LANSING, MI -- Marijuana companies are asking Michigan’s governor to classify marijuana an “essential item” and to allow doctors to certify medical marijuana patients over the phone during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Today we sent a letter to (Gov. Gretchen Whitmer) and her administration advocating that cannabis be deemed an essential item and that recommending physicians be permitted to see patients via telecommunications,”the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, a group of nearly 200 licensed marijuana businesses, posted on its website Wednesday, March 18. “Initial indications are that our letter is well received and we will continue to update you on our progress.”

The association argues that marijuana is useful to “reduce anxiety and stress” and offers sick patients an alternative to doctor appointments or the hospital.

“Our medical system needs to be available to prioritize the coronavirus pandemic and must not be bombarded by medical marijuana patients returning for traditional treatment,” the letter to Whitmer said.

“To further reduce the risk of exposure we respectfully request that the state swiftly allow physicians to evaluate patients and write recommendations for both new medical marijuana patients and renewing patients using telecommunications,” the letter said. “This action which is not currently available to us will help flatten the curve by keeping our most vulnerable patients at home.”

As of February, Michigan had 264,147 registered medical marijuana patients and 35,693 registered caregivers, according to the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency.

In order to maintain marijuana access while observing a Centers for Disease Control recommendation that everyone observe “social distancing,” the Marijuana Regulatory Agency is temporarily allowing marijuana retailers, recreational and medical, to make curbside sales and committed to expediting new applications for home delivery licenses.

San Francisco currently under a “shelter-in-place” order that allows residents to leave their homes only for “essential" reasons or items, such as to shop at a grocery store or get medication from the pharmacy. It temporarily shut down the city’s marijuana retailers but later reversed the decision and acknowledged the “essential” medicinal value of marijuana.

Michigan’s governor hasn’t ruled out the possibility of issuing her own shelter-in-place order.

“There could be a time that we might take that step,” Whitmer said during a press conference Wednesday, “but at this juncture there is nothing that I am announcing on that front today or that’s in the works.”

Whitmer on Wednesday said Michigan had confirmed more than 100 cases of the coronavirus, including one death.

Michigan’s first coronavirus fatality involved a man in his 50s who died at Beaumont Hospital in Wayne County Wednesday morning. Beaumont Health reported that the man had other underlying medical conditions.

As of Tuesday, March 17, the Centers for Disease Control had recorded 7,038 cases and 97 deaths nationwide.

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Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

· Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

· Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

· Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

· Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces(computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

· It’s not too late to get your flu shot! While the influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

Read more on MLive:

Complete coverage at mlive.com/coronavirus

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