Court rules THCF clinic is a fraud

Ouch, THCF does not qualify as an authorizing health care practitioner to write mmj authorizations and as it turns out even a good faith effort on the part of a patient to have an on going (more than once a year) patient relationship with THCF is not tantamount to an ongoing relationship with your health care practitioner. They have been found to provide fraudulent documentation, and now that you know you could be convicted for marijuana crimes without being able to present the statutory defense of qualifying patient i.e.. you will be prohibited from presenting fraudulent documentation.

So here it is folks...

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v ROBERT LEE REDDEN, Defendant-Appellant. PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v TOREY ALISON CLARK, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 295809, No. 295810

COURT OF APPEALS OF MICHIGAN

2010 Mich. App. LEXIS 1671


September 14, 2010, Decided

NOTICE:

THIS OPINION IS UNCORRECTED AND SUBJECT TO REVISION BEFORE PUBLICATION IN THE MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS REPORTS.


PRIOR HISTORY: [*1]
Oakland Circuit Court. LC No. 2009-009020-AR. Oakland Circuit Court. LC No. 2009-009020-AR.


CASE SUMMARY

PROCEDURAL POSTURE: In a case involving the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, MCL 333.26421 et seq., defendants appealed the judgment of the Oakland Circuit Court (Michigan) that reversed a district court's dismissal of a single count of manufacturing 20 or more but less than 200 marijuana plants under MCL 333.7401(2)(d)(ii).

OVERVIEW: Defendants argued, inter alia, that there were no colorable issues concerning whether a bona fide physician-patient relationship existed. The court of appeals disagreed. There was evidence that the doctor's recommendations did not result from assessments made in the course of bona fide physician-patient relationships. The doctor testified that he was board-certified in ophthalmology. He answered "that's right," when asked the following question: "so, your sole employment, at this point, is to review people to see whether or not you think they can have marijuana under the Michigan Medical Marijuana -- or any other medical marijuana law, correct?" The doctor testified that he saw defendants once each and was currently working in at least six states. He refused to divulge what defendants' debilitating medical conditions were. The doctor indicated that he was not scheduled to see defendants again until they were due to renew their documentation for using marijuana for medical purposes. The facts at least raised an inference that defendants saw the doctor not for good-faith medical treatment but in order to obtain marijuana under false pretenses.

OUTCOME: The circuit court's decision to reverse the district court's bindover ruling was affirmed and the case was remanded for further proceedings.


CORE TERMS: patient, marijuana, marihuana, qualifying, caregiver, debilitating, medical condition, certification, physician-patient, doctor, arrest, registered, bona fide, affirmative defense, public health, registry, symptoms, identification cards, registration, enclosed, locked, state law, marijuana plants, pain, card, alleviate, assisting, treating, plants, grow


Criminal Law & Procedure > Appeals > Standards of Review > De Novo Review > General Overview
Governments > Legislation > Interpretation
An appellate court reviews issues of statutory interpretation de novo. Generally, the primary objective in construing a statute is to ascertain and give effect to the legislature's intent. The words of an initiative law are given their ordinary and customary meaning as would have been understood by the voters. The appellate court presumes that the meaning as plainly expressed in the statute is what was intended. The appellate court must avoid a construction that would render any part of a statute surplusage or nugatory, and the appellate court must consider both the plain meaning of the critical words or phrases as well as their placement and purpose in the statutory scheme.


Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Possession > General Overview
Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Substance Schedules > Hashish & Marijuana
Criminal Law & Procedure > Defenses > General Overview
Healthcare Law > Treatment > General Overview
See MCL 333.26424.


Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Possession > General Overview
Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Substance Schedules > Hashish & Marijuana
Criminal Law & Procedure > Defenses > General Overview
Healthcare Law > Treatment > General Overview
See MCL 333.26428.


Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Possession > General Overview
Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Substance Schedules > Hashish & Marijuana
Healthcare Law > Treatment > General Overview
A "qualifying patient" is defined as a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition. MCL 333.26423(h).


Criminal Law & Procedure > Preliminary Proceedings > Preliminary Hearings > Procedure & Scope
Criminal Law & Procedure > Appeals > Standards of Review > Abuse of Discretion > General Overview
Criminal Law & Procedure > Appeals > Standards of Review > De Novo Review > Conclusions of Law
Criminal Law & Procedure > Appeals > Standards of Review > Substantial Evidence > Sufficiency of Evidence
A district court's ruling that alleged conduct falls within the scope of a criminal law is a question of law that is reviewed de novo, but a decision to bind over a defendant based on the factual sufficiency of the evidence is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. When reviewing the bindover decision, a circuit court must consider the entire record of the preliminary examination and not substitute its judgment for that of the district court. An appellate court reviews the bindover decision de novo to determine whether the district court abused its discretion, giving no deference to the circuit court's decision.


Criminal Law & Procedure > Preliminary Proceedings > Preliminary Hearings > Evidence
Criminal Law & Procedure > Preliminary Proceedings > Preliminary Hearings > Procedure & Scope
Criminal Law & Procedure > Witnesses > Credibility
Criminal Law & Procedure > Defenses > General Overview
The primary function of a preliminary examination is to determine if a crime has been committed and, if so, if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed it. Probable cause is established by evidence sufficient to cause a person of ordinary prudence and caution to conscientiously entertain a reasonable belief of the accused's guilt. In order to establish that a crime has been committed, a prosecutor need not prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt, but must present some evidence of each element. If the evidence conflicts or raises a reasonable doubt concerning the defendant's guilt, he should nevertheless be bound over for trial, where a trier of fact can resolve the questions. Affirmative defenses in criminal cases should typically be presented and considered at trial and that a preliminary examination is not a trial. In a situation where the defense is complete and there are not conflicting facts regarding the defense, it could be argued that there would be no probable cause to believe a crime was committed. The district court must consider not only the weight and competency of the evidence, but also the credibility of the witnesses, and it may consider evidence in defense. The court cannot discharge a defendant if the evidence conflicts or raises reasonable doubt concerning a defendant's guilt, because this presents an issue for the trier of fact.


Governments > Legislation > Interpretation
When words or phrases are not defined in a statute, a dictionary may be consulted.


Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Possession > General Overview
Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Substance Schedules > Hashish & Marijuana
Healthcare Law > Treatment > General Overview
MCL 333.26427(b)(5) states that the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, MCL 333.26421 et seq., shall not permit any person to use marihuana if that person does not have a serious or debilitating medical condition. MCL 333.26427(b)(5).


Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Possession > General Overview
Criminal Law & Procedure > Criminal Offenses > Controlled Substances > Substance Schedules > Hashish & Marijuana
Healthcare Law > Treatment > General Overview
See MCL 333.26423.


JUDGES: Before: O'CONNELL, P.J., and METER and OWENS, JJ. O'CONNELL, P.J. (concurring).

OPINION BY: Patrick M. Meter

OPINION

METER, J.

In this case involving the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), MCL 333.26421 et seq., defendant Robert Lee Redden and defendant Torey Alison Clark appeal by leave granted from a December 10, 2009, circuit court order reversing for each defendant the district court's dismissal of a single count of manufacturing 20 or more but less than 200 marijuana plants, MCL 333.7401(2)(d)(ii). We affirm the circuit court's decision to reinstate the charges.
I. FACTS

This case arose from the execution of a search warrant at defendants' residence in Madison Heights, which resulted in the discovery of approximately one and one-half ounces of marijuana and 21 marijuana plants. Officer Kirk Walker and Officer Mark Moine of the Madison Heights Police Department testified that on March 30, 2009, at approximately 7:50 p.m., they arrived at the residence with four other officers to execute a search warrant for the purpose of looking for marijuana and other illegal substances.

Defendants and another unidentified individual [*2] were found in the residence and were secured by the officers. The officers found proof of residency for defendants and $ 531 in cash. Officers also found three bags of marijuana in a bedroom. In addition, they found 21 marijuana plants, which were all between three and four inches tall, on the floor of a closet in the same bedroom. Field tests of these items were positive for marijuana. Officers did not find any scales, small plastic bags, or packaging materials in the residence.

At some point during the search, Redden stated that he was in pain. Defendants also each turned over documents regarding their use of marijuana for medical purposes. The documents, which were dated March 3, 2009, for Redden, and March 4, 2009, for Clark, were admitted into evidence. Each document stated:

I, Eric Eisenbud, MD, am a physician, duly licensed in the State of Michigan. I have completed a full assessment of this patient's medical history, and I am treating this patient for a terminal illness or a debilitating condition as defined in Michigan's medical marijuana law. I completed a full assessment of this patient's current medical condition. The assessment was made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient [*3] relationship. I have advised the patient about the potential risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana. I have formed my professional opinion that the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh any health risks for the patient. This patient is LIKELY to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marijuana to treat or alleviate a serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the serious or debilitating medical condition. [Emphasis in original.]

