This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on September 15, 2013.
While the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act clearly states no one will lose any rights as a caregiver or as a patient, a Lansing, MI judge determined that Steve and Maria Green are not allowed to have custody of their infant daughter Bree (Brielle) because they are licensed patients and caregivers.
A person shall not be denied custody or visitation of a minor for acting in accordance with this act, unless the person’s behavior is such that it creates an unreasonable danger to the minor that can be clearly articulated and substantiated.
Why did the Ingham County Family Court remove Bree?
Ingham County Court referee Rod Porter had said his concern was that the Greens’ home was ‘dangerous.’ He believed that marijuana was grown and consumed there, noting that Maria is a licensed caregiver.
“It is reasonable to assume that marijuana is being grown in that home with children being present, and that is dangerous for children to be involved in that situation,” said Porter, with obvious emotion. “We have homes being robbed at gunpoint by individuals who know that children are at home.”
Porter’s decision was influenced by a case where a two-year-old was shot and killed by her stepfather, a reference to the case of alleged cocaine dealer Lavar Burton during a home invasion in July 2010.
The guardian ad litem for baby Bree suggested to the court the couple keep the child in their home, unfortunately the judge disagreed and said that the mere presence of plants in the home is an endangerment to the child because of possibility of an armed robbery.
Lock your children and medical-marijuana from law enforcement. Enough is enough already.
If you would like to donate to the couples defense fund please visit the following link: http://www.gofundme.com/thegreenfamilydefensefund
This story would have had a much different ending if these punks tried taking one of my children.
Seeing as the previous cases this “judge” used in this case was in reference to COCAINE and is an entirely different matter than some pot plants these Legal owners had. No one violently robs a house for pot. I’ve seen full blown stabbings for beer and alcohol… So this is just plain ignorance of the Law and a judge bullying a family for taking legal steps to get this done in appropriate measures so they are compliant with the legality of owning and using this Plant. I cannot understand the grounds in which the child was removed from their care. I am against this ruling 100% I feel this is a move to frighten those that need their medicine and to further the anti-Marijuana Legalization agenda here in Michigan. Too much money for counties to lose with catch and re-release tactics. I hope that this Judge gets a Suspension for this ruling. I hope this family gets their child back!! I hope they sue the county for Harassment and Pain and suffering!!! This is Communism/Socialism at it’s evil & finest. POSSIBILITY of getting Robbed!!Is enough to get your child removed!!! I’m so outraged!!!
Get “Rich” people’s kids removed from their homes then, why shouldn’t they have the Possibility of getting “robbed” for their jewels and Money? Get Rid of Alcohol so no one gets POSSIBLY rapped, crash a car, beat down another person or harm themselves then!!! Makes as much sense as this RULING according to this “Judge”!!! -V.
Also hear the couple smoked around all the children as well. Doing drugs around kids should never be allowed. Taking a baby from it’s mother is a serious decision and I am sure this judge had other reasons besides those explained by this article.
This story just really upset me. As a resident of MI and a mmmp patient with a 4year old chils. This infuriates me, asi was my own caregiver for a while and as long asthese children have no access to the plants, or the medication, THEY SHOULD BE LEFT WITH THEIR PARENTS
This is disgusting!people need to do some research instead of taking old wives tales about marijauna for factual information. i am my own caregiver i also have three children i aso have been harassed by cps. I still find the only bad thing about marijuana is the establishment i have not ever been robbed nor do i imagine i ever will.my daughters are strait a students and some of the best behaved at there school.that didnt stop cps from locking my children in a room and questioning them for hours at there school.they stole my nephews out of my home and there still in foster care 8 monthes later.it cost this family’s complete savings just to keep our own children.that we love and care for without any state funded support.several scientific study’s have proven that marijuana is not harmfull to children even in the womb.I guess in my small town home there arent alot of robbery’s but if there are any it’s always about perscription narcotics [pills] human tested government approved drugs are by far the most dangerous addicting drug’s i have ever seen,yet i dont see cps knocking on doors of people on zoloft,prozac,methadone,oxycotin,etc.non functional people.we need to put a stop to this asap before its to late!!
If having majiuana in the home opens you up to robbery ,what about fancy electronics and such, seems the state should be taking everyone’s kids cause they are endanger.