Michigan Politician and Their Stance on Marijuana

Ok, I went to my very first caucus last night. The R people running for state senate and state congress were not there, the only ones there were running for Attorney General and Secretary of State. Canidates running for office were not really available to me since they were looking to cozy up to party delegates (I'm not one) and I did not have a chance to see what they thought. If you didn't have a delegate badge you were toast.

Now that I know how the caucuses are run I won't be going to the D's, it would be a waste of time. I'm going to wait for them to start with their road shows and then I start asking them where they stand.

As promised, I won't go into politics except for how it applies to MMJ.

On a non-party political front... WE MUST STOP THIS!

I'm pretty sure all of you know that the FEDS are trying to get all driver licenses to have embedded unencrypted RFID (radio frequency ID) tags (I did my homework and yes they will be unencrypted). If the FEDS get this our driver's licenses will be able to be read from 30 feet away and anyone with a reader will be able to know everything about us.

The intent is that, ultimately, everything about us will be on our driver's licenses. If they get their way evenutally we will need a RFID driver license to get health care, prescriptions, your doctors note will be available, have you ever be convicted of a crime, etc, it will all be there.

But the really scary thing is they could put readers on street corners and track where you go. Let's take this to the next step. It has been acknowledged that these licenses can be read from 30'. How about it being read as you are driving down the street. Don't think that is possible? Ask anyone who has an izoom or ez pass account for toll roads. Imagine a police officer with a reader at a concert, your kids graduation, state park, liquor store, or sitting outside a compassion club.

RFID readers are not controlled and anyone can buy one. So I could purchase a reader and walk up to your front door and I would know if you are home (great thing for thieves) or who is inside visiting you. The list of things you can think of for these is incredible.

We as a group believe in freedom, at least I think we do. SO WHO WE CHOOSE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. Terri Lynn Land has already told the FEDS that we will be (and we are along with 2 other states) part of the initial setup and MI is now offering this new type of license. It is in the driver's license that are being used for border crossings. The FEDS want ALL of us to carry this license.

There are no regulations on what they do with the information they acquire. In my mind this is the new frontier and it is up to us to stop this before it is fully implimented. This year your vote will count immeasurably, this year VOTE for freedom.

ganja girl said:

On a non-party political front... WE MUST STOP THIS!

I'm pretty sure all of you know that the FEDS are trying to get all driver licenses to have embedded unencrypted RFID (radio frequency ID) tags (I did my homework and yes they will be unencrypted). If the FEDS get this our driver's licenses will be able to be read from 30 feet away and anyone with a reader will be able to know everything about us.

The intent is that, ultimately, everything about us will be on our driver's licenses. If they get their way evenutally we will need a RFID driver license to get health care, prescriptions, your doctors note will be available, have you ever be convicted of a crime, etc, it will all be there.

But the really scary thing is they could put readers on street corners and track where you go. Let's take this to the next step. It has been acknowledged that these licenses can be read from 30'. How about it being read as you are driving down the street. Don't think that is possible? Ask anyone who has an izoom or ez pass account for toll roads. Imagine a police officer with a reader at a concert, your kids graduation, state park, liquor store, or sitting outside a compassion club.

RFID readers are not controlled and anyone can buy one. So I could purchase a reader and walk up to your front door and I would know if you are home (great thing for thieves) or who is inside visiting you. The list of things you can think of for these is incredible.

We as a group believe in freedom, at least I think we do. SO WHO WE CHOOSE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. Terri Lynn Land has already told the FEDS that we will be (and we are along with 2 other states) part of the initial setup and MI is now offering this new type of license. It is in the driver's license that are being used for border crossings. The FEDS want ALL of us to carry this license.

There are no regulations on what they do with the information they acquire. In my mind this is the new frontier and it is up to us to stop this before it is fully implimented. This year your vote will count immeasurably, this year VOTE for freedom.

