Title:
Re: Good and bad news in Michigan
Message:
It's important that patients have accurate information about the bills that the Michigan Legislature just passed and Gov. Snyder recently signed relating to medical marijuana. It was previously understood that the effective date of these bills would be April 1, and for most of them that still is the case. However, one of the bills - HB 4834 - has an immediate effective date. That means that as of now, patients carrying marijuana in their vehicle must keep it in a case that is either in the trunk of the vehicle or, if there is no trunk, not readily accessible from the interior of the vehicle. If you have any questions about this or any of the other bills recently passed, we've compiled a handy summary here (PDF).
Sent: December 14, 2012
Subject: Good and bad news in Michigan
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.
