to possess 12 plants per patient and 2.5
ounces of marijuana per patient.

But when the sheriff's department conducts fly-overs and finds fields
of the green plant in back yards; when cardholders are selling to
non-cardholders; when even owners of medical marijuana clinics are
being charged with multiple felonies, as Sean Erhard of Berrien
Township is -- it ruins it for everyone.

Those who follow the rules will begin to fear using, buying and
growing. They will not want to be associated with a drug that may
inadvertently get them in trouble. Who knows if your grower is legit?
Is law enforcement going to watch your every move?

Enforcement of the law is also rather unclear, particularly since the
law is rather new and unfamiliar to most states. What happens if a
cardholder is arrested and jailed? Can he or she obtain access to
marijuana while behind bars? What happens if a grower produces a fake
card and poses as legit, selling to unsuspecting buyers? Many of these
questions have yet to be answered, and local and county law
enforcement are not always on the same page in regard to procedure.

While the medical marijuana law could use some fine-tuning, it has
changed the lives of thousands of Michigan residents, most for the
better, some not. But taking advantage of the law will tarnish its
reputation, making a good idea go bad.