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My friend made a point- What if a rapist where to walk up to your front door and he knew only your wife was home alone!!!

http://www.oakgov.com/about/news/2010/pr_10_79.html


You are here: News >
Press Release

Oakland County Shares Medical Marijuana Law Survey with Local Communities

Public Date: 08/12/2010
Contact: Bill Mullan, Media and Communications Officer
Phone Number: 248-858-1048
Pontiac, Michigan -– Oakland County is working to share information surrounding Michigan's Medical Marijuana Law with local cities, villages and townships. At the direction of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, the county's Office of Corporation Counsel conducted a survey and analysis of various local approaches to address the new law and is sharing the information with every community in Oakland County.
"The general consensus is that the Medical Marijuana Law leaves much to be desired as the law and implementing regulations do not describe how marijuana will be lawfully dispensed," wrote Corporation Counsel Judith Cunningham in the memorandum sent to local officials. "The uncertainty involved in this topic is compounded by the fact that it remains a violation of federal law to distribute or sell marijuana."
Corporation Counsel discovered that communities in Oakland County and elsewhere are taking one of three approaches:

• Adopting a moratorium to study the issue. (This is the approach currently adopted by Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Royal Oak and Southfield; as well as Grand Rapids and Traverse City, among others.)
• Regulating the issue through local zoning ordinances and/or the issuance of permits. (This is the approach taken by Ferndale and Huntington Woods; as well as Roseville, Garden City and Niles.)
• Attempting to ban medical marijuana to the extent possible. (This is the approach taken by Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills; as well as Livonia.)

Patterson emphasized that it is up to each municipality to decide the appropriate approach for its jurisdiction. "I believe it is up to the residents of each community to set the standards under which they will live. Oakland County, however, will use its role as a leader among governments to summarize the choices under the Medical Marijuana Law."
For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Media and Communications Officer, at (24 858-1048.
See also: Medical Marijuana Memorandum to Cities, Villages and Townships from County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson (Aug. 9, 2010) (pdf file)

Since I live in SE Michigan I will be going to both state senate and state rep candidate meetings in my area-when I can.

Does anyone know how the governor candidates think on this subject?

Let the games begin. GG

Most if not all municipalities are against dispensary's, I am against dispensary's too, so that is just fine with me.
The Democratic candidate for Governor, Virg Bernero, backs the medical marihuana bill as written, not sure about Rick Schnieder, I have heard he supports us as well.
The critical one for us will be Attorney General. Dave Leyton, the Democrate supports us and invites us to his $100.00 lunches, he does need to raise money for the campaign, so no crime there. Bill Schutte, the possible Republican Candidate was the leader for the opposition to ballot proposal #1, yet he was a big toker back in the day. VV

He is not up for re-election and I believe he is term limited so he will be looking for a different seat, in 2012. He is past sheriff of Eaton county.

August 19, 2010
State Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, today introduced legislation to ban the marijuana bars and clubs that have popped up in Michigan since passage of the state's medical marijuana initiative, saying users should not be encouraged to drive on Michigan streets.
House Bill 6394 prohibits medical marijuana bars and clubs from operating anywhere in Michigan. The legislation imposes up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for violators. Jones introduced the measure after a marijuana club opened in Williamston.
"Marijuana users who patronize these clubs invariably will have to drive home, which puts the people of Michigan at tremendous risk," said Jones, a former county sheriff. "I believe Michigan voters intended for people in pain to use marijuana in the safety of their own homes, not in bars and clubs where they then car drive a car and endanger people's lives."
Jones earlier this year participated in a televised debate with the owner of the Williamston pot club. At that time, the lawmaker became convinced that the practice was a hazard to the public.
"When the medical marijuana initiative was passed, voters did not envision the creation of clubs where users could get high and then drive away, endangering people," Jones said. "I have no objection to pain relief for a true medical need, supervised by a real doctor. However, we do not need 'clubs' springing up in cities or next to schools."

He is a douche bag for sure, and an ex sheriff, he was debating with an unarmed man. It is hard to say you are just doing the lords work when you want $700+/oz. I would be glad to discuss the subject with him. VV

Please go to a meet the candidate forum and put him on the spot and hold his feet to the fire. I'm sure there is more than his stance on weed that is not citizen friendly.GG

VictorVIcious said:

He is a douche bag for sure, and an ex sheriff, he was debating with an unarmed man. It is hard to say you are just doing the lords work when you want $700+/oz. I would be glad to discuss the subject with him. VV

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If you don't like the way that Michigan is going then you need to read this!!!
Once again, I am not an R or a D. But, I do believe in following the constitution.

Geo. Soros backed Obama and he believes that socialism is the way we should go and that Michigan is ripe for the pickins'.

