ATTORNEY TO SPEAK ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA WEDNESDAY IN HIGHLAND

An attorney whose specialities include medical marijuana rights will
discuss Michigan's Medical Marihuana Act and related federal
regulations this Wednesday at the Hydro Vision store in Highland.

The free event is open to the public, and runs 7-9 p.m.

"I hope people who are growers come, and caregivers and (medical
marijuana) patients come," said Denise Pollicella, a Howell-based attorney.

"I also want people who are 100 percent against the (medical
marijuana) law to come. I've met very few who are against it and
those who are can't give a reason why except that 'it's against the
law' -- which just doesn't cut it," she said.

Pollicella has been a practicing attorney for 15 years, specializing
in corporate and business transactions law as well as commercial real
estate law. She said she added medical marijuana law to her practice
in 2010 due to the legislative and administrative backlash that
followed the 2008 voter approved constitutional referendum for
medical marijuana use.

"I didn't get into it because it's marijuana. I got into it because
63 percent of voters in the state of Michigan voted for (medical
marijuana) -- and then a very few people in power said they don't
think we should have that right," she said.

Among her talking points Wednesday will be discussion of a recent
state Appellate Court decision on a civil case involving an Isabella
County medical marijuana dispensary and patient-to-patient sales of
medical marijuana. The decision has some people mistakenly believing
medical marijuana dispensaries are illegal, she said.

"The court did not address patient-to-patient uncompensated transfer
and it did not address patient-to-caregiver transactions," Pollicella said.

People are mistaken to believe the decision outlaws medical marijuana
dispensaries, she said, adding, "there are some business models --
ways to operate -- that don't violate the existing law."

Hydro Vision is at 2858 E. Highland, at the southwest corner of E.
Highland (M-59) and Duck Lake roads. Phone (248) 714-5556.