cannabisnews.com: What Communities Enacting Pot Bans Should Consider
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What Communities Enacting Pot Bans Should Consider
Posted by CN Staff on December 08, 2010 at 06:25:04 PT
Editorial
Source: Metro Times
Michigan -- Anyone who still thinks Michigan's medical marijuana law is just some ruse intended to provide partiers with a get-out-of-jail-free card needs to meet Linda Lott. And municipal officials who think they are doing their residents a service by passing ordinances intended to circumvent that voter-approved law need to take notice as well.In fact, the Michigan branch of the American Civil Liberties Union is making sure that they get the message that any attempts to infringe on the legitimate rights of patients and caregivers are going to be fought every step of the way.
A resident of Birmingham, Lott has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 28 years. An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, MS is an affliction that grows worse with time. Now in her 60s, Lott, who is both legally blind and confined to wheelchair, is subject to what she describes as terribly painful spasms that can strike unexpectedly at anytime.According to the lawsuit, along with prescription drugs, Lott's physician — Dr. Sami Mounayer, the director of neurology at Beaumont Hospital — has also approved her use of medical marijuana, which helps alleviate the spasms and the intense pain they cause. It also helps her to sleep at night.Her husband of 32 years, Robert, owns a printing business in Livonia. Recently diagnosed with glaucoma, Robert, like his wife, is a registered medical marijuana patient. Pot helps relieve the pressure on his eyes' optic nerves.In other words, it is hard to imagine a better pair of people to serve as the plaintiffs in what is sure to be viewed as a major test case challenging the expanding pattern of restrictive ordinances being passed by Michigan municipalities.As ACLU attorney Daniel Korobkin pointed out, "These are exactly the kind of people Michigan voters had in mind when they passed the Medical Marihuana Act."Last week, the ACLU filed suit on behalf of the Lotts in Wayne County Circuit Court, claiming ordinances passed within the past year by Livonia in Wayne County and Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham in Oakland County are "clearly illegal."Despite overwhelming approval of the medical marijuana law by Michigan voters in 2008, all three cities passed ordinances declaring, in essence, that it is illegal to engage in any activity or enterprise that is "contrary to any federal, state or local laws."Because any use of marijuana remains illegal in the eyes of the feds, these ordinances are seen as an attempt to sidestep the will of Michigan voters and put legitimate medical marijuana users and their licensed caregivers at risk of arrest.When asked previously about the issue, Bloomfield Hills City Attorney William P. Hampton told News Hits that the ordinance in question was not a "medical marijuana ordinance." While it may not make specific reference to medicinal pot, the claim that the ordinance didn't have that as its target is laughable.Attempts to get comments from others supportive of these ordinances were unsuccessful.Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens told the Free Press: "We don't have a ban on medical marijuana. We have an ordinance that deals with medical marijuana."Linda Lott, at last week's press conference, expressed fear of being targeted by police for possessing her medicine while traveling in a car or visiting private social clubs she and her husband belong to in Bloomfield Hills."I don't believe I should have to choose between living in pain and living in fear," she said.Robert Lott, as Linda's caregiver, is likely concerned about being targeted for arrest for growing weed in a Livonia warehouse he owns. Critics of the state's medical marijuana law claim it is badly crafted and needs to be clarified. Robert Lott, in essence, has the same gripe about the ordinances. "I don't know what the rules are, and I'm a rule-follower," he said.It may be that the intent of the ordinances is to clamp down on so-called "compassion clubs," where medical marijuana is dispensed to patients. The legality of these operations is not spelled out in the act approved by voters, creating a legal gray area that has yet to be sorted out by the courts.However, ACLU lawyers claim, the ordinances based in these three cities — as well as similar ordinances in a growing number of other cities — are so broadly written that they infringe on the clearly defined rights of patients and caregivers.News Hits agrees. We also think that this is a matter of concern for more than people such as the Lotts. Because of this clearly wrong-headed approach, municipalities in cash-strapped cities are going to be wasting precious resources fighting this issue in court. After all, in all three cities, voters overwhelmingly approved the 2008 ballot measure, so it is not like officials are trying to cater to the desires of their constituents. Just the opposite.If cities want to take a stand on dispensaries, then let them do so directly. But let Linda and Robert Lott, and tens of thousands of other people like them, grow and take their medicine without having to live in any fear of being arrested.Source: Metro Times (Detroit, MI)Published: December 8, 2010Copyright: 2010 Metro Times, Inc.Contact: letters metrotimes.comWebsite: http://www.metrotimes.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/DmwUgDXmCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on December 09, 2010 at 15:43:33 PT
Hope
You said: I hope I don't waste this second chance.I know you won't. There's a lot of living and loving to do!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #23 posted by Hope on December 09, 2010 at 15:25:11 PT
Dongenero, Afterburner, Christ.