The MMMA went into effect on December 4, 2008, but, according to Walker, the state of Michigan did not begin issuing registry identification cards until April 4, 2009. The Michigan Department of Community Health issued medical marijuana registry identification cards to each defendant on April 20, 2009, but this was after the search in this case took place.

As part of the preliminary examination, defendants asserted the affirmative defense contained in § 8 of the MMMA, MCL 333.26428. 1 In support of the defense, defendants presented testimony from Dr. Eric Eisenbud, M.D., who testified that he attended the University of Colorado Medical School and has been a physician for 37 [*4] years. He is licensed to practice in seven states, including Michigan, and is board certified in ophthalmology. Dr. Eisenbud also had worked in the past as an emergency room practitioner and a family practitioner. At the time of the preliminary examination, Dr. Eisenbud had worked for the past 19 months for The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF) Medical Clinic. He testified that he is "not from Michigan" and was currently working in six out of the seven states in which he is licensed to practice medicine, although he later suggested that he was working in all seven states. 2

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1 MCL 333.26428, which is quoted in its entirety infra, states that a medical-purpose defense shall be presumed valid if, among other things:

(1) A physician has stated that, in the physician's professional opinion, after having completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship, the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical [*5] condition . . . .

2 We note that Dr. Eisenbud did not indicate where his "home base" is, he did not indicate where his examinations of defendants took place, and he did not indicate where the TCHF Medical Clinic is located.

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Dr. Eisenbud testified that defendants were his patients and he examined each of them on March 3, 2009, when both were seeking to be permitted to use medical marijuana under the MMMA. A clinic technician screened defendants before their appointment in a telephone interview and by reviewing their medical records. Dr. Eisenbud met with each defendant for about half an hour, spending five minutes reviewing the medical records and about ten minutes on the physical examination; he also interviewed them. For both defendants, during the ten-minute physical examination, Dr. Eisenbud examined their general appearance and skin, listened to their lungs, examined their abdomen, examined their head and neck, did a neurological and cardiovascular assessment, and assessed mental health.

Dr. Eisenbud testified that he signed the authorization for each defendant in his professional capacity because each qualified under the MMMA and each would benefit from using medical marijuana. He [*6] opined that his relationship with each defendant was a bona fide physician-patient relationship because he interviewed defendants, examined them, and looked at their medical records in order to gain a full understanding of their medical problems. Dr. Eisenbud acknowledged that the THCF Medical Clinic did not require patients to bring their complete medical records. The records from Redden were from two years before his examination by Dr. Eisenbud, and Clark's records were from a year before her examination by Dr. Eisenbud.

Regarding Redden, Dr. Eisenbud concluded that he had a debilitating condition that caused pain, satisfying the MMMA. Regarding Clark, Dr. Eisenbud concluded, based on her medical records and interviewing her, that she suffered from nausea. Dr. Eisenbud did not testify regarding what caused Redden's pain and Clark's nausea. Dr. Eisenbud only examined each defendant once. He viewed the only risk of defendants' using marijuana as related to driving; he indicated that they should not drive within four hours of using it.

Dr. Eisenbud testified that defendants did not consult with any other doctors regarding medical-marijuana authorization before their appointments with [*7] him. According to Dr. Eisenbud, each defendant was using other narcotics for their conditions, and he opined that access to marijuana would give them the opportunity to wean themselves off of those narcotics.

The parties stipulated that Redden had two previous convictions for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

During the preliminary examination, the prosecution argued that defendants were not entitled to assert the affirmative defense from § 8 of the MMMA because they did not each have a registry identification card at the time of the offense as required by § 4(a) of the MMMA, MCL 333.26424(a). 3 The prosecution acknowledged that defendants could not have obtained a card previously because the state had yet to begin issuing them. However, the prosecution contended that defendants were required to abstain from marijuana use until they were able to obtain a card. Defendants argued that the plain language of § 8 of the MMMA did not require possession of a card.

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3 MCL 333.26424(a) provides:

A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, [*8] including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifying patient possesses an amount of marihuana that does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marihuana, and, if the qualifying patient has not specified that a primary caregiver will be allowed under state law to cultivate marihuana for the qualifying patient, 12 marihuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility. Any incidental amount of seeds, stalks, and unusable roots shall also be allowed under state law and shall not be included in this amount.


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The prosecution argued that under the probable-cause standard, the evidence showed that defendants were engaged in the manufacturing of marijuana. The prosecution contended that defendants failed to comply with § 8 of the MMMA because they had not shown a bona fide patient-physician relationship with Dr. Eisenbud and also failed to establish that they possessed an amount of marijuana that was not more than was reasonably necessary to ensure uninterrupted availability for the purpose of treating their conditions. Defendants [*9] argued that they each met the requirements of § 8 because they each had a signed authorization from a licensed physician with whom they had a bona fide physician-patient relationship and who concluded that they each had conditions covered under the MMMA. Defendants also argued that the amount of marijuana was reasonably necessary.
II. LOWER-COURT RULINGS

The district court noted that the MMMA "is probably one of the worst pieces of legislation I've ever seen in my life," and went on to state:

[S]ection 8 says section 4 doesn't really have any meaning. If you don't have a card and you happen to be arrested, just make sure you have a doctor who will testify in court that you needed medical marijuana in order to have that case dismissed.

The burden's on defendant at the evidentiary hearing to have section 8 apply to show what a reasonable amount of marijuana is. It doesn't say what a reasonable amount is. It would seem practical to me that they would have included the same amount that was in section 4 if they believed that was a reasonable amount. But, instead, they just leave it to, I guess, every other judge's decision as to what they think is reasonable.

It -- it's just one of the worst [*10] pieces of legislation I've ever seen. . . . [I]t appears that section 8, the intent of it is to allow anyone who possesses marijuana with a doctor's certification, I guess at the time of the hearing, that the case would have to be dismissed. Because it says in section [8](b) that the charges shall be dismissed following an evidentiary hearing where the person shows the elements listed in subsection a. Well, one of the elements in subsection (a) is possessing a reasonable quantity of marijuana.

I still don't know what a reasonable quantity of marijuana is unless I go to section 4. Section 4 says 2-point-5 ounces, I believe, 12 plants, but you also have to have a valid registration card.

So, these people possessed no registration card, but yet they want the benefit of Section 4 to apply to section 8.

The district court also noted that although Dr. Eisenbud testified regarding defendants' legitimate need to use marijuana for medical purposes, there was no testimony regarding what was a reasonably necessary amount for defendants to possess. The district court concluded that it would simply apply the amount of two and one-half ounces and 12 plants set by § 4 as what was reasonably necessary, [*11] and it granted defendants' motion to dismiss, explaining:

For that reason, I believe that section 8 entitles the defendants to a dismissal, even though they did not possess the valid medical card, because section 8 says if they can show the fact that a doctor believed that they were likely to receive a therapeutic benefit, and this doctor testified to that [sic]. And Dr. Eisenbud is a physician licensed by the State of Michigan. And that's the only requirement that the statute has. You don't have to be any type of physician, you just have to be a licensed physician by the State of Michigan.

So, based on that, I find section 8 does apply. And I believe I'm obligated to dismiss this matter based on section 8 of the statute.

Regarding the prosecution's request for a clarification about whether "the doctor's testimony rose to the level of a bona fide physician-patient relationship," the district court stated:

Based on his testimony, he indicated that he -- he read their medical records, he saw them, and I think his total time was about half an hour totally spent with them, which, based on my own personal experience, I don't find inconsistent with my own doctor. So I guess it's a bona fide [*12] relationship.

The district court then entered an order of dismissal on the same day as the hearing, July 17, 2009.

The prosecution subsequently appealed the order of dismissal to the circuit court. On December 18, 2009, the circuit court issued an opinion and order reversing the district court's order and remanding the case to the district court for further proceedings. The circuit court ruled that the district court had abused its discretion by not binding defendants over for trial because it had improperly acted as a trier of fact. The circuit court ruled that, in this case, the affirmative defense must be addressed in the trial court in order for proper discovery and rebuttal to take place.

The circuit court also considered questionable the issue regarding whether defendants should be allowed to raise the affirmative defense at all, because defendants did not have valid registry identification cards as required by § 4 of the MMMA, together possessed more than the amount of marijuana permitted under § 4, and did not keep their marijuana plants in "an enclosed, locked facility," which is also required under § 4.

The circuit court then emphasized that there was a disputed question regarding [*13] whether Dr. Eisenbud had a bona fide physician-patient relationship with defendants. The circuit court concluded:

[T]here was competent evidence in support of the bindover. For the district judge to deny the bindover was an abuse of discretion. Specifically, the district judge failed to properly exercise his judgment by relying solely on Dr. Eisenbud's testimony, and by ignoring the evidence presented by the People regarding defendants' actions that showed that they did not meet the criteria of the affirmative defense. The evidence in support of the affirmative defense was not developed sufficiently to support the district judge's decision to deny the bindover.