Geo. Soros has targeted Michigan Supreme Court again! Remember the ads for the sleeping justice? The person in the ad was not even a judge let alone Justice Taylor. Justice Taylor never slept on the bench. Special interests will rule our state unless we are aware of who and what they are.

This time Geo. Soros has targeted Supreme Court Justice Robert Young. Justice Young is a strict constitutionalist, which is what we want. He intreprets the laws, he has not and does not make law from the bench.

Geo Soros targeted our supreme court in the last election and now we have a court that legislates from the bench. They are now making laws not intrepreting them. Isn't writing and making laws something that the senate and congress should do? When you see the ads this election season - remember who is funding the candidates and what it is that you really want.

ganja girl said:

Please go to a meet the candidate forum and put him on the spot and hold his feet to the fire. I'm sure there is more than his stance on weed that is not citizen friendly.GG

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I put them 'on the spot' by just walking in to the meeting. I wear tank tops that say I AM NOT A CRIMINAL on the front and STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS on the back OR one that says Patients first on the front and Michigan Medical Marihuana Growers Association on the back.

The way I see Rick Jones and his bull, he is just trying tp get his name known, by proposing something he thinks is going to be easy. He debated Wayne Daggett, and heard the rev's views. This is a guy that bought $50,000.00 of 'medical marihuana' in a month, charging patients over $700.00/oz. I can understand why anyone that was not with us before would be 'against us' after meeting Rev. Daggitt.

Rick Jones needs some education, like almost anyone, you can not 'attack' them in public if your intention is to try and change their minds. Critize in private, praise in public. When you attack someone in public, it provokes a fight or flight response. You cannot change anyone's mind while you are fighting with them or when they are running to get away from you.

It is a 'fact' that the Sheriff of Ingham County, Gene Wrigglesworth had deputy's watching people leave the Rev's business, apparently the premise that we are dangerous drivers is invalid. Research done by our government and the Canadian Government will show that is the truth. Folks driving while they are 'high' seem to know that they are 'high', and adjust their driving speed to compensate. The Michigan Supreme Court recently reversed a decision, it is not sufficient in Michigan to show marijuana metabolites for a dui, they must 'prove impairment'. None of the 'dangers' that he is trying to find a cure for exist.

A few weeks ago Rick was talking about making a change to our law. Make it so no convicted felon could be a care giver. He must have found out that requires a 3/4 vote by both houses of our states Legislature, figured out that is not going to happen. He is just pulling a Keiper's, trying to get his name known Statewide in preparation for a House or Senate seat. He will get the same as Kuipers, he will lose in the primary. VV

Great thread Ganja Girl I am subbed for sure. Let me know if you ever want company for a political rally or meet, I am in the SE Oakland area. I love getting involved in politics. I called and got the address for L. Brooks someone suggested that I write to him to explain our stance on marijuana and clubs. I would be happy to pass it on to you everything we do helps.

Thanks again for the awesome thread.

Thanks. I just feel that it is time for the 'Average Joe' to get involved or soon it will be too late. Our freedoms are disappearing, but when the Average Joes stand up and are counted the cockroaches will head for the corners and hide like the cowards they truly are.

They think that telling us what we want to hear at election time (this year) that we will just buy it and vote for them. Now is the time to hold their feet to the fire, all of them.

Once again as a disclaimer I am not an R or a D.

This isn't about weed it is about Alcohol. But, a buzz is a buzz. If you live in Michigan like I do, then this will really piss you off.

Our Governor is at it again. Please call we need to be heard or it will be 25 years of higher prices and no controls. She is term limited and (IMHO) leaving the state looking 'good' might give her the footing she needs for a federal appointment from you know who.
Analysis: This Time It’s Liquor Distribution

By Jack McHugh | Aug. 26, 2010


It's hard to imagine how the current state liquor distribution system could be made worse, but according to MIRS News, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has discovered a way. She apparently wants to make this partial monopoly into a complete one, selling the lucrative privilege to just one outfit.

Worse, the monopoly would be granted for 25 years in return for a lump sum payment, all of which would be spent in less than one year to avoid needed budget cuts.
In other words, Gov. Granholm and current legislators would steal 25 years worth of license revenue from future taxpayers so that they can slip out of town with a budget that ruffles a few less special interest feathers.

