Michigan

What to Expect from the Cannabis Industry in 2019

As people around the world ring in the new year, it is important that…

Recently Passed Michigan Cannabis Legalization Takes Effect

The Michigan cannabis legalization measure that took effect Thursday passed with more than 56% of the vote during the 2018 midterm elections.

Industrial Hemp Ban Could Be Lifted Soon Says Senator McConnell

One piece of a possible new Farm Bill that many are interested in is language that would lift the federal government’s industrial hemp ban.

Aurora Cannabis Stocks Surge Over Last Twelve Months

Aurora Cannabis stocks, like other major cannabis companies Constellation and Tilray, are very hot among cannabis investors.

Cannabis Ballot Measures of Importance on Election Day

Cannabis ballot measures are being voted on by citizens in Michigan, North Dakota, Utah, and Missouri on midterm election day.

Fate of Michigan Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Determined by State Board

Michigan Medical Marijuana Board votes on September 12, 2017 on whether to close all marijuana dispensaries for the rest of 2017. Read more about the impact.

Seven Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Were Raided By Law Enforcement

Law enforcement seized money & products from Michigan dispensaries. The Narcotics Enforcement Team claimed the dispensaries were conducting illegal sales.

Crackdown Looms for Detroit's Booming Medical Marijuana Business

Detroit’s medical marijuana dispensaries may be closed by officials A crackdown is looming for…

Irvin Rosenfeld HB 5470 Michigan Medical Marijuana Testimony

Irvin Rosenfeld, one of five US medical marijuana patients legal at the federal level,…

Michigan Medical Marijuana Patient Denied Medical Facility Despite Judge's Recommendation

53-year-old transplant patient Jerry Duval recently received a federal surrender order to serve out…

Medical Marijuana Debate Rages on in Local Live Broadcast

By Monica Mercer |  Published in Patch.com Shrill laughter by card-carrying medical marijuana users…

40 years of Hash Bash: Marijuana festival started in 1972 in Ann Arbor stands test of time

As the story of the first Hash Bash is told, the state’s new marijuana statute wasn’t going to take effect until after the weekend, so for a brief time there was no cannabis law on the books.

“We kind of wanted to have the Hash Bash to defy this law,” Sinclair recalled, adding that’s when the state reclassified marijuana as a controlled substance and lowered the penalties for possession from 10 years to one year, and for sales from 20-to-life to four years. “We didn’t think that was far enough.”

Sinclair and others got behind two candidates from the Human Rights Party who were elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in April 1972. They quickly spearheaded an effort to reduce the city penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana to a $5 civil infraction, essentially decriminalizing weed in Ann Arbor. That remains the case today, except it’s now a $25 ticket for first offenses.

“That totally changed the scene in Ann Arbor, to the point that I know people who used to walk up to cops and try to get that ticket written, and you couldn’t get a cop to write that $5 ticket,” said Adam Brook, organizer of the Hash Bash for the past 20 years.

Thousands are expected to descend on the Diag on Saturday for the 40th annual Hash Bash. As in years past, the rally starts at high noon and goes until 1 p.m., then spills over to the Monroe Street Fair where live music and vending are on tap. Later in the evening, Sinclair is expected to perform poetry and music with the Macpodz at the Blind Pig.

Regulations Covering Medical Marijuana Vary in 15 States

By Tracy Breton | Published in The Providence Journal Fifteen states plus the District of…

Born With Nail Patella Syndrome

As a result of using cannabis therapeutically, my health has benefited immensely. Not only the opiate medications tend to keep me, during the winter months, kind of bed ridden.

Really the reasons my life has improved are multifaceted. Some of the main areas are my health and diet has increased as the result of my therapeutic use of cannabis. Because of the research associated with cannabis, and I felt the research was right or else I would not have continued in my advocacy and activism. It has proven to be more and more true as the research continues to come out like this Patients out of time Conference.