III. A REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD IS NOT REQUIRED FOR A § 8 DEFENSE

Defendants argue that the circuit court erred in ruling that because defendants did not obtain a registry identification card in order to satisfy the conditions of § 4 of the MMMA, they could not assert the affirmative defense contained in § 8. 4

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4 The circuit court's ruling was somewhat ambiguous with regard to this issue; it stated that "it is questionable whether Defendants are entitled to assert the affirmative defense contained in the MMMA."

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A. STANDARD OF [*14] REVIEW

This issue presents a question of statutory interpretation. We review issues of statutory interpretation de novo. People v Stone Transport, Inc, 241 Mich App 49, 50; 613 NW2d 737 (2000). Generally, the primary objective in construing a statute is to ascertain and give effect to the Legislature's intent. People v Williams, 475 Mich 245, 250; 716 NW2d 208 (2006). The MMMA was enacted as a result of an initiative adopted by the voters. "The words of an initiative law are given their ordinary and customary meaning as would have been understood by the voters." Welch Foods, Inc v Attorney General, 213 Mich App 459, 461; 540 NW2d 693 (1995). We presume that the meaning as plainly expressed in the statute is what was intended. Id. This Court must avoid a construction that would render any part of a statute surplusage or nugatory, and "[w]e must consider both the plain meaning of the critical words or phrases as well as their placement and purpose in the statutory scheme." People v Williams, 268 Mich App 416, 425-426; 707 NW2d 624 (2005).
B. ANALYSIS

This issue involves sections 4, 7, and 8 of the MMMA. Section 4 provides, in relevant part:

(a) A qualifying patient who has been issued and [*15] possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifying patient possesses an amount of marihuana that does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marihuana, and, if the qualifying patient has not specified that a primary caregiver will be allowed under state law to cultivate marihuana for the qualifying patient, 12 marihuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility. Any incidental amount of seeds, stalks, and unusable roots shall also be allowed under state law and shall not be included in this amount.

* * *

(c) 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.

(d) There shall be a presumption that a qualifying patient or primary caregiver is engaged in the medical use of marihuana in accordance [*16] with this act if the qualifying patient or primary caregiver:

(1) is in possession of a registry identification card; and

(2) is in possession of an amount of marihuana that does not exceed the amount allowed under this act. The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that conduct related to marihuana was not for the purpose of alleviating the qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition, in accordance with this act. 5 [MCL 333.26424.]

Section 8 provides:

(a) Except as provided in section 7, a patient and a patient's primary caregiver, if any, may assert the medical purpose for using marihuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marihuana, and this defense shall be presumed valid where the evidence shows that:

(1) A physician has stated that, in the physician's professional opinion, after having completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship, the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical [*17] condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition;

(2) The patient and the patient's primary caregiver, if any, were collectively in possession of a quantity of marihuana that was not more than was reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of marihuana for the purpose of treating or alleviating the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition; and

(3) The patient and the patient's primary caregiver, if any, were engaged in the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition.

(b) A person may assert the medical purpose for using marihuana in a motion to dismiss, and the charges shall be dismissed following an evidentiary hearing where the person shows the elements listed in subsection (a).

(c) If a patient or a patient's primary caregiver demonstrates the patient's medical purpose for using marihuana pursuant [*18] to this section, the patient and the patient's primary caregiver shall not be subject to the following for the patient's medical use of marihuana:

(1) disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau; or

(2) forfeiture of any interest in or right to property. [MCL 333.26428.]


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5 It is not clear how the immunity from arrest in § 4(a) interplays with the rebuttable presumption in § 8(c)(2). However, this issue is not before the Court today.

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As an initial matter, the plain language of § 8 does not place any restriction on defendants' raising of the affirmative defense. Nevertheless, the prosecution argues that the affirmative defense under § 8 is unavailable to defendants because they did not possess valid registry identification cards at the time of the offense, in violation of § 4. The prosecution bases its position on the language in § 8(a) that provides:

Except as provided in section 7, a patient and a patient's primary caregiver, if any, may assert the medical purpose for using marihuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marihuana, and this defense shall be presumed valid where the evidence shows that . . . . [MCL 333.26428(a) (emphasis [*19] added).]

Section 7(b) provides a host of instances where the protection of the affirmative defense under § 8 would not be permitted, but none of those situations are at issue in this case. See MCL 333.26427(b). 6 However, the prosecution points to § 7(a), which provides that "[t]he medical use of marihuana is allowed under state law to the extent that it is carried out in accordance with the provisions of this act." MCL 333.26427(a). The prosecution contends that this section justifies its position that § 4 must be adhered to in order for a defendant to invoke § 8, because the affirmative defense is only available to a defendant who complies with the other provisions of the MMMA.

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6 Section 7 states:

(a) The medical use of marihuana is allowed under state law to the extent that it is carried out in accordance with the provisions of this act.

(b) This act shall not permit any person to do any of the following:

(1) Undertake any task under the influence of marihuana, when doing so would constitute negligence or professional malpractice.

(2) Possess marihuana, or otherwise engage in the medical use of marihuana:

(A) in a school bus;

(B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school; [*20] or

(C) in any correctional facility.

(3) Smoke marihuana:

(A) on any form of public transportation; or

(B) in any public place.

(4) Operate, navigate, or be in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while under the influence of marihuana.

(5) Use marihuana if that person does not have a serious or debilitating medical condition.

(c) Nothing in this act shall be construed to require:

(1) A government medical assistance program or commercial or non-profit health insurer to reimburse a person for costs associated with the medical use of marihuana.

(2) An employer to accommodate the ingestion of marihuana in any workplace or any employee working while under the influence of marihuana.

(d) Fraudulent representation to a law enforcement official of any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of marihuana to avoid arrest or prosecution shall be punishable by a fine of $ 500.00, which shall be in addition to any other penalties that may apply for making a false statement or for the use of marihuana other than use undertaken pursuant to this act.

(e) All other acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act do not apply to the medical use of marihuana as provided [*21] for by this act. [MCL 333.26427.]


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However, as defendants argue, this position ignores that the MMMA provides two ways in which to show legal use of marijuana for medical purposes in accordance with the act. Individuals may either register and obtain a registry identification card under § 4 or remain unregistered and, if facing criminal prosecution, be forced to assert the affirmative defense in § 8.

The plain language of the MMMA supports this view. Section 4 refers to a "qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card" and protects a qualifying patient from "arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner . . . ." 7 MCL 333.26424(a). On the other hand, § 8(a) refers only to a "patient," not a qualifying patient, and only permits a patient to "assert the medical purpose for using marihuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marihuana . . . ." MCL 333.26428(a). Thus, adherence to § 4 provides protection that differs from that of § 8. Because of the differing levels of protection in sections 4 and 8, the plain language of the statute establishes that § 8 is applicable for a patient who does not satisfy § 4.

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7 A "[q]ualifying patient is defined as "a [*22] person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition." MCL 333.26423(h).

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The language of the ballot proposal itself supports this interpretation. The ballot proposal, Proposal 08-1, stated that the law would:

. Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.

. Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility,

. Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.

. Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana. [Emphasis added.]

The ballot proposal explicitly informed voters that the law would permit registered and unregistered patients to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana. The language supports the view that [*23] registered patients under § 4 and unregistered patients under § 8 would be able to assert medical use of marijuana as a defense. Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not err by permitting defendants to raise the affirmative defense even though neither satisfied the registry-identification-card requirement of § 4. 8


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8 Although defendants do not raise this as an issue on appeal, the prosecution argues that a § 8 defense was not viable because the marijuana in question was not kept in an "enclosed, locked facility." We note that the language concerning an "enclosed, locked facility" is set forth in the context of § 4, not in the context of § 8. Nevertheless, as with the discovery issue mentioned in footnote 11, we decline to address this issue without the benefit of full briefing by the parties. Presumably further proceedings will take place with regard to this issue.

