http://www.livingstondaily.com/arti...ana-law?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Frontpage|s
In response to your recent editorial "Medical marijuana rules must reflect the voters' intent:"
The Michigan medical marijuana law was sold to voters in 2008 as a way to help a narrow group of seriously ill people. The people of Michigan have generous hearts and intended to help people truly in need. However, three years later, it is clear the intention of the law's writers was to institute a system so vague that almost anything goes. As a result, we face risks to public safety that the voters could not have anticipated.
People I meet as I travel the state tell me they were in favor of helping seriously ill people but did not intend to have pot shops across the street from schools, churches and homes. They did not intend to create a law allowing drivers to threaten the safety of our families by operating a motor vehicle after smoking marijuana, as has been ruled in one case.
It was not their intent to create a law so vaguely worded that criminals are trying to take advantage and line their own pockets. In fact, the list of unintentional side effects from this drug law is growing by the day, creating a mess for law enforcement, the courts and families now raising their children near multiple drug houses.
As your attorney general, my first priority is to protect public safety. The vague nature of this law demands that we work to clean it up, not look the other way when people violate the few clearly defined parts of the law as is alleged in Livingston County.
Voters were promised this law would simply offer a helping hand to the seriously ill. Three years later, when a vast majority of marijuana card holders failed to identify a serious illness like cancer, it is clear those promises have gone up in smoke. That is why I am seeking to close loopholes and clarify the law though the courts and the Legislature.
I will continue to do so until Michigan law enforcement authorities feel public safety is no longer at risk and the voters' intention to lend a helping hand to a narrow group of seriously ill people is reflected in the implementation of the law.
Bill Schuette is Michigan attorney
general.
In response to your recent editorial "Medical marijuana rules must reflect the voters' intent:"
The Michigan medical marijuana law was sold to voters in 2008 as a way to help a narrow group of seriously ill people. The people of Michigan have generous hearts and intended to help people truly in need. However, three years later, it is clear the intention of the law's writers was to institute a system so vague that almost anything goes. As a result, we face risks to public safety that the voters could not have anticipated.
People I meet as I travel the state tell me they were in favor of helping seriously ill people but did not intend to have pot shops across the street from schools, churches and homes. They did not intend to create a law allowing drivers to threaten the safety of our families by operating a motor vehicle after smoking marijuana, as has been ruled in one case.
It was not their intent to create a law so vaguely worded that criminals are trying to take advantage and line their own pockets. In fact, the list of unintentional side effects from this drug law is growing by the day, creating a mess for law enforcement, the courts and families now raising their children near multiple drug houses.
As your attorney general, my first priority is to protect public safety. The vague nature of this law demands that we work to clean it up, not look the other way when people violate the few clearly defined parts of the law as is alleged in Livingston County.
Voters were promised this law would simply offer a helping hand to the seriously ill. Three years later, when a vast majority of marijuana card holders failed to identify a serious illness like cancer, it is clear those promises have gone up in smoke. That is why I am seeking to close loopholes and clarify the law though the courts and the Legislature.
I will continue to do so until Michigan law enforcement authorities feel public safety is no longer at risk and the voters' intention to lend a helping hand to a narrow group of seriously ill people is reflected in the implementation of the law.
Bill Schuette is Michigan attorney
general.