Michigan Medical Marijuana Act: The First 24-Months

The Michigan Legislature passed the MMA on December 4, 2008, making Michigan the 13th state to allow the cultivation and possession of marijuana for medical purposes. The Act cited a series of findings related to the beneficial uses of marijuana in treating nausea, pain and other effects from a variety of debilitating medical conditions. The Act also notes that according to the FBI, 99% of all marijuana possession arrests nationwide are done pursuant to state, rather than federal law. It is important to note that possession of the drug remains illegal under federal law.

Medical Marijuana Zone Plan Moves Forward

Medical marijuana patients would be able to use the drug in private clubs under the latest version of a proposed city ordinance.

The Battle Creek Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended changing the city’s zoning rules to allow growing marijuana for medicinal use in certain commercial zones.

Compassion clubs, operations that provide support services for medical marijuana patients, would be allowed in some zones and would give patients a second place to use their medicine besides their homes.

Ann Arbor Officials Continue to Wade Through Haze of Medical Marijuana Policy

ANN ARBOR — Should Ann Arbor require medical marijuana dispensaries to be set up as nonprofit organizations that give back to the community? Should the city require inspections for dispensaries, enforce “purity standards” and require all pot to be “locally grown”? Those were among the questions asked by city officials Monday night as the Ann Arbor City Council took up a new medical marijuana ordinance for the first time.

Lansing council passes medical marijuana ordinance

The Lansing City Council on Monday passed a medical marijuana ordinance to permit the administering of the drug as a home occupation. Shaped by the input of both medical marijuana patients and concerned parents, Lansing’s ordinance would mandate at least 1,000 feet between certain institutions and addresses of those authorized by law to transfer, distribute or administer medical marijuana to patients. Those institutions include public and private schools and colleges, substance abuse prevention services, playgrounds and churches.

Schneider: Sparrow will amend medical marijuana user's records

LANSING, MI – On June 29 I told you about Jennifer Maxey and her 16-year-old son, Austin. Maxey believed Austin, who uses medical cannabis to treat his chronic pain, was a victim of anti-marijuana prejudice at Sparrow Hospital in May. Maxey, who lives in Lansing, demanded that Austin’s medical records be purged of prejudicial notes made by the attending doctor – implications that Austin was a drug abuser, perhaps in need of rehab. If allowed to stand, Maxey reasoned, the comments would follow her son the rest of his life, and possibly influence the quality of treatment he received. Well, Maxey prevailed – sort of. She got a call last week from somebody in Sparrow’s Risk Management Department. Said Maxey: “She informed me that the corrections that I requested … are being completed.”

Lansing mom says son's legal marijuana use unfairly stigmatized

As Jennifer Maxey describes it, medical marijuana has been a godsend for her 16-year-old son, Austin.

Austin has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by chronic pain.

In the hope of getting Austin off the debilitating pain killers he was taking, Maxey decided to try medicinal cannabis, legalized by Michigan voters in 2008. She went through the necessary steps, getting written certification from Austin’s doctor, then a medical marijuana registry identification card from state Department of Community Health.

Austin started using marijuana – less than a gram a week (there are about 28 grams in an ounce) – in March. Maxey, who lives in Lansing, buys pre-made muffins, candy and oil from the designated caregiver.

Maxey described the result as “phenomenal.”

“He’s a completely different child,” the mother said. “He used to be a recluse; now he asks to go places with me.”

KALAMAZOO SEMINAR ADDRESSES COMPREHENSIVE DEMANDS FOR EDUCATION IN MARIJUANA LAW AND SCIENCE

The Science and Compassionate Care Seminar, presented by 420 University, has extended its speaker presentations to address comprehensive issues in medical marijuana education during its two-day industry conference on July 10 – 11 in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Due to the surge of interest in medical cannabis, an increasingly broad number of industries are witnessing rising demands for continuing education focused on cannabis law and science. Professionals in the 14 states where medical cannabis is now legal must work fast to catch up on information relevant to their careers, clients, and patients.