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IV. THE CIRCUIT COURT PROPERLY REVERSED THE BINDOVER DECISION

Defendants next contend that the circuit court erred by ruling that the district court was precluded from ruling that defendants' use of medical marijuana was permitted under the MMMA. We find no basis on which to reverse the circuit court's disposition, [*24] because there are indeed triable issues in this case, and the district court improperly acted as a trier of fact in denying the bindover.
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW

"A district court's ruling that alleged conduct falls within the scope of a criminal law is a question of law that is reviewed de novo, but a decision to bind over a defendant based on the factual sufficiency of the evidence is reviewed for an abuse of discretion." People v Henderson, 282 Mich App 307, 312; 765 NW2d 619 (2009). When reviewing the bindover decision, a circuit court must consider the entire record of the preliminary examination and not substitute its judgment for that of the district court. Id. at 312-313. This Court reviews the bindover decision de novo to determine whether the district court abused its discretion, giving no deference to the circuit court's decision. Id.
B. ANALYSIS

"The primary function of a preliminary examination is to determine if a crime has been committed and, if so, if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed it." People v Glass (After Remand), 464 Mich 266, 277; 627 NW2d 261 (2001). Probable cause is established by evidence "sufficient to cause a person of ordinary [*25] prudence and caution to conscientiously entertain a reasonable belief of the accused's guilt." People v Yost, 468 Mich 122, 126; 659 NW2d 604 (2003) (citation and quotation marks omitted). In order to establish that a crime has been committed, a prosecutor need not prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt, but must present some evidence of each element. See id. If the evidence conflicts or raises a reasonable doubt concerning the defendant's guilt, the defendant should nevertheless be bound over for trial, where the trier of fact can resolve the questions. Id. at 128.

This Court has recognized "that affirmative defenses in criminal cases should typically be presented and considered at trial and that a preliminary examination is not a trial." People v Waltonen, 272 Mich App 678, 690 n 5; 728 NW2d 881 (2006). In Waltonen, this Court went on to note that in a situation where the defense is complete and there are not conflicting facts regarding the defense, it could be argued that there would be no probable cause to believe a crime was committed. Id.

The district court must consider not only the weight and competency of the evidence, but also the credibility of the witnesses, and it [*26] may consider evidence in defense. 9 People v King, 412 Mich 145, 153-154; 312 NW2d 629 (1981). As noted, however, the district court cannot discharge a defendant if the evidence conflicts or raises reasonable doubt concerning a defendant's guilt, because this presents an issue for the trier of fact. Id.

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9 With regard to preliminary examinations, MCL 766.12 permits "witnesses for the prisoner, if he [has] any . . . [to] be sworn, examined and cross-examined," and MCR 6.110(C) permits "[e]ach party . . . [to] subpoena witnesses, offer proofs, and examine and cross-examine witnesses at the preliminary examination."

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Here, there was evidence that the defense was not complete, cf. Waltonen, 272 Mich App at 690 n 5, and there were colorable issues for the trier of fact, see King, 412 Mich at 153-154. Specifically, we find that there were colorable issues concerning whether a bona fide physician-patient relationship existed, whether the amount of marijuana defendants possessed was reasonable under the statute, whether the marijuana in question was being used for medical purposes, and whether defendants suffered from serious or debilitating medical conditions.

(1) BONA [*27] FIDE PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

MCL 333.26428(a)(1) states that a medical-purpose defense shall be presumed valid if:

A physician has stated that, in the physician's professional opinion, after having completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship, the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition . . . .

We find that there was evidence in this particular case that the doctor's recommendations did not result from assessments made in the course of bona fide physician-patient relationships. 10 Dr. Eisenbud testified that he was board-certified in ophthalmology. He answered "That's right," when asked the following question: "So, your sole employment, at this point, is to review people to see whether or not you think they can have marijuana under the Michigan Medical Marijuana -- or any other medical marijuana law, correct?" He testified that he saw Clark and Redden once each and was [*28] currently working in at least six states. He refused to divulge what defendants' debilitating medical conditions were. Dr. Eisenbud indicated that he was not scheduled to see defendants again until they were due to renew their documentation for using marijuana for medical purposes.

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10 We reject defendants' argument that the prosecution waived the issue concerning whether a bona fide physician-patient relationship existed. First, the prosecution clearly did raise the issue below. Second, the district court had a duty to determine whether there was an issue for trial; in doing so, it was obligated to review § 8 in its entirety to determine whether any triable issues existed.

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The MMMA does not define the phrase "bona fide physician-patient relationship." When words or phrases are not defined in a statute, a dictionary may be consulted. People v Peals, 476 Mich 636, 641; 720 NW2d 196 (2006). Random House Webster's College Dictionary (1997) defines "bona fide" as "1. made, done, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud. 2. authentic; genuine; real." We do not intend to legislate from the bench and define exactly what must take place in order for a bona fide physician-patient relationship [*29] to exist. We do find, however, that the specific facts in this case, as set forth in the prior paragraph, were sufficient to raise an issue for the trier of fact concerning whether the doctor's recommendations resulted from assessments made in the course of bona fide physician-patient relationships between Dr. Eisenbud and Redden and between Dr. Eisenbud and Clark. Indeed, the facts at least raise an inference that defendants saw Dr. Eisenbud not for good-faith medical treatment but in order to obtain marijuana under false pretenses. Accordingly, the district court erred in finding as a matter of law that defendants had satisfied all the requirements of a § 8 defense.

(2) AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA POSSESSED

MCL 333.26428(a)(2) states that the § 8 affirmative defense will be presumed valid if

[t]he patient and the patient's primary caregiver, if any, were collectively in possession of a quantity of marihuana that was not more than was reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of marihuana for the purpose of treating or alleviating the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition . . . .

There was [*30] no testimony or evidence presented regarding whether the amount of marijuana possessed by defendants was "not more than was reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of marihuana for the purpose of treating or alleviating the patient's . . . condition or symptoms . . . ." Id. Defendants were found in possession of approximately one and one-half ounces of marijuana and 21 marijuana plants. The district court addressed this element of the affirmative defense and concluded that because the amount of marijuana, when divided between defendants, was less than that of the two and one-half ounces and 12 marijuana plants permitted under § 4, this portion of the affirmative defense was satisfied.

However, the plain language of the statute does not support that the amount stated in § 4 is equivalent to the "reasonably necessary" amount under § 8(a)(2). Indeed, if the intent of the statute were to have the amount in § 4 apply to § 8, the § 4 amount would have been reinserted into § 8(a)(2), instead of the language concerning an amount "reasonably necessary to ensure . . . uninterrupted availability . . . ." MCL 333.26428(a)(2). Without any evidence on this element of the affirmative [*31] defense, the district court could not have properly found the affirmative defense established as a matter of law. There was a colorable question of fact concerning whether the amount possessed was in accordance with the statute.

(3) PURPOSE OF MARIJUANA IN QUESTION

MCL 333.26428(a)(3) indicates that, for the medical-purpose defense to be valid, evidence must show that

[t]he patient and the patient's primary caregiver, if any, were engaged in the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition.

Here, there was testimony and evidence that Redden and Clark could benefit from the medical use of marijuana. However, although an inference could be made that the specific marijuana they allegedly manufactured was being manufactured for medical purposes, there was no explicit testimony or other evidence establishing this fact. Therefore, we find that there was considerable doubt concerning whether defendants satisfied this portion of the defense, [*32] see King, 412 Mich at 153-154, and the district court therefore should not have concluded that the defense was established as a matter of law.

(4) SERIOUS OR DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Dr. Eisenbud did not identify the nature of defendants' debilitating medical conditions, beyond stating that Redden had "pain" and Clark had "nausea." Section § 7(b)(5) states that the MMMA "shall not permit any person to . . . [u]se marihuana if that person does not have a serious or debilitating medical condition." MCL 333.26427(b)(5). Section 3, the definitions section of the MMMA, states:

(a) "Debilitating medical condition" means 1 or more of the following:

(1) Cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimer's disease, nail patella, or the treatment of these conditions.

(2) A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces 1 or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle [*33] spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis.

(3) Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the department, as provided for in section 5(a). [MCL 333.26423.]

Section 3 does not define the phrase "serious medical condition." MCL 333.26423.

In his written documents, Dr. Eisenbud stated that each defendant was likely to receive benefit from marijuana to "treat or alleviate a serious or debilitating medical condition . . . ." However, he stated only that he was treating each defendant for "a terminal illness or a debilitating condition as defined in Michigan's medical marijuana law." He then stated at the preliminary examination that Redden had a "debilitating condition." When asked what the condition was, he replied "pain." Dr. Eisenbud stated that Clark's debilitating condition was "nausea."

We find that defendants did not establish at the preliminary examination as a matter of law that they had serious or debilitating medical conditions as required by the MMMA. With regard to the phrase "serious medical condition," Random House Webster's College Dictionary (1997) defines "serious," in this context, as "weighty, important, or significant" [*34] and "giving cause for apprehension; critical or threatening[.]" Without knowing the nature of defendants' medical conditions, it is not possible to determine whether they are "serious." With regard to the phrase "debilitating medical condition," MCL 333.26423(a)(2) indicates that this phrase includes "[a] chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces 1 or more of the following: . . . severe and chronic pain; severe nausea . . . ." Dr. Eisenbud indicated that Redden suffered merely from "pain" and that Clark suffered merely from "nausea." This evidence was not sufficient to satisfy the definition set forth in MCL 333.26423(a)(2). The district court therefore erred in concluding that defendants satisfied the requirements of the MMMA as a matter of law. Whether each defendant suffered from a serious or debilitating medical condition is yet another matter for further proceedings. 11

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11 Defendants tangentially raise the issue regarding whether the prosecution is entitled to discovery of their medical records. The prosecution does not substantively address this argument in its appellate brief. We find that this issue is not currently ripe for review and [*35] decline to address it without the benefit of full briefing by the parties. The circuit court was evidently cognizant of the implications of further discovery and presumably further proceedings will occur with respect to it.