"Immoral" is not to strong a word for this. That goes for other recent examples of Michigan's political class stealing from future citizens and taxpayers, as described here and here.

By the way, the current state-controlled liquor distribution system is a monstrosity. In 1997, then-Gov. John Engler and the Legislature botched an attempted privatization of the previous state-owned system. The good news was that several hundred state positions were eliminated, along with the growing pension liabilities they accrued every year.

The bad news was that these were replaced by a price-controlled oligopoly in which a handful of private distribution companies (called "ADAs") were given exclusive licenses to distribute liquor to the retail and hospitality industries.

This was good for the privileged members of that cartel, and good for the politicians who collect rich campaign contributions from them, but bad for consumers, bars, restaurants, the tourism industry and even the Department of Treasury revenue division. Why the Treasury too? Because the lack of competition generates higher prices and lower volumes than would otherwise be the case (or alternatively, lower tax revenues than if the savings from a more efficient system were taxed away).

Here's a better idea: Shut the entire state-controlled system down and let the private sector handle this function, with prices set by competition. Those concerned about the moral effects of liquor consumption can still impact it through the very staightforward mechanism of an excise tax.

2010 Census Scandals Rock Detroit Regional Census Center

by Stephen Robert Morse As 2010 Census operations wind down, the Census Bureau has been forced to get rid of many of its temporary employees. However, the few employees who are still employed at the Detroit Regional Census Center’s “partnership” office have one thing in common: They are closely connected to the Detroit political machine and/or the Democratic Party. And the one current employee who doesn’t fit the above description is Twoine Murphy, who was indicted by the State of Michigan for his involvement in a Ponzi scheme.

To give you some background on the word “Partnership” in 2010 Census terms, the Census Bureau created an outreach program for the 2010 Census intended to boost involvement by linguistic, racial, and sexual minorities. The stimulus package gave this program a mega boost when it awarded upwards of $500 million in additional cash to the Census Bureau for outreach efforts, many of which are coordinated by “Partnership Specialists” and “Partnership Coordinators.”
(Some of these partnership employees have been paid upwards of $85,000 per year at the GS-14 and GS-15 levels of pay for federal employees.)
Let’s look at the cast of characters in the Detroit Regional Census Center who were NOT let go from the Census Bureau — even though “partnership” activities are long finished and the vast majority of employees in this office were let go in early June. The survivors are as follows:

