Michigan medical marijuana patients are in a fight for their lives.
Despite the fact that an overwhelming 63 percent of voters approved their medical marijuana law in 2008 — winning every county in the state — lawmakers have unaccountably decided to ignore the will of the people who elected them.
Now circulating in the Michigan Legislature is badly written legislation which would, in effect, gut the law approved by the people four years ago. Things are so bad that activist Joe Cain, CEO of the National Medical Marijuana Association, is calling it the the “Last Stand of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.”
“The politicians are claiming that patients and caregivers have approved the bills,” Cain told Toke of the Town on Wednesday. “Nothing could be farther from the truth.”
Joe Cain, National Medical Marijuana Association: “The simple truth is the government has targeted the sick since the day the law passed”
“Patients opposed these bills in both chambers of the Legislature with their forceful and compassionate testimony,” Cain told us. “The truth is these bills will make it much easier to identify and arrest the sick and their caregivers.
“The simple truth is the government has targeted the sick since the day the law passed,” Cain said. “They have slandered, libeled, persecuted, arrested and thrown us in prison. They have played legal scrabble with the wording of the Act.
“Now they are poised to overthrow the will of the people to legalize the abuse that has heaped upon the innocent,” Cain said. “We must defend ourselves or accept the warped justice of the Michigan Legislature.”
“Everyone should assemble on the front steps of the Capitol building on September 19, 2012 at High Noon to oppose this tyranny,” Cain said.
“No matter how long the fight, we will stop them from hurting sick people!” Cain said.
Here are the problem pieces of legislation currently before the Michigan Legislature that must be watched closely, according to Cain:
HB 4851 of 2011 House Bill Health; medical marihuana; definition of “bona fide physician-patient relationship”; clarify. Amends sec. 3 of 2008 IL 1 (MCL 333.26423).
Last Action: 05/08/2012 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
HB 4834 of 2011 House Bill Health; medical marihuana; photograph on medical marihuana card; require. Amends sec. 6 of 2008 IL 1 (MCL 333.26426).
Last Action: 05/08/2012 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
HB 4853 of 2011 House Bill Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of selling or providing medical marihuana to unprescribed user; implement. Amends sec. 13n, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13n).
Last Action: 05/08/2012 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
SB 0504 of 2011 Senate Bill Health; medical marihuana; dispensing medical marihuana within 1,000 feet of a church or school; prohibit. Amends sec. 4 of 2008 IL 1 (MCL 333.26424).
Last Action: 06/29/2011 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
SB 0505 of 2011 Senate Bill Health; medical marihuana; qualification for designation as primary caregiver; establish. Amends sec. 6 of 2008 IL 1 (MCL 333.26426).Last Action: 05/08/2012 – PASSED BY 3/4 VOTE ROLL CALL # 313 YEAS 35 NAYS 2 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0
Cain invites Toke of the Town readers to sign a petition asking the Governor of Michigan to implement the will of the people and stop abusing the sick. You can sign the petition by visiting Change.org here.
In 2008 the voters of the state of Michigan approved an initiative that was suppose to protect the sick and dying from arrest. This initiative also offered protection for those who served as caregivers. Almost immediately law enforcement, prosecutors, the courts and politicians began to undermine the Act. Raids were conducted. The sick were brutalized during arrest and raids, They were used as test cases. Their property seized. Thrown in prison. Some have even been killed. In defiance of the people the law has never been implemented. Had it been implemented the government would have everything they need to operate an efficient program.
The government stands ready to override a people’s initiative without having ever implementing the original act. These politicians hold the voters in contempt and are substituting their will for that of the voters. It is time for this tyranny to stop. The government should immediately table all legislation and implement the will of the people. The government is currently ignoring the constitution and purposely hurting the sick. We demand these abuses cease immediately. Implement the law and quit bullying the sick and depriving the voters of their rights.