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The circuit court's decision to reverse the district court's bindover ruling is affirmed, and this case is remanded for further proceedings. We do not retain jurisdiction.

/s/ Patrick M. Meter

/s/ Donald S. Owens

Crap, I just got my lic renewed through them. Does this mean the State of
Colorado is going to reject me?

This doesn't appear to be a THCF problem its another case that wasn't handled very well in the courtroom. This could happen to any doctor even my own doctor. I have never spent more than 10 minutes with my own doctor and usually only once a year to get my prescriptions. So what THCF does it not unusual. They have copies of your medical records, they look them over for a qualifying condition, they give you a quick physical and then you get the authorization. There is nothing shady or illegal about this. Its the way all doctors no matter what field they are in.
During the preliminary examination, the prosecution argued that defendants were not entitled to assert the affirmative defense from § 8 of the MMMA because they did not each have a registry identification card at the time of the offense as required by § 4(a) of the MMMA, MCL 333.26424(a). 3 The prosecution acknowledged that defendants could not have obtained a card previously because the state had yet to begin issuing them. However, the prosecution contended that defendants were required to abstain from marijuana use until they were able to obtain a card. Defendants argued that the plain language of § 8 of the MMMA did not require possession of a card.
This was the main arguement but the patients were still legal. Because you don't need a card.
The district court noted that the MMMA "is probably one of the worst pieces of legislation I've ever seen in my life," and went on to state:

[S]ection 8 says section 4 doesn't really have any meaning. If you don't have a card and you happen to be arrested, just make sure you have a doctor who will testify in court that you needed medical marijuana in order to have that case dismissed.

The burden's on defendant at the evidentiary hearing to have section 8 apply to show what a reasonable amount of marijuana is. It doesn't say what a reasonable amount is. It would seem practical to me that they would have included the same amount that was in section 4 if they believed that was a reasonable amount. But, instead, they just leave it to, I guess, every other judge's decision as to what they think is reasonable.

It -- it's just one of the worst [*10] pieces of legislation I've ever seen. . . . [I]t appears that section 8, the intent of it is to allow anyone who possesses marijuana with a doctor's certification, I guess at the time of the hearing, that the case would have to be dismissed. Because it says in section [8](b) that the charges shall be dismissed following an evidentiary hearing where the person shows the elements listed in subsection a. Well, one of the elements in subsection (a) is possessing a reasonable quantity of marijuana.

I still don't know what a reasonable quantity of marijuana is unless I go to section 4. Section 4 says 2-point-5 ounces, I believe, 12 plants, but you also have to have a valid registration card.

So, these people possessed no registration card, but yet they want the benefit of Section 4 to apply to section 8.
This should have been the correct response.
The district court also noted that although Dr. Eisenbud testified regarding defendants' legitimate need to use marijuana for medical purposes, there was no testimony regarding what was a reasonably necessary amount for defendants to possess. The district court concluded that it would simply apply the amount of two and one-half ounces and 12 plants set by § 4 as what was reasonably necessary, [*11] and it granted defendants' motion to dismiss, explaining:

For that reason, I believe that section 8 entitles the defendants to a dismissal, even though they did not possess the valid medical card, because section 8 says if they can show the fact that a doctor believed that they were likely to receive a therapeutic benefit, and this doctor testified to that [sic]. And Dr. Eisenbud is a physician licensed by the State of Michigan. And that's the only requirement that the statute has. You don't have to be any type of physician, you just have to be a licensed physician by the State of Michigan.

So, based on that, I find section 8 does apply. And I believe I'm obligated to dismiss this matter based on section 8 of the statute.

Regarding the prosecution's request for a clarification about whether "the doctor's testimony rose to the level of a bona fide physician-patient relationship," the district court stated:

Based on his testimony, he indicated that he -- he read their medical records, he saw them, and I think his total time was about half an hour totally spent with them, which, based on my own personal experience, I don't find inconsistent with my own doctor. So I guess it's a bona fide [*12] relationship.

The district court then entered an order of dismissal on the same day as the hearing, July 17, 2009.

The prosecution subsequently appealed the order of dismissal to the circuit court. On December 18, 2009, the circuit court issued an opinion and order reversing the district court's order and remanding the case to the district court for further proceedings. The circuit court ruled that the district court had abused its discretion by not binding defendants over for trial because it had improperly acted as a trier of fact. The circuit court ruled that, in this case, the affirmative defense must be addressed in the trial court in order for proper discovery and rebuttal to take place.

The circuit court also considered questionable the issue regarding whether defendants should be allowed to raise the affirmative defense at all, because defendants did not have valid registry identification cards as required by § 4 of the MMMA, together possessed more than the amount of marijuana permitted under § 4, and did not keep their marijuana plants in "an enclosed, locked facility," which is also required under § 4.

The circuit court then emphasized that there was a disputed question regarding [*13] whether Dr. Eisenbud had a bona fide physician-patient relationship with defendants. The circuit court concluded:

[T]here was competent evidence in support of the bindover. For the district judge to deny the bindover was an abuse of discretion. Specifically, the district judge failed to properly exercise his judgment by relying solely on Dr. Eisenbud's testimony, and by ignoring the evidence presented by the People regarding defendants' actions that showed that they did not meet the criteria of the affirmative defense. The evidence in support of the affirmative defense was not developed sufficiently to support the district judge's decision to deny the bindover.

III. A REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD IS NOT REQUIRED FOR A § 8 DEFENSE

Defendants argue that the circuit court erred in ruling that because defendants did not obtain a registry identification card in order to satisfy the conditions of § 4 of the MMMA, they could not assert the affirmative defense contained in § 8. 4
And this is the section that every state is grappling with. Even the legislative attorneys have been unable to draft a clear concise description of what it should take to be legal. But the court is supposed to follow the intent of the law, which the district court did, but then the prosecutor pressed on with an appeal to try and get a different judge that was probably already leaning to the prosecution side to begin with. Anyone that has been envolved in any court case knows that the prosecutor is who holds all the aces in the courtroom. He's the one that gets to decide which attorney gets the case, he has all the money and resources of that county or state at his hands. Its a broke system and not much we can do about it.
But I restate, the first judge made the right legal decision and then it became politics after that.

KW,

You must have missed this part here:
At the time of the preliminary examination Dr. Eisenbud had worked for the past 19 months for The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF) Medical Clinic. He testified that he is "not from Michigan" and was currently working in six out of the seven states in which he is licensed to practice medicine, although he later suggested that he was working in all seven states.

This is a THCF case, not some other case involving some other clinic or doctors...

This is not the only case which shows the patient-doctor relationship was the view point of the appeal...this is not a political case..it is explicitly a public policy case of the learned professions doctrine...pay attention here please.

THIS CASE EXPLICITLY SHOWS THCF IS GIVING PATIENTS FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTAION!!! THIS WILL SNOWBALL INTO WA...REAL SOON LIKE...

Remember my case in wa. touches all these same legal issues and more!! I don't see any patient with thcf documentation getting any love from our strict wa. courts...do you?? If so please explain how this would work.

Looks to me like this case is not yet decided but that a lower courts ruling was overturned and it will now move forward.

One to watch for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by McLuvin

Crap, I just got my lic renewed through them. Does this mean the State of
Colorado is going to reject me?

---

This means a court of law in the appeal process ruled THCF doctors are not operating according to public policy of a bona-fide patient physician relationship..this in turn affects "ALL" THCF clinic patients via the state filing a motion to exclude your defense to criminal charges filed...

If you don't care about being convicted on marijuana charges, then this don't affect you but, if you seen any THCF clinic for specific protection according to state law, then you had best ASAP get into a bona-fide patient-doctor relationship..i.e. DON'T USE A DOC-IN-THE-BOX JAMES SR. HAS PUBLICLY EXPLAINED HERE...CAN'T SAY SOMEONE DIDN'T TELL YA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by justpics

Looks to me like this case is not yet decided but that a lower courts ruling was overturned and it will now move forward.

One to watch for sure.

---

I told you justpics...and I don't see a higher court overturning this courts finding as it is based on public policy which won't change in the learned professions arena. Just the way it is in the U.S....

This is a real pink elephant in the room for sure.

So the dismisal before trial was overturned and now they go to trial right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by justpics

So the dismisal before trial was overturned and now they go to trial right?

---

Going to trial would not be prudent for a patient attempting to bring any defenses since the authorization is void on it's face...not conducive at all. Plea to a lesser included charge is the only way out for the patient being one has no defenses....