Thank you.It's a nice feeling. I thought I was done for... and now I'm not! That's so cool. I hope I don't waste this second chance.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #22 posted by Hope on December 09, 2010 at 15:12:01 PT
Whoo Hoo... Storm Crow!
And a very fine sentiment that is, too!Thank you, so much.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #21 posted by Hope on December 09, 2010 at 15:09:38 PT
comment 7
You're such a great Aunt, FoM. Not just with these guys, but others of your nieces and nephews. Aunts and uncles are important. Some more important than others and you're obviously one of those important ones.I'm glad that your family has drawn closer together over the trial with Marty, like you hoped they would, and not farther apart.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #20 posted by Hope on December 09, 2010 at 14:52:38 PT
Thank you, Martha.
That song and our special Bro, Bob Marley, made me smile. Thank you.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #19 posted by Hope on December 09, 2010 at 14:50:53 PT
Runruff!
Runruff! Runruff! Runruff!Yay! It is happy news!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #18 posted by Hope on December 09, 2010 at 14:49:39 PT
BGreen
"It's hard to hear more and more about the damage done to cancer patients with treatments meant to help."Yes. It is. But it's part of the territory. These aren't gentle cures and treatments. Cancer isn't a gentle disease.That's why we need so desperately for there to be serious research for cancer treatments in cannabis. They would be gentler. Crap that makes your hair fall out, your nails convolute, and discolor, trying to fall out, and other stuff isn't a gentle treatment.I should have said radiation "for cancer cells" not just "crazy cells". That's what they're after. The situation being what it is... and the history...that radiation increases my chances of it not coming back. I don't want to do it... but I think it's best I do it if I can.Right after diagnosis... and for quite a while, actually, when I was standing up for a complete, double mastectomy ... they warned me that even with such drastic measures, they would still want me to do the chemotherapy and radiation. And they asked me to stay calm, and wait. I'm glad I did.I know that scarring can be a side effect of radiation. But one thing I have been very lucky about is that this large aggressive tumor was still contained in the fatty tissue and had not yet invaded the muscles, lymph nodes, bones, or other organs. And that means, I think, that the radiation will be strategically aimed at fatty tissue... not bones, or organs, or muscles where scarring could be a serious issue. I hope. If a person has to have radiation to the head, neck, pelvis, or chest... there can be seriously more serious issues at stake. They focus and aim the radiation like a flashlight... and I don't think they'll even shine it down through my chest, but from another angle. That's what my husband thinks and he's been with me through our little education and introduction to radiation. They've told us that radiation therapy has improved tremendously just in the last few years. They actually make each person their own personally shaped radiation shooter... shaped to hit with a shaped ray exactly where they want it to. No more. No less.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by FoM on December 09, 2010 at 12:27:25 PT
Just My Thoughts
When Hope called me yesterday I knew the results were in before I picked up the phone. I am so happy for her and her husband and family. We are having a family gathering at Christmas this year and my niece's sons are coming and that makes me so happy. They are alone now. The father is still alive but has never contacted them. They are in their 20s and have had a rough life. I just love them and want them to know they are not alone. This will be a great Christmas.