1. Marsha Cheeks is a Democratic former member of the Michigan state House of Representatives. However, she was term-limited in 2008. Apparently, the Census Bureau is where retired politicians are put to work in Michigan. It was likely very easy for Cheeks to get the job though, since her sister is a Detroit Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and her nephew is Detroit’s disgraced former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. (I’m not sure if Ms. Cheeks’ campaign finances have ever been investigated, but it looks like she’s taking quite a lot of money that was intended for her sister’s political campaign rather than hers.)
2. Brian H. White, who violated the Hatch Act by running two political offices while a 2010 Census employee: 1. Detroit City Council in 2009 and 2. State Representative from Michigan’s 6th District.
A recent profile of Mr. White states, “White has worked as state director for the Michigan Election Protection initiative; a Base Vote Director for the Michigan Democratic Party; political director of America Votes Michigan; and public policy coordinator for the Detroit branch NAACP. His political career is extensive, but hasn’t included a run for public office, until now. ‘I always knew I’d be involved, politically, but I never imagined being a politician, per se.”‘
However, this is a lie, as Mr. White ran for Detroit City Council in 2009 and his Facebook profile picture reveals a photo of his candidacy for City Council. (And here’s the Facebook group dedicated to his State Rep. candidacy.)
Let’s not forget Mr. White’s family political connection: He is the older brother of Donnell White, the Deputy Executive Director of the Detroit NAACP.
Here’s the Facebook photo currently on his profile:
And another from the Facebook group for the 2009 City Council campaign:
3. Belda Garza is also a former Michigan State Representative (who was term-limited) turned Partnership Specialist employed by the Detroit Regional Census Center and kept on the job after other employees were fired.
4. Linda Clark is the girlfriend of Charles “Charlie” Beckham, who is an associate of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and works as a top aide to current Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. Mr. Beckham has been under fire for his previous criminal conviction.
Now, after speaking with many 2010 Census employees, not a soul can confirm that any of the aforementioned individuals, including Twoine Murphy (who has not returned numerous calls or e-mails from MyTwoCensus.com) have done a stitch of work in the past couple of months, let alone even entered the Detroit office. All of these employees can “work from home” and are issued government cell phones to conduct their activities. (If any news organization has the resources to tail these people, I urge you to find out what they’re really up to!)
If all of this isn’t bad enough, the Detroit Regional Census Office is still being quietly led by a man who is under investigation by the Commerce Department Inspector General.
On June 10, the Census Bureau released the following statement: “Detroit Regional Director Dwight Dean is not currently involved in the management of Regional operations. This is a personnel matter, and Mr. Dean remains in the employment of the Census Bureau. In compliance with the Privacy Act, the Census Bureau has no further comment.”
According to his official 2010 Census biography, “Dwight Dean has served as director of the Detroit Regional Office – one of 12 offices that make up the U.S. Census Bureau’s permanent field organization – since 1987.” Over the course of 23 years, Mr. Dean has apparently been making lots of friends in Detroit, and this is where the investigation really heats up. MyTwoCensus has confirmed many tips that Dean engaged in acts of nepotism, cronyism, and corruption – including gaining financial stake in a Detroit warehouse in return for providing 2010 Census jobs for the individuals mentioned above and others.
To provide an example of Mr. Dean’s cronyism, he fired a hard-working 2010 Census supervisor with no cause and replaced the man with his secretary’s husband. So, as of today, both Barbara and Brad Cotner are on the 2010 Census payroll. (E-mail them at barbara.cotner@census.gov and bradley.j.cotner@census.gov according to a search today on the Commerce Department’s “Person Finder.”)
Two independent sources confirmed to MyTwoCensus.com that the Commerce Department Inspector General is now investigating Dwight Dean, who remains on the Census Bureau’s payroll (doing what job, nobody will say, and of course he never returns calls or e-mails asking for comment). MyTwoCensus.com has been unable to confirm tips from readers who claim that other federal agencies are also investigating Mr. Dean for a variety of charges including corruption and abuse of power.
MyTwoCensus urges federal, state, and local officials to prosecute the individuals involved with the Detroit Regional Census Center’s shenanigans to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
So Robert M. Groves and Steve Jost, how are you going to try to spin this story so the Census Bureau doesn’t come off as a bastion of corruption?

Everybody's Cafe in Waterford and another location on Williams Lake Road and a location is Ferndale.

Here is what a transcript from WWJ has to say.

Police Raid Local Medical Marijuana Clinics
WWJ Newsroom

Daily J AM,Top News
8/26/2010
6:39 am

(WWJ Photo/Ron Dewey)

Police have raided two local medical marijuana clinics, one in Ferndale and one in Waterford.

Officers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department raided the Clinical Relief Center on Hilton in Ferndale. They also busted Everybody’s Cafe in Waterford Wednesday night
At least four people were arrested and police also allegedly confiscated some of the patients’ medical records.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Nick Agro, co-owner of the Ferndale facility.
“One of the patients that was handcuffed and thrown down on the floor was my mother, who was a 28-year veteran of the Lake Orion police department. And, while sitting there with police, one of the police officers said that this came down from the State’s attorney general office,” Agro said.

“They [police officers] took medical records, they violated patients’ rights. It’s very clear in the state statute that no patient or care-giver is to be arrested. Every individual that was in that place (the clinic) was either a patient or a care-giver, and Oakland County has taken charge and arrested those individuals,” he said.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department plans release more details about the raids Thursday afternoon. Stay with WWJ for the latest on this developing story.

My opinion is that Mike Cox is up to something. Why do this now with the caucus this weekend? Hmmmm.

What will this gain him? Hmmmm. We will just have to wait and see what comes out of the D's caucus.

true very true. I also heard someone mention RICO laws which may be involved with the raids. Could be a possible scandal brewing.

That's the missing piece! Thanks baddfrog, I knew I was missing something and that is it! OMG, they could really turn this into a huge publicity stunt. How many people can be tied into this? How many assets will be seized? Wow, it will be in the millions.

baddfrog0221 said:

true very true. I also heard someone mention RICO laws which may be involved with the raids. Could be a possible scandal brewing.

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