This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on August 15, 2011.
There is a movement within law enforcement, chiefly Michigan’s “Top Cop”, Attorney General Bill Schuette, to lobby for legislation that would restrict a medical marijuana patients ability to drive. Meaning that any amount, even trace amounts in the system would be considered illegal if driving. Even 7 days after use a patient would not legally be allowed to drive.* Unfortunately, this legislation has a good chance of passing.
Conversely, if a patient had a prescription for Marinol, a synthetic medication mixed with 100% THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, then it is ok to drive with a prescription. Often many patients complain of the intense mental and ill physical effects the chemical version has and opt for the organic relief protected under State law.
This legislation that our Attorney General is lobbying, would make useless a medical marijuana ID card through the State and shows his intent to undermine a ballot initiative that every county in Michigan approved.
This asks the question, why are we fighting to imprison those that use organic medicine (Michigan medical marijuana cardholders) and leave alone those that seek treatment through the pharmacy (Marinol patients)? Is the real intent to undermine this Act and keep full those jails that need filling?
* Do Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Concentrations Indicate Recent Use in Chronic Cannabis Users?
Corresponding Author Marilyn A. Huestis, PhD, Chief, Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, NIDA, NIH, Biomedical Research Center Suite 200, 251 Bayview Blvd. Room 05A-721, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA =”About the Author”]