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Comment #16 posted by runruff on December 09, 2010 at 11:27:18 PT
Hope!
Hope, Hope, Hope!Mmmm, mmm, mmm!Dear, dear, Hope!Oh my, my!I haven't the words!No the now anyways?
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Comment #15 posted by Storm Crow on December 09, 2010 at 10:49:41 PT
Fantastic news!
Not much else to say except WHOOOHOOO! Way to go!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 09, 2010 at 10:31:38 PT
Hope
A song for you. Now that you are in the home stretch this song seemed appropriate. Don't Worry About a Thing!!!Bob Marley- Three Little Birds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LanCLS_hIo4
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #13 posted by dongenero on December 09, 2010 at 08:19:41 PT
Hope
Such good news Hope. Nice to see your happy and positive posts again. Congratulations and best wishes!
d
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Comment #12 posted by BGreen on December 09, 2010 at 07:46:27 PT
Hope can be mistaken for Crystal Gayle again
That would be great. I'll bet your hair will come back a lot faster than mine ever will. :)I know you'll do what's best. It's hard to hear more and more about the damage done to cancer patients with treatments meant to help. I don't think it would be unreasonable for you to ask your doctor if the risk of an errant cell is substantial enough to outweigh the risks of radiation poisoning, the death of healthy breast tissue and the extended trauma to your already traumatized body.We're here for you 100% and respect your decision one way or another.Bud
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on December 08, 2010 at 21:08:46 PT
BGreen
It's "in case" there are any crazy cells lingering in the area. I think.I don't trust them without reservation... but they have a lot of experience and I hope they use it well for me.Thank you for being my friend, and being happy for me.Thank you, Greenmed. I can't imagine ever having all my hair back again. It looks strange what is sprouting now. But I'll give it time, of course.
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Comment #10 posted by BGreen on December 08, 2010 at 19:59:47 PT
I know you trust your doctors
I was just wondering what the reasoning was behind bombarding healthy, cancer-free tissue with several weeks of cancer-causing radiation.I don't want you to be harmed even further. The radiation my dad took caused so much scar tissue that it complicated his later heart surgery.Bud
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Comment #9 posted by greenmed on December 08, 2010 at 19:50:06 PT
Hope
This is such good news!Now... time to grow back those long locks, eh?
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by Hope on December 08, 2010 at 19:27:02 PT
Thank you, everyone.
Yes, BGreen. I still have to take radiation. But I'm pretty sure it will be more like six or seven weeks instead of what I was originally told, twelve weeks.I'm very happy and thankful.
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on December 08, 2010 at 19:10:24 PT
Do you still have to have radiation treatments?
I hope not but I was just wondering.Bud
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on December 08, 2010 at 19:07:49 PT
Mrs. Green and I are bawling right now
I can't tell you how happy we are, Hope! What a huge relief!OMG, Hallelujah!!!!!Bud
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Comment #5 posted by christ on December 08, 2010 at 19:01:25 PT
Welcome back, Hope
Excellent news :-)
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by afterburner on December 08, 2010 at 17:54:32 PT
Welcome Back to Good Health, Hope
"I don't believe I should have to choose between living in pain and living in fear," she said.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 08, 2010 at 17:48:20 PT
Hope
Happy days are here again! I am thrilled about your excellent news. It was great talking to you too!Rest up, relax and recover.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on December 08, 2010 at 17:27:34 PT
Good Report!
I'm cancer free!The parameters of the lump around the tumor are clear of cancer cells!Whoo Hoo!Thank you for the prayers and good thoughts, people!I love you!
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on December 08, 2010 at 17:25:21 PT
one of the last compassionate mmj fed patients
http://www.drugwarrant.com/ comment on Dec 6My Medicine – The Book. Irvin Rosenfeld has a book out.
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