Prosecutors Alter Lab Results, Target Patients, Feds Called For Help

This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on January 7, 2016.

Michigan is perhaps the most corrupt State in our United States.

Michigan received a grade of F, including accountability in all three branches of government as well as in redistricting, lobbying and political financing. Michigan is one of just three states that still lacks financial disclosure rules for lawmakers and governors, according to Chris Andrews, author of the State Integrity Investigation report on Michigan.

After 63% of Michigan voters decided to legalize medical cannabis in 2008, State leaders and government officials have succeeded in thwarting the intent of the voters at every step. The most egregious attempt has been that of county and State prosecutors ‘rewriting’ lab results of legal cannabis, labeling the natural substance, synthetic marijuana.

Synthetic marijuana in the state of Michigan carries with it stiffer penalties and does not qualify for the medical exemption of medical cannabis. The result has been increased charges to otherwise legal individuals.

The Patients Fight Back

Michigan attorney and MPO board member, Neil Rockind of Southfield-based Rockind Law joined with Michael Komorn of Southfield-based Komorn Law in filing a formal complaint against the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory, citing negligence and incompetence resulting in crime lab “findings, integrity and reliability (that) are in serious doubt.” The complaint was filed with Gerry LaPorte, Director of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Investigative & Forensic Sciences, in Washington, DC.

[blockquote cite=”Neil Rockind” type=”left”]The conduct taking place in the Michigan Crime Lab continually compromises the integrity of the Crime Lab’s forensic results.[/blockquote]

“Our formal letter of complaint is intended to launch a serious and objective review of the practices of the Crime Lab by the National Institute of Justice,” Rockind said. “We are thankful that Congress has made it possible for such investigations to take place for the good of the people of the State of Michigan and the criminal justice system at large.”

[author title=”About the Author”]