This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on July 19, 2012.
Having the opportunity to assist patients by supplying their medicine gives me great satisfaction and I truly enjoy going to work every day. It goes without saying that the majority of Michiganders also like what I do, they did vote for this, allowing me the chance to do something that was all together illegal nearly 4 years ago.
Sick patients, relief, comfort, compassion all are in a normal day for us, however I find my real strength for this type of work from those that surround me, my fellow caregivers.
This medical marijuana law has been on the books nearly 4 years and caregivers are still being attacked by police, prosecutors and government officials. Sure they have laid off on the patients a lot, which is great, but they have escalated attacks on us caregivers. So much in fact that you will never hear about the many unauthorized raids and constant harassment at the dispensary I have worked for the past 2 years. Robbing and harassing caregivers, ie. police and prosecutor misconduct, is old news, readers want something new.
A common story for dispensaries across Michigan, the cops come in (or through) the door (usually unauthorized), take money, marijuana and radios or other things they can use at home, tell us they are real sorry and that they even voted for this law, and leave us to pick up the pieces. We always re-open the next day, apologize to the patients for the mess and make up a story as to why inventory is so low, a personal favorite of mine, “we literally cleared the shelves last night.” No reason to upset any one or put more fear out there by explaining what really happened, that is what they want, right?
Our crew has been through countless encounters, faced many charges, couple of arrests, survived several unauthorized raids and the net result, we are still working (with no criminal record). Our stomachs have been hardened and our “balls”, lets just say they have turned almost entirely to steel, even the women.
We have experienced retaliation by police after the Supreme Court recently upheld all the rights that us patients, caregivers, dispensaries and doctors have been claiming since 2008. Any good news for us in the industry results in more attacks. Picture the class bully and the result of telling teacher he beat you up last week, you will only get hit harder next week.
Medical marijuana opponents have attacked our industry from every possible angle, you can’t do this, that is not allowed, yes but cannot do this way. All of their claims, and they have had lots, have proven false and they will likely keep crafting different interpretations, the whole time we stand by 3 words, “it is legal”, that and “call my lawyer”.