News » Michigan Court Rules Dispensary Sales Illegal





The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled medical marijuana cannot be sold through dispensaries, providing a setback in medical marijuana advocacy.

The ruling means that medical marijuana patients in the state will be forced to grow their own plants, which is impossible for some chronically ill patients. The case involved Compassionate Apothecary or Mount Pleasant, MI where patients with state-issued medical marijuana cards sold to each other, however will affect dispensaries across the state.

Medical marijuana advocates contend a court ruling that says dispensary sales are illegal deals a huge blow to sick people unable to grow their own plants.

“There’s a secondary effect to this ruling and that is caregivers have to provide their service for free,” said Rick Thompson, spokesman for the Michigan Association for Compassion Centers. “The most important thing is patients who can’t grow for themselves will never find someone to grow for them.

“If you are elderly or you have a disease that doesn’t let you leave home, like Chrohn’s or IBS, you are basically squeezed out of the medical marijuana program by your disability. Or, you’re forced to go down to the corner in the dark of night to score pot.”

Many patients will be forced to obtain their medicine through the black market, Thompson said. Although one justice did seem to understand, Thompson feels that the ruling was politically motivated.

[source Daily Tribune]

Tags: Compassionate Apothecary, Michigan, Michigan Association for Compassion Centers, Mount Pleasant, Rick Thompson