Michigan's attorney general believes pot profiteers are taking advantage of the state's medical marijuana law.
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LANSING, MICH. -- Michigan's "abused, exploited and hijacked" medical marijuana law has Attorney General Bill Schuette vying for changes, a move that could impact Ohio medical marijuana advocates' attempts at placing a Constitutional amendment on the November 2012 ballot.
"This law has as many holes as Swiss cheese," Schuette said to the Detroit Free Press. "It's out of control, and we need to fix it."
Schuette said the law, which was intended to provide pain relief to people with terminal, debilitating and chronic diseases, has several loopholes that allow pot profiteers to thrive in the state.
At a recent press conference, Schuette introduced several bills to change the legislation, including prohibiting felons from becoming certified caregivers, establishing penalties for doctors who falsely certify a patient's condition, clarifying the definition of debilitating medical condition and prohibiting driving under the influence of any amount of marijuana.
Schuette also wants every certificate to have a photo ID and to prohibit dispensaries near schools and day care centers.
"We have a goal of protecting public safety while preserving the legitimate right of people who need medical marijuana," said state Rep. John Walsh, R-Livonia.
Marijuana law advocates criticized Schuette's press conference for not inviting any of the debilitated people who "need medical marijuana."
Many of the bills require a three-fourths majority vote in the state House and Senate in order to change the law.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected the Ohio Patients Network's first round of signatures on a petition summarizing the proposed medical marijuana amendment. The group continues to pursue the amendment and plans to submit more signatures in the coming months.
Do you think Attorney General Schuette is looking out for the best interest of Michiganians, or does he only want to get rid of the controversial law in his state? Weigh in below and on our Facebook page.
Read more: Detroit Free Press
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