Lawmakers try to tighten the reigns on medical marijuana
Posted: 06.28.2011 at 2:32 PM
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LANSING (AP) -- Republicans in the Michigan Legislature want to clarify the state's law related to growing and selling medical marijuana in the state.

Michigan voters approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes in 2008. Law enforcement personnel, local communities, courts and some patients since have been locked in disputes about what's legal and what isn't.

The proposed changes detailed Tuesday would require stricter doctor-patient relationships before a patient could get authorization to use marijuana. Other provisions could result in fewer medical marijuana dispensaries.

Michigan allows marijuana to be used to alleviate the symptoms of certain illnesses if someone sees a doctor and gets a state-issued card. People can possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of ready-to-use marijuana and have up to 12 plants in a locked area.

Attorney General Bill Schuette is intervening to help communities control dispensaries.  Schuette declared "marijuana farms" illegal.  The Attorney General announced the new effort Tuesday stating that there is a growing public safety issue associated with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.

"Michigan voters didn't count on pot shops springing up across from their schools and churches," said Schuette.  "That's why I'm taking action today to support local governments' authority to protect their communities."

More information on Attorney General Schuette's opinion can be found by CLICKING HERE.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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