So the answer to this specific case would require a big huge no...appeal the courts ruling is the way to even attempt to begin to fight the rulings herein..

Motioning for a new trial is not in the way the courts work in cases like this one...you of all people should know this justpics.

just my two cents...

THIS IS FUCKING STUPID, LEGALIZE THE DAMN SHIT ALREADY. there shouldnt be any crime for smoking a damn harmless plant, their is other things on earth that if eaten can kill you, but we cant smoke a harmless benificial plant. the government says it doesnt have any medicinal values, yet says it can be used for medical purposes and offers mmj. they need to quit playing games and end this stupid drug war on mj, their jobs should be catching harmfull people, not harmless citizens. but that would mean that LEO would actualy have to work hard to look good, you know, catching real criminals, like the ones who steal our plants, or rapists and murders. the only reason they wont legalize it is because at that point "man" would not need to be "government dependant" PERIOD. at that point "man" could literaly produce everything on their own, medicine, food, etc etc and they would have to tax you for the air you breathe if you know what i mean. its just funny how they know everything benificial about the plant and somehow make up a way to make it look bad, yet still offer mmj to be legal...government seems a lil bit hypricritical/delusional if you ask me. they dont want everyone to find out that cannabinoids fight cancer cells after causing such an uproar, that would change everything entirely.

its a crazy world these days i tell ya.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by G13budsmoker

just my two cents...

THIS IS FUCKING STUPID, LEGALIZE THE DAMN SHIT ALREADY. there shouldnt be any crime for smoking a damn harmless plant, their is other things on earth that if eaten can kill you, but we cant smoke a harmless benificial plant. the government says it doesnt have any medicinal values, yet says it can be used for medical purposes and offers mmj. they need to quit playing games and end this stupid drug war on mj, their jobs should be catching harmfull people, not harmless citizens. but that would mean that LEO would actualy have to work hard to look good, you know, catching real criminals, like the ones who steal our plants, or rapists and murders. the only reason they wont legalize it is because at that point "man" would not need to be "government dependant" PERIOD. at that point "man" could literaly produce everything on their own, medicine, food, etc etc and they would have to tax you for the air you breathe if you know what i mean. its just funny how they know everything benificial about the plant and somehow make up a way to make it look bad, yet still offer mmj to be legal...government seems a lil bit hypricritical/delusional if you ask me. they dont want everyone to find out that cannabinoids fight cancer cells after causing such an uproar, that would change everything entirely.

its a crazy world these days i tell ya.

---

AMEN BROTHER!!!!! you know, id hate to put the blame on 1 person, but it can all be traced back to one a**hole, Henry J. Anslinger.. here is some propaganda the cannabis hate monger would spew: An entire family was murdered by a youthful addict in Florida. When officers arrived at the home, they found the youth staggering about in a human slaughterhouse. With an axe he had killed his father, mother, two brothers, and a sister. He seemed to be in a dazeâ?¦ He had no recollection of having committed the multiple crime. The officers knew him ordinarily as a sane, rather quiet young man; now he was pitifully crazed. They sought the reason. The boy said that he had been in the habit of smoking something which youthful friends called â??muggles,â?� a childish name for marijuana.


It makes me sick to think that someone would say horrible things about a plant without understanding anything about it.. But what it really comes down to??? PREJUDICE!!!! Americans back than didn't like Mexicans, and they said the Mexicans are the ones who brought the pot over.. All of our problems in this country really boil down to 2 things, prejudice and greed.. Alot of us are greedy racist jerks, and i don't see that changing anytime soon... Maybe if everyone smoked a bowl of some good old high quality cannabis we could all get along... anyways, sorry for going on and on, but im high!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamessr

Going to trial would not be prudent for a patient attempting to bring any defenses since the authorization is void on it's face...not conducive at all.


Motioning for a new trial is not in the way the courts work in cases like this one...you of all people should know this justpics.

---

new trial? I thought the case was dismissed prior to any sort of trial, and that dismissal (bindover ruling?) was overturned by the circuit court.


It looked like to me that the appellate court was saying that the decision of whether or not these defendants could raise an affirmative defense should have been determined in a trial and not in this motion.


In that context it sounds to me like the real meat and potatoes of this case are yet to come.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamessr

KW,

You must have missed this part here:
At the time of the preliminary examination Dr. Eisenbud had worked for the past 19 months for The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF) Medical Clinic. He testified that he is "not from Michigan" and was currently working in six out of the seven states in which he is licensed to practice medicine, although he later suggested that he was working in all seven states.

This is a THCF case, not some other case involving some other clinic or doctors...

This is not the only case which shows the patient-doctor relationship was the view point of the appeal...this is not a political case..it is explicitly a public policy case of the learned professions doctrine...pay attention here please.

THIS CASE EXPLICITLY SHOWS THCF IS GIVING PATIENTS FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTAION!!! THIS WILL SNOWBALL INTO WA...REAL SOON LIKE...

Remember my case in wa. touches all these same legal issues and more!! I don't see any patient with thcf documentation getting any love from our strict wa. courts...do you?? If so please explain how this would work.

---

So you're saying Eisenbud wasn't licensed to practice medicine in Michigan?
That appears to be the only argument the prosecution could bring before the court. The 2 didn't have there registration cards evidently when they started growing but it appears they met the intent of the law medically.

I am sorry sir, but your accusations are completely false regarding The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation. The medical evaluations our doctors conduct and authorizations our doctors sign are 100% completely valid and are in full compliance of every states medical marijuana law they operate in. If you read close enough to the judge's comments you would have noticed that he acknowledged the legitimacy of Dr. Eisenbuds authority to issure a medical marijuana recommendation and comended Dr. Eisenbuds evaluation stating:

"The district court also noted that although Dr. Eisenbud testified regarding defendants' legitimate need to use marijuana for medical purposes, there was no testimony regarding what was a reasonably necessary amount for defendants to possess. The district court concluded that it would simply apply the amount of two and one-half ounces and 12 plants set by § 4 as what was reasonably necessary, [*11] and it granted defendants' motion to dismiss, explaining:

"For that reason, I believe that section 8 entitles the defendants to a dismissal, even though they did not possess the valid medical card, because section 8 says if they can show the fact that a doctor believed that they were likely to receive a therapeutic benefit, and this doctor testified to that [sic]. And Dr. Eisenbud is a physician licensed by the State of Michigan. And that's the only requirement that the statute has. You don't have to be any type of physician, you just have to be a licensed physician by the State of Michigan.

So, based on that, I find section 8 does apply. And I believe I'm obligated to dismiss this matter based on section 8 of the statute.

Regarding the prosecution's request for a clarification about whether "the doctor's testimony rose to the level of a bona fide physician-patient relationship," the district court stated:

Based on his testimony, he indicated that he -- he read their medical records, he saw them, and I think his total time was about half an hour totally spent with them, which, based on my own personal experience, I don't find inconsistent with my own doctor. So I guess it's a bona fide [*12] relationship."

The judge clearly confirms that Dr. Eisenbud was licensed in Michigan at the time of their appointment and was within the scope of his authority to recommend medical marijuana for these patietns, while establishing that his medical evaluation did meet the criteria of a "bona fide physician-patient realtionship."

As Killerweed mentioned before, the prosecuting argument was weather or not the patients were legal or not because they did not physically posses the state issued license, which is a problem in every state that has a medical marijuana registry AND an affirmative defense argument set up in their MMJ law. Remember, this is not the ruling majority opinion, and the case is still in litigation.

Similar issues are happening here in Colorado where it is taking the state registry 7-8 months to issue licenses, eventhough in the law it states that the patient has to be notified within 35 days otherwise they are to be considered legal.

THCF's protocal has been investigated and approved by state regulatory authorities in 9 states. We follow a protocol developed by the Oregon Health Department and it has been investigated and found valid and meeting current acceptable standards of medical practice in in Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and Montana.

Furthermore, THCF stands behind and defends its patients no matter what the problem or charge may be. We are the only organization to defend patients in a DEA investigation from a grand jury subpoena. The federal court judge wrote at the end of his decision, " ... (THCF) Clinic's records represent the implementation of the State's program and are integral to the success of the program."

The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation has been helping patients obtain a medical marijuana permit nationwide since 1999, helping over 100,000 patients. Now don't you think that an organization that has been around that long and has helped so many people obtain a medical marijuana permit would be under close federal scrutiny, and if there had been any questions or investigations regarding the legitimacy of their practices, THCF would have been shut down long ago? Fact of the matter is that our organization is always up to standard and in complience with current medical marijuana laws for each and every state we operate in.

