Medical Marijuana Advocates Hold Lansing Rally
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Hundreds of supporters of the medical use of marijuana rallied at the state capitol Wednesday to protest proposed restrictions on the practice in Michigan.
The Michigan Medical Marijuana Association president and others spoke at the rally, which began at noon outside the Capitol. Hundreds of people were present as the rally began, and more protesters were arriving.
State voters in 2008 approved the use of marijuana to relieve pain and chronic ailments. About 100,000 people have state-issued cards letting them have 2.5 ounces of "usable" pot and up to 12 plants. Registered caregivers also can grow marijuana for five people.
"This is the biggest civil rights issue that's faced this state in 30 years," said Rick Thompson with the Michigan Association of Compassion Centers.
"The people that are being oppressed are the sickest and the most injured people in the state. These are the people we should be protecting, not punishing," he said.
Michigan's appeals court has ruled that some sales at dispensaries are illegal.
"Ever since Michigan voters said yes to this thing there's been a war going on between the law encorcement community and the people here, about 500 or so, on the capitol steps who believe the have a right to use this weed," said WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.
"While they protest on the capitol steps lawmakers inside are prepering to pass legislation that will tighten down on this process even more," he said.
Changes proposed by legislators would require stricter doctor-patient relationships before a patient could get authorization to use marijuana.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
