Members of the Michigan legislature are considering several bills that would amend the state’s medical marijuana law. One bill would create a database of marijuana license holders. Another would ban marijuana dispensaries from operating within 1,000 feet of schools and churches. A third would bar citizens from suing cities that restrict or ban marijuana dispensaries.
State Senators John Proos and Rick Jones are each sponsors of different bills that amend the act. Senator Proos says the changes to the Medical Marijuana Act are necessary:
“Unfortunately, what that particular amendment to the constitution did is left open all of the other questions and concerns in our local municipalities and with law enforcement to understand who legally possesses the right the federal government still considers it a narcotic or a schedule one drug.
And State Senator Rick Jones says “The Michigan voters were duped into thinking they were voting for marijuana for senior citizens in great pain or perhaps suffering from cancer and cancer treatment and needing marijuana.”
The legislation mirrors a national trend. A spokesman for a medical marijuana advocacy group says lawmakers across the country are working to restrict voter-initiated laws. Michigan passed the Medical Marihuana Act in 2008.
-Bridget Bodnar, Michigan Radio News