100K patients @ average $180 a pop is $18 million over 11 years. You better bet your last dollar you better back up every patient you ever signed for regardless of whether a yearly fee was paid to THCF or not, if the signed authorization was for a chronic condition if there is nothing in an individual state's law that requires a yearly renewal. We all know some people have doctor's that won't for their chronic patients, so the patients need to use organizations like THCF among others. It should be patients and patients rights and protection before profits. :twocents:

I agree with wreckinger's take on this. Everything the defendants did met the intent of the law and the presiding judge made the right decision. But this is the problem with the system, if the prosecutor doesn't like the judges decision he just shops around and finds a new judge more amenable to his viewpoint. The prosecutor also has the legal ability to have a judge removed from a case with absolutely no evidence that the judge was being biased in any way.
Its a corrupt system but its the only one we have. Get on these juries and help the people being persecuted.

Yeah gypski, I don't like the money issue any more than you do but thats capitalism for you. Its the price we pay for living in a semi free society.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wreckinger

I am sorry sir, but your accusations are completely false regarding The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation. The medical evaluations our doctors conduct and authorizations our doctors sign are 100% completely valid and are in full compliance of every states medical marijuana law they operate in. If you read close enough to the judge's comments you would have noticed that he acknowledged the legitimacy of Dr. Eisenbuds authority to issure a medical marijuana recommendation and comended Dr. Eisenbuds evaluation stating:

"The district court also noted that although Dr. Eisenbud testified regarding defendants' legitimate need to use marijuana for medical purposes, there was no testimony regarding what was a reasonably necessary amount for defendants to possess. The district court concluded that it would simply apply the amount of two and one-half ounces and 12 plants set by § 4 as what was reasonably necessary, [*11] and it granted defendants' motion to dismiss, explaining:

"For that reason, I believe that section 8 entitles the defendants to a dismissal, even though they did not possess the valid medical card, because section 8 says if they can show the fact that a doctor believed that they were likely to receive a therapeutic benefit, and this doctor testified to that [sic]. And Dr. Eisenbud is a physician licensed by the State of Michigan. And that's the only requirement that the statute has. You don't have to be any type of physician, you just have to be a licensed physician by the State of Michigan.

So, based on that, I find section 8 does apply. And I believe I'm obligated to dismiss this matter based on section 8 of the statute.

Regarding the prosecution's request for a clarification about whether "the doctor's testimony rose to the level of a bona fide physician-patient relationship," the district court stated:

Based on his testimony, he indicated that he -- he read their medical records, he saw them, and I think his total time was about half an hour totally spent with them, which, based on my own personal experience, I don't find inconsistent with my own doctor. So I guess it's a bona fide [*12] relationship."

The judge clearly confirms that Dr. Eisenbud was licensed in Michigan at the time of their appointment and was within the scope of his authority to recommend medical marijuana for these patietns, while establishing that his medical evaluation did meet the criteria of a "bona fide physician-patient realtionship."

As Killerweed mentioned before, the prosecuting argument was weather or not the patients were legal or not because they did not physically posses the state issued license, which is a problem in every state that has a medical marijuana registry AND an affirmative defense argument set up in their MMJ law. Remember, this is not the ruling majority opinion, and the case is still in litigation.

Similar issues are happening here in Colorado where it is taking the state registry 7-8 months to issue licenses, eventhough in the law it states that the patient has to be notified within 35 days otherwise they are to be considered legal.

THCF's protocal has been investigated and approved by state regulatory authorities in 9 states. We follow a protocol developed by the Oregon Health Department and it has been investigated and found valid and meeting current acceptable standards of medical practice in in Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and Montana.

Furthermore, THCF stands behind and defends its patients no matter what the problem or charge may be. We are the only organization to defend patients in a DEA investigation from a grand jury subpoena. The federal court judge wrote at the end of his decision, " ... (THCF) Clinic's records represent the implementation of the State's program and are integral to the success of the program."

The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation has been helping patients obtain a medical marijuana permit nationwide since 1999, helping over 100,000 patients. Now don't you think that an organization that has been around that long and has helped so many people obtain a medical marijuana permit would be under close federal scrutiny, and if there had been any questions or investigations regarding the legitimacy of their practices, THCF would have been shut down long ago? Fact of the matter is that our organization is always up to standard and in complience with current medical marijuana laws for each and every state we operate in.

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If this is scott the manager of the Colorado thcf, you know what I say is true...if you are not then, you have no clue as to what your talking about....your a newbe..

The reason this got appealed is because THCF doctors are not diagnosing patients nor can they, have you read your own website for god sakes?? how about the THCF business plan? how about the articles of incorp.??

There is more to come, not only from this state but, all of them about THCF exploiting patients...slowly but surely...and no court case has been on direct point about THCF, YET!!...newbe!!


i have yet to post the concurring judges opinion, this opinion explains it in broken down details much better.

The THCF doctors met all the requirements to authorize MMJ to patients. You don't have to see a patient for an hour every week to have a relationship with the doctor. As I have said I only see my doctor once a year to get my prescriptions for my scheduled drugs. Thats all I'm willing to do. I don't have medical insurance, I pay everything in cash so I have her write me a years worth of prescriptions. Once a year I go in for a blood workup to see how my liver and kidney function is doing, she sees me for about 10 minutes and signs my prescription.
So the appellate judge is just being unreasonable about what constitutes a doctor patient relationship.

I didn't see the appellate judge make any decision or judgement about the doctor patient relationship, except to say that it should be examined in trial.

CONCUR

O'CONNELL, P.J. (concurring).

I concur with the majority's decision to affirm the circuit court's decision to reinstate the charges against defendants, but write separately because I interpret the statutory defenses at issue more narrowly than does the majority, and also to elaborate on issues raised in the briefs and at oral arguments but not as fully addressed by the majority opinion.

On November 4, 2008, the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), MCL 333.26421 et seq., was passed by referendum and went into effect soon thereafter. It is without question that this act has no effect on federal prohibitions of the possession or consumption of marijuana. 1 The Controlled Substances Act, 21 USC 801 et seq., classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 [*36] substance, 21 USC 812(c), meaning that Congress recognizes no acceptable medical uses for it, and its possession is generally prohibited. See Gonzales v Raich, 545 U.S. 1, 27; 125 S Ct 2195; 162 L Ed 2d 1 (2005); United States v Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Co-op, 532 U.S. 483, 490; 121 S Ct 1711; 149 L Ed 2d 722 (2001). As a federal court in Michigan recently recognized, "It is indisputable that state medical-marijuana laws do not, and cannot, supercede federal laws that criminalize the possession of marijuana." United States v Hicks, F Supp 2d , 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68920 (No. 07-20176, ED Mich, 2010); 2010 WL 2724286 at *3, citing Gonzales, 545 U.S. at 29 ("The Supremacy Clause unambiguously provides that if there is any conflict between federal and state law, federal law shall prevail."); United States v $ 186,416.00 in US Currency, 590 F3d 942, 945 (CA 9, 2010) ("The federal government has not recognized a legitimate medical use for marijuana, however, and there is no exception for medical marijuana distribution or possession under the federal Controlled Substances Act"); United States v Scarmazzo, 554 F Supp 2d 1102, 1109 (ED Cal, 2008) ("Federal law prohibiting the sale of marijuana is valid, despite [*37] any state law suggesting medical necessity for marijuana"); United States v Landa, 281 F Supp 2d 1139, 1145 (ND Cal, 2003) ("our Congress has flatly outlawed marijuana in this country, nationwide, including for medicinal purposes."). Accordingly, the MMMA has no effect on federal law, and the possession of marijuana remains illegal under federal law, even if it is possessed for medicinal purposes in accordance with state law. Hicks, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68920, 2010 WL 2724286 at *4, citing Gonzales, 545 U.S. at 27 ("The CSA designates marijuana as contraband for any purpose").

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1 "Marijuana" and "marihuana" are both acceptable spellings for the name of this drug. The spelling "marihuana" is used in the Public Health Code, MCL 333.1101 et seq., but "marijuana" is the more commonly used spelling and so will be used throughout this opinion.

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Further, the MMMA does not create any sort of affirmative right under state law to use or possess marijuana. That drug remains a Schedule 1 substance under the Public Health Code, MCL 333.7212(1)(c), meaning that "the substance has a high potential for abuse and has no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or lacks accepted safety for use in treatment under medical [*38] supervision," MCL 333.7211. The MMMA does not repeal any drug laws contained in the Public Health Code, and all persons under this state's jurisdiction remain subject to them. Accordingly, mere possession of marijuana remains a misdemeanor offense, MCL 333.7403(2)(d), and the manufacture of marijuana remains a felony, MCL 333.7401(2)(d).

Perhaps surprisingly, the purpose of the MMMA is a bit less revolutionary than one might suspect. MCL 333.26422(b) states as follows:

Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports and the Compendium of Federal Justice Statistics show that approximately 99 out of every 100 marihuana arrests in the United States are made under state law, rather than under federal law. Consequently, changing state law will have the practical effect of protecting from arrest the vast majority of seriously ill people who have a medical need to use marihuana.

The MMMA does not codify a right to use marijuana; instead, it merely provides a procedure through which seriously ill individuals using marijuana for its palliative effects can be identified and protected from prosecution under state law. Although these individuals are still violating the Public [*39] Health Code by using marijuana, the MMMA sets forth particular circumstances under which they will not be arrested or otherwise prosecuted for their lawbreaking. In so doing, the MMMA reflects the practical determination of the people of Michigan that, while marijuana is classified as a harmful substance and its use and manufacture should generally be prohibited, law enforcement resources should not be used to arrest and prosecute those with serious medical conditions who use marijuana for its palliative effects. 2
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2 Again, all individuals who possess, use, or manufacture marijuana in this state, including qualifying patients who have been issued a valid registry identification card and their primary caregivers, are violating the federal Controlled Substances Act and are still subject to arrest and punishment for doing so.

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Accordingly, the MMMA functions as an affirmative defense to prosecutions under the Public Health Code, allowing an individual to use marijuana by freeing him or her from the threat of arrest and prosecution if that user meets all the requirements of the MMMA, while permitting prosecution under the Public Health Code if the individual fails to meet any of the requirements [*40] set forth by the MMMA. 3 See MCL 333.26422(b); MCL 333.26427(5)(2)(e).

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3 Of course, because the MMMA protects against enforcement of the Public Health Code under only limited circumstances, an individual who is using marijuana must satisfy all the requirements of the MMMA or else remain subject to arrest and prosecution for violating the Public Health Code.

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The problem, however, is that the MMMA is inartfully drafted and, unfortunately, has created much confusion regarding the circumstances under which an individual may use marijuana without fear of prosecution. Some sections of the MMMA are in conflict with others, and many provisions in the MMMA are in conflict with other statutes, especially the Public Health Code. Further, individuals who do not have a serious medical condition are attempting to use the MMMA to flout the clear prohibitions of the Public Health Code and engage in recreational use of marijuana. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and trial court judges attempting to enforce both the MMMA and the Public Health Code are hampered by confusing and seemingly contradictory language, while healthy recreational marijuana users incorrectly view the MMMA as a de facto legalization [*41] of the drug, seemingly unconcerned that marijuana use remains illegal under both state and federal law.

In this opinion, I will attempt to cut through the haze surrounding this legislation. In so doing, I note that neither my opinion, nor the majority's opinion, constitute attempts to make the law. We are simply interpreting an act passed by the people of this state. It is up to the Legislature to revise this act as it sees fit. 4

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4 I have no doubt that in the minds of some voters in this state, legalizing marijuana would be good public policy. Others who approved this act were under the impression that the act's specific purpose was limited to permitting the use of medical marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions. Still others voted against this change in the law. Whether the decriminalization of medical marijuana is a good or bad idea for this state is a question of public policy for our state legislators, the executive branch, and the citizenry to ponder. It is not for the courts to set public policy. This Court's responsibility is simply to interpret this act. Citizens of this state wishing for revision of the MMMA should take such appropriate action [*42] as attending the public hearings on pertinent pending legislation or communicating with their elected representatives.

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I. GUIDANCE IS NEEDED

In light of the majority opinion's resolution of the issues in this case, one might ask why this concurrence is of any importance. The answer is simple: delay and neglect in addressing the proper scope and application of the MMMA invites and perpetuates error. Judges bear the onerous responsibility of applying, interpreting, and shaping the law, and we neglect this responsibility when we fail to explain, with well-reasoned analysis, our agreement or disagreement with pertinent points of law. Failure to engage in the debate hinders our hunt for a statute's intended purpose and generally stifles the formation of sound legal principles. If we all gently withdrew our voices from the arena of competing ideas, then mistakes would go unchallenged, and the process of correction could suffer nearly insurmountable setbacks.

This case proves the rule. At oral arguments and in their briefs, both parties raised numerous questions regarding the proper interpretation of the provisions of the MMMA. It was made clear that many provisions of this act are subject to [*43] multiple interpretations, and that obfuscating words and phrases in the MMMA have caused much confusion on the part of both law enforcement officials and defense attorneys wishing to advise their clients of their rights and protections under the law. Defense counsel was particularly concerned that the law was not specific enough for him to advise his clients on both the strictures of the MMMA and the ramifications of certain provisions. The prosecuting attorney noted that he was unable to advise municipalities, townships, police, and others regarding whether particular conduct was permitted or prohibited under the act. More generally, in the absence of clear direction from the appellate courts, many citizens believe that the MMMA supports and legitimizes the marijuana business.

As defense counsel emphasized at oral arguments, this Court could take a case-by-case approach to resolving all the issues found in the MMMA, addressing particular provisions piecemeal and in isolation over years and leaving defendants, prosecutors, law enforcement, entrepreneurs, cities, municipalities, townships, and others in a state of confusion for a very, very long time. 5 Or, in one well-thought-out opinion, [*44] it could interpret the essential provisions of this act, providing a framework for future application of the new statute and giving fair notice to all regarding the scope of acceptable conduct under the MMMA. Counsel for both parties advised this Court against interpreting the MMMA in a piecemeal fashion because of the confusion that would persist. I agree, and this opinion is my attempt to establish the framework for the law and address those issues not resolved by the majority opinion.

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5 Under this piecemeal approach, each case would address a separate, specific issue involving the MMMA. The lower courts of all 83 Michigan counties would then opine on each issue (in some cases arriving at different results). The cases would be appealed to this Court, which would in response issue published opinions binding all trial courts in the state. While this may be an efficient and orderly process for some areas of the law, I suspect that the confusion regarding the circumstances under which an individual using or possessing marijuana is protected from arrest or conviction could result in some citizens losing both their liberty and their property. I am reminded of a statement often attributed [*45] to the eighteenth-century British statesman Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." In this case, the "evil" at issue is the loss of liberty or property suffered by individuals, who honestly believe they are in compliance with the MMMA, at the hands of prosecutors and law enforcement officials who honestly believe that they are properly enforcing the clear provisions of the Public Health Code.

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I also agree with counsel that it is the responsibility of this Court to interpret this law in a way that gives fair notice to all concerned regarding what conduct is allowed and what conduct is prohibited under this law. Without some guidance from the appellate courts, the lower courts will continue to stumble about. The system of justice will become hopelessly unpredictable and intolerably frustrating for the people it was established to serve. Right or wrong, we all have the duty to interpret the law to the best of our ability. Any delay in this process frustrates those citizens who are making a good faith effort to adhere to the law.
II. ONE STATUTE, COMPETING GOALS

Proposition 1 of the 2008 ballot, which presented the MMMA to the people of [*46] this state for a vote, described the proposed MMMA as purporting to do the following:

Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.

Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.

Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.

Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.

Yet, in its summary of the intended effect of the MMMA, this ballot proposal obfuscated the more confusing and contradictory aspects of the actual legislation. The statutory language creates a maze for the reader, making the statute susceptible to multiple interpretations.

The MMMA is based on model legislation provided by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group organized to decriminalize [*47] both the medical and recreational uses of marijuana. The statutory language of the MMMA was drafted by Karen O'Keefe, the Director of State Policies at the MPP in Washington, D.C. 6 Interestingly, the confusion caused by reading the statute piecemeal and out of context has seemed to work to the advantage of those who share the MPP's wish for outright legalization of marijuana. Taking advantage of the MMMA's confusion, proponents of liberalized marijuana regulations claim that the MMMA legalizes shops that sell marijuana, collective growing facilities, and the cultivation and sale of marijuana as a commercial crop. Further, those individuals who primarily wish to use marijuana recreationally are taking advantage of "pot docs" who will give them written certifications for medical marijuana without bothering to establish either a bona fide physician-patient relationship or the existence of a terminal or debilitating medical condition.

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6 On its website, the MPP advertises its involvement in the ballot initiative, noting, "Michigan passed MPP's ballot initiative to permit terminally and seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana with their doctors' approval . . . ." Our History [*48] (accessed September 10, 2010).

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In looking at the specific provisions of the MMMA, it is important to remember that this act is based on a premise, namely, that marijuana can be used for medical purposes that is in obvious contradiction to the Public Health Code. By classifying marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance under the Public Health Code, the people of this state, through their elected representatives, have determined that marijuana "has high potential for abuse and has no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or lacks accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision." MCL 333.7211. This clearly contradicts the rationale for the MMMA, which indicates that provisions should be made to permit seriously ill individuals to use medical marijuana without fear of arrest because "[m]odern medical research . . . has discovered beneficial uses for marihuana in treating or alleviating the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with a variety of debilitating medical conditions." MCL 333.26422(a).

The obvious solution to this problem would be simply to amend the Public Health Code to make marijuana a Schedule 2 or Schedule 3 substance. 7 With such an amendment, [*49] state law would not prohibit a licensed prescriber from prescribing marijuana if, in the