PRESS RELEASE
National Marijuana Organization Sends Letter To Snyder
Michigan Americans for Safe Access protests recent administrative rule changes; asks for greater involvement for representatives of Michigan’s 150,000 registered participants
July 2, 2013
DETROIT- In response to recent changes in the administration of Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Program (MMP), a letter was sent today to Governor RickSnyder and Director of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Department Steve Arwood asking for cooperation between the government and the MMP’s 150,000 licensed and registered members.
The letter was authored by the Michigan chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a national organization dedicated to preserving the rights of patients to access their medication in a safe and legal manner. Signing on in support of today’s letter were 15 other organizations and Clubs from across the state. Michigan ASA recently conducted a press conference in front of the Levin Federal Courthouse in Detroit to protest the federal incarceration of Michigan citizens for marijuana offenses.
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) recently made several changes to the MMP that put the sick and injured at a disadvantage. Earlier in 2013 the applications for the MMA were changed in a way that created a more cumbersome and confusing process. Without legislative oversight or citizen input, LARA changed a four-year policy that gave disabled Michigan citizens a discounted rate when registering for the MMP. LARA has dissolved the panel of mostly physicians that reviews illnesses for addition to the listing of conditions qualifying Michiganders for the use of medical marijuana. That Panel underwent a lengthy selection process and multiple public meetings before Director Arwood determined that the Panel be disbanded and their conclusions discarded. The Panel is a legally-required component of the MMP as ordered by the Medical Marihuana Act (MMA).
In the Michigan ASA letter, Director Arwood is encouraged to allow stakeholder input on future changes to the rules governing the administration of the MMA. Arwood, a Snyder appointee, took the helm of LARA in 2013; LARA oversees the administration of the MMP. Among those potential stake holders are the organizations that signed on in support of the letter, including the National Patient’s Rights Association, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, Conservative Christians for Cannabis , the Michigan chapter of The Human Solution, along with numerous Compassion Clubs and statewide organizations.
“It’s time to adopt a more inclusive approach when rethinking the marijuana program’s rules- more inclusive, more compassionate, less revisionist and less harsh,” said Rick Thompson, Public Relations Director for Michigan ASA. “When people voted for the law in 2008 they expected the sick and injured to be treated with compassion, not bombarded with rejection letters and new anti-patient restrictions. We want the new conditions panel restored and the patient’s opinion to be heard when policy decisions are being made, and we’ll work with Director Arwood on these issues.”
The letter, and a full list of all organizations signing on in support of the letter, is included with this Press Release.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Hunter Holiman, National Field Coordinator ASA/Washington 202 618-6975
Jamie Lowell, Vice Chairperson, ASA/Michigan 734 276-6318
Kris Hermes, Media Liaison, ASA/California