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A private club for licensed patients and caregivers in the State of Michigan.

People v McQueen - MI Supreme Court Medical Marijuana Oral Arguments - October 11, 2012 from Eric L. VanDussen on Vimeo.
In People v McQueen, the court will decide whether Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) allows registered patients and caregivers to transfer and/or sell medical marijuana to patients they are not linked to through Michigan’s registry program. Isabella County’s Prosecuting Attorney has argued that McQueen’s dispensary (Compassionate Apothecary) was a public nuisance and violated the Public Health Code. A circuit judge disagreed with the prosecutor's argument and refused to enter an injunction. The prosecutor appealed and oral arguments were heard by Michigan’s Court of Appeals (COA) on June 7, 2011. On August 23, 2011, the COA issued an opinion which overturned the circuit court’s decision. McQueen’s attorneys appealed that COA decision and assert that “patient-to-patient transfers of marijuana are protected by the MMA and that attaching a price to those transfers does not violate the Public Health Code.”
There are so many
people out there both inside and outside the
MJ Community that deserve sincere thanks for
what they have accomplished, and how they
have helped. Lawyers, Doctors, Patients,
City officials, concerned citizens, and
Caregivers have all made efforts to
incorporate a new way of thinking about MJ
in Michigan. And although the legalists and
legislators are now hammering out the
details of incorporating the 2008 Act into
practice, if the underlying intention was to
“think differently about MJ” as a State and
society, it seems we have accomplished that.
But in a strange way
both nobody, and everybody, is out there to
give them the thanks they deserve for
helping us. Awards and recognition do exist,
but there is no generally accepted authority
to give an “Oscars of Michigan MJ” yet.
Although there’s no shortage of people who
would (and do) lay claim to that inside
their own “clique”. And therein lay the
problem. But the real scoop is that
there are many things we, as a unified
community, could accomplish if we were
willing to insist on the best of
representation and organization as opposed
to (solely) the one nearest our “clique”.
I see a lot of
Organizations out there, and Associations,
maybe even a PAC or two. A few of them seem
to have some effective sporadic attempts at
various degrees of lobbying and/or
advocating. But I have yet to see anything
that actually benefits its own members in a
practical way.
This is not criticism, it’s a suggestion -
For instance:
Why isn’t there a group
of patients and caregivers who pool their
resources to have a private investigator
retained to immediately investigate any MJ
theft or crime committed against one of its
members? To supply the local prosecutor with
the best evidence available, and actually
prosecute these folks who often commit the
crime thinking it will go unreported? And
sadly, because no organization like this
exists yet, it most often does go
unreported. We are in year 4 people, what’s
up with that?
One could even direct a
group of people to try and find any lost
items through their vast network of members
working together. Paying for genetic tests
proving stolen meds came from a particular
source. Perhaps retaining representation for
a groundbreaking case in recovering lost
meds or compensation for same? Really, there
is no limit to what a group of people who
truly share the same interest can accomplish
with direction.
Certainly we could end
all harassment with one well timed class
action suit, and a sharp lawyer with a
proven track record behind it.
Why not have a Board of
Review, so that a member who is victimized
may have access to loans of… genetics, gear,
perhaps even a loan to re-start “farming”.
The truth is our
community will not see practical results
like this without unity.
But without any
practical consensus, there can be no unity.
Negotiated consensus,
as we all know, is difficult and fleeting.
But what of natural consensus? Why not find
a real consensus where one already
exists in nature?
It stands to reason
that both Patients and Caregivers are
“Farmers”. Does it not?
Clearly both grow and
care for medicinal herbs, and the
responsible ones wish to do so unperturbed
by anyone exploiting invented gaps in the
Act (even though the Act already contains
often ignored protections for these
instances). Clearly both would prefer a well
organized registry, and clarity in the Act
and its practical application in Michigan.
Clearly they would like their homes
inviolate, and would like to trust the
authorities in times of trouble as they
should be allowed to. Clearly both Patients
and Caregivers NEED a market of some kind to
ensure a constant and safe supply of
medicine, and a place to trade overages they
don’t desire for revenue or medicine they do
desire. There are many more natural shared
interests between Patients and Caregivers.
So I put to you – What
would be the implications of a statewide
organization or “guild”, perhaps, of
“farmers” who were willing to, by the honor
system alone, donate a mere 2% compensation
of any successful crop to this cause? Even
on the honor system alone, which is always
the best way to do things in my book, a
statewide PAC with that much support would
be able to:
Retain an attorney for
the next “farmer” who follows the law and is
harassed anyways, with a huge trail of other
“farmers” in lockstep behind them as
witnesses and supporters, and level an
historical class action suit ( if we are
forced to ).
The ability to protect
our own members legally, and in all
circumstances assert our legitimacy before
the law.
The ability to protect
ourselves from thievery/cons/embezzlement.
The truth is the
potential benefit of such a Guild is almost
limitless. And this is all well and good…
Credibility is earned.
The almost limitless potential of such an
organization or guild would be lost if lead
astray, or lead without shrewd efficiency.
Who would emerge to
hand out, with the full force of statewide
accreditation behind them, an “MJ Oscar”,
symbolically speaking? What I am getting at
here is rising up and away from the Dark
Ages of “self-appointed titles & advocates”,
and evolving into the more mainstream world
of “fully vetted, background checked,
committed, honest, socially responsible,
non-criminal, well-spoken but aggressive
civic minded leaders” (Whew!). Because
that is the type of leadership
this grassroots movement deserves, needs,
and cries out for!
Sadly, earning
credibility only comes through real life
trials, practical performance review, peer
critique, and credentials. Some level of
public criticism, or member review, would be
required to ensure the truly visionary and
beyond reproach leadership such a movement
deserves. The only way to ensure
continued ethical direction and practical
results would be to, from the very start,
begin with a Review Board composed entirely
of people that no one in the entire State of
Michigan can stand up and say: (for example)
“This person lied to me!”, or “This person
looked me in the eye, and ripped me off!”,
or “This person skimmed revenue from a
donation pool.” “This guy used to run a
‘dispensary’ and told me some imaginary BS
about not being able to pay me after
closing”.
I’m not pointing
fingers, here. Everyone is accountable for
their own actions in the end. But these are
real world complaints I’ve overheard since
2011 now. All judgments aside, it would
simply be shortsighted to put folks who make
choices like that in a position of real
consensus leadership and representation. As
such a statewide entity, if formed, would
be. It really would be irresponsible if you
think about it.
We all really owe City
Representative Carol Wood thanks for putting
us all in the same room together in Lansing
in that day. Regardless of what you think of
her City politics in general, that was a
smart, practical, and potentially beneficial
moment for our movement. I feel it was
completely squandered, overly influenced,
and made all Med MJ look really bad. But the
birth of an entity not unlike what I
describe above could have been born out of
that very meeting. Or the next one Brandon
took the time to come to.
But that’s ok. To be
discouraged would be foolish. History is
full of half starts, near misses,
almost-got-there’s, and also… success
stories. Nothing at all prevents us from
success, and natural consensus, but our own
natural drive to be either apathetic, or our
own drive to be petty and divisive. If we
fail, it’s because we lived up to what
people think of us anyways. No biggie!
We also need to
remember that we live in a nation where we
at least try not to tromp on the rights of
those of the minority opinion. Or persecute
them. I’m not saying you should agree with
anti-mj people, but a real leader would try
to find consensus with them on some issues,
if at all possible.
Then there is also the
real matter of “perceived legitimacy”. No
politician, or more importantly, no groups
of politicians, are going to unite behind a
group that is only marginally united itself.
Nobody in a position of leadership knows who
to speak to when we have not solidified
behind a “spokesperson” because we have
none, because we have no real titles,
because we have no real unity! Lol. Many
legitimate politicians and spokespeople
still keep their distance from us. They may
occasionally give half scared “lip service”
audiences to the squeakiest wheel so they
can’t be accused of ignoring the issue. But
we will never receive a fancy envelope
invitation requesting “Mr. or Mrs. Med MJ
Michigan, cordially inviting you to the
Capitol Bldg New Years Mixer” until they are
beyond any doubt of that persons (already
stigmatized) claim to legitimacy. Why?
Because it could come back to haunt them if
they were wrong, and our community does not
seem interested in the peer critique and
transparency required for such an invite to
be sent. And who would it be sent to?
That could happen. One
day it will happen. But it will most
definitely not happen until they know
they are standing next to a vetted,
responsible, ethical, vote carrying “leader”
with a few extra bucks in their pockets to
give to a few choice campaigns. It will not
happen until they are willing to take a
photo with you in it (and not airbrush it
out later!) - Welcome to reality!
If our community is
ever intelligent enough to create a well run
organization like this, as opposed to living
up to every stigma of being lazy and
disorganized, it would be so large and
influential that the people who lead it
should be as beyond reproach as we can
possibly find. Should we as a community ever
shed these stigmas by recognizing our own
natural consensus, “Farmers” should be lead
by people who are confirmed among their
peers to have performed honorably in all
circumstances.
Michigan Farmers
deserve leaders who get real results even
under pressure, or adverse conditions. We
deserve leaders who have a track record of
performance, and transparency. Leaders who
will stand up for peer review, and take
responsibility for their actions with grace.
Michigan Farmers deserve leaders who would
never… never… think of dipping their
hand in “the pot” (pun partially intended)
to fund their personal life. These leaders
would only enrich our cause. And we deserve
leadership that can navigate what will only
become tougher, more dangerous, deeper
waters at every new level.
…And the only way to obtain or retain that leadership is review of proven, practical, results.
If no one PAC or ORG
has accomplished these member benefits and
credentials alone, then why not meet at a
round table in the dead center of the State
to form a SUPER PAC? If our best efforts
have not managed to unify statewide behind a
natural consensus yet, we as a community
certainly have nothing to lose, do we?
What if we were to send
people from every MJ Org, PAC, Assoc, and
C.Club, ALL to a BIG meeting in the dead
center of the State? I encourage you to
encourage your PAC, Association, or C.Club
leaders to not just participate, but help
forge such an entity with bonds of
handshakes and good will in the interest of
what just such a Super Pac would create and
accomplish. And it seems to me that many
members of each of these PAC, Orgs, C.Club,
etc, would qualify as “farmers”, correct?
It is not as though all
the requisite parts for this don’t exist
already… naturally… each in its own place.
We just need to find
our harmony. And we, of all people,
look foolish not doing so.
Each local
geographical area, each “clique”, has its
real and/or perceived “leaders”. Divided, we
accomplish very little by having protests
and demonstrations against the fact our
elected leaders are actually addressing the
Act, as opposed to ignoring it. United, and
looking after our own, for our own
causes, we would go far beyond
the bounds of any stigma anyone has ever
attempted to fetter us with to this day. A
true leader would insist on, and gain for us
in Michigan, full acceptance of the
legitimacy of our vocation.
Obviously Michigan
farmers would best be lead by… a practicing
“farmer”! Advice is good, and consultation
may be needed, sometimes retaining a lawyer
for a specific instance, or instances. But…
farmers have dirt under their nails, and
true grit. Farmers are honest, humble, down
to earth people because the dirt, earth, air
and water is their canvas. All farmers
already lead little baby plants into new
stages of life and death every day, so they
can’t be half bad leaders of people,
correct?
So I appeal to you out of a consensus born
of nature, and to “farming”.
I appeal to you
farmers, and nurturers of life. I appeal to
those who wish to contribute and give credit
to others, not to themselves. I appeal to
those who do not know the meaning of
“instant gratification” as their every
endeavor is a practice in hard work and
patience. An investment in our future –
exactly the values we need to be teaching
our children today.
If you think this is a
worthwhile goal with important implications,
I urge you to submit any thoughts or ideas
to:
Are you a member of a PAC or Org, or C.Club?
Why? What is good about that particular
assembly? Does it have a few recognized or
titled “leaders”?
Do you believe they would participate in
building such a “guild” with us? As one?
(My old Poli-Sci prof. used to say “…if
you’re not a member of at least 4 PAC’s,
you’re not being heard, because your ‘vote’
means squat!” - Lansing Community College
ROCKS!)
Please also
leave a zip code so we know all
geographic areas are represented, and a way
to contact you in the future.
If you would like to actively help, please
let the real scoop know.
…do
not donate revenue. If and when such
an entity can be built by intelligent adult
MJ supporters, it would go into ESCROW, as
it should.
I can already think of three different
farmers in three different areas I would
fully trust to review any matter completely
objectively, and trust them also with any
donations. What if we found one for each
county who made it his or her duty to visit
the local farmers, listen to their concerns,
and say “Whats up with that 2%?”. They would
also be the first to hear about any farmer
with a legitimate need of aid in their
County as well. I bet you can think of three
as well.
Hmmmmm… Can it be done?
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2201 E. Michigan
Lansing, MI 48921
Phone: 517-894-3474
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WE ARE A PRIVATE CLUB for legal and licensed patients of the State of Michigan to acquire Medical marijuana in a safe, secure, and anonymous environment. A place for legal and licensed Caregivers in the State of Michigan to vend their services to ANY legal patient in the State of Michigan. NOTE: You MUST be a member of the private club known as C.A. in order to enter any private areas of the club.
C.A. have chosen to go well out of
our way to do everything above board, and gone out of
our way to do so in a way that makes the surrounding
community feel safe.
Such as:
-No smoking on site
-No growing of any kind on site
-ONLY working with LEGAL, current, and unexpired
cardholders.
-Limiting what any one patient can acquire in any given
14 day period (to avoid an unlawful re-sale, or an
unregulated flood of what according to Michigan voters
should be used as Medicinal Cannabis.
Doing our best to stay in touch with anyone who may like
to take a tour and see that we operate above board, and
provably legally in ALL our endeavors.
Good Law or Bad Law