Bill to Allow Michigan Medical Marijuana Sales Via Pharmacies Advances, But... Patients would have to give up their old MMJ cards and agree not to grow or sell marijuana themselves. The Michigan Senate passed a bill today that would allow pharmacies to sell medical marijuana, a contentious measure that some say would help the state’s cannabis industry and others fear would open the door to Big Pharma. The bill passed by a 22-16 margin. It now moves to the House, where a vigorous debate is expected. But it could all be for naught: Even if the bill gets the final green light, it won’t go into effect until (and unless) the federal government reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug. The Drug Enforcement Agency has the ability to reschedule marijuana, but it has rejected the notion in the past. Some industry insiders are therefore questioning whether the bill is just a big waste of time. “This seems to be a pie-in-the-sky idea, in that it would have no effect unless federal scheduling changes,” said cannabis attorney Matthew Abel. “That’s been the Holy Grail for a long time. So it doesn’t appear this would change anything in the near future.” The measure, Senate Bill 660, seeks to address a major problem with Michigan’s medical marijuana program: The initial law doesn’t outline approved methods for patients to get the drug, beyond caregivers. Under the measure, pharmacies could dispense marijuana to patients with “enhanced” medical cannabis cards under a separate registry than the one that currently exists. These pharmacies, as well as cultivation operations supplying them, would have to obtain licenses via the Michigan Board of Pharmacy. They would also be subject to regulations and inspections. Patients would have to give up their old MMJ cards and agree not to grow or sell marijuana themselves.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:35:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015