This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on May 15, 2012.
House Bill 5580 is an attempt to clarify dispensary regulations in Michigan. The bill that oddly refers to dispensaries as “provisioning centers” is a common sense approach at regulating a very legal distribution model and currently the most popular means for patients in Michigan to receive the medicine. Unfortunately, it is our stance the proposed bill presented by House Representative Mike Callton (R), will have little chance at passing the house. With 75% approval needed, the divisive issue of medical marijuana in Michigan, and dispensaries in particular, will not gain necessary support. The bill, while artfully crafted, has far too much “meat” for opponents of both parties to pick at.
Our network of dispensaries across the state need to work even stronger at self regulation and work towards industry standards. The non passage or lack of support for this billl could allow opponents to further attack our industry and use the defeat of legislation as a legal basis for future prosecutions.
As we stated, legislative polling does not show the support necessary. We advise dispensary owners to remain compliant by strictly following guidelines and best practices shared by the MMDA. Only through continuing self regulation and another full year, will a “dispensary” bill have a chance at passing the House.
The efforts of drafters of HB 5580 are appreciated and the courage of Rep. Callton should not go unnoticed. The presentation of the bill is a great start in educating the legislature to necessary “fixes” of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. Further dialogue and a simple majority vote in 2013 will help to implement new dispensary regulations.
The Medical Marijuana Dispensary Association (MMDA) is a network of dispensary and caregiving organizations throughout Michigan that aims to protect the public health by promoting the highest standards of practice and assist with regulations to govern the distribution of medical marijuana. DispensaryAssociation.org