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Cooper Brown

Update on Medical Marijuana Issues in Michigan

michigan

While the coastal areas of New York and California have dominated marijuana reform news lately, we would like to turn our attention today toward the middle of the country.  Michigan approved medical marijuana legislation in 2008 and though Attorney General Bill Schuette has sought to bring an end to the program, advocates have rallied to ensure patient safety.

There was a major landmark court decision issued recently by the Michigan Supreme Court.  In a unanimous decision the court upheld a voter approved statute that would protect patients even if they have not applied for a medical marijuana card.  However, they would need a previous recommendation from a physician.  The current decision stems from lower cases where individuals were arrested for marijuana possession but should have been protected under the voter approved law.  Karen O’Keefe, an attorney with the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) was pleased with the victory.  MPP sponsored the initiative to get Michigan’s medical marijuana program passed.  Ms. O’Keefe did urge patients to register in order to avoid the stress of being arrested and any legal fees associated with it.  However, the victory is huge and patients can seek relief quicker as they can get their recommendation and start medicating as they wait on their paperwork to be processed.

Another interesting development in Michigan has to do with the medical marijuana program’s inclusion of 44 minors under the age of 18.  For many this is controversial at best, and maybe even downright wrong.  However, we must ask ourselves if there would be any attention paid to these children if they were taking highly addictive opiates in order to combat pain.  The Detroit Free Press recently ran an article that focuses on Cooper Brown, a 14 year old who is a Michigan cardholder and uses marijuana to relieve complications associated with Dravet Syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy that is untraceable and begins in infancy).  Cooper’s mother, Rebecca Brown, says that his seizures have drastically reduced since he began using marijuana.  In line with the growing trend, Rebecca relies on laboratories to select strains that are low in THC and high CBD (the cannabinoid associated with pain relief without feeling “stoned”).  She does not permit him to smoke it and, instead, prepares it in his food.

Rebecca and Cooper highlight just how desperate the need for medical marijuana regulation is.  Though Rebecca seems capable of selecting her son’s medicine, there should be much more information and professional recommendations available.  The time for simply dismissing marijuana as taboo is not a luxury Rebecca Brown can afford.  Her son needs help and a lack of information on the subject is simply unacceptable.  Thankfully they live in Michigan where the Supreme Court’s decision and Cooper’s situation show that patients are still a high priority.

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