Title:
Good and bad news in Michigan
Message:
Early this morning, the Michigan Senate passed legislation adding restrictions to Michigan’s medical marijuana law. The bills had already passed the House, and now head to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk. Call Gov. Snyder to ask him to veto these bills.
There is some good news in the bills. Language in HB 4834 that gave law enforcement officials unfettered access to the medical marijuana patient registry was removed thanks to objections from patients and advocates. Registry cards will now expire after two years, and a new commission will consider adding to the list of debilitating medical conditions.
Unfortunately, the good news ends there. HB 4856 requires medical marijuana to be carried in the trunk of a vehicle or some place “inaccessible from the interior of the vehicle,” if there’s no trunk, which could ensnare many patients unfamiliar with this new law. HB 4851 puts new limits on when doctors can recommend marijuana, and a provision in HB 4834 requires patients to carry photo ID with them in order to be protected from arrest
Again, call Gov. Snyder and ask him to veto these bills. Barring a veto, they will take effect April 1, 2013. We’ll send a reminder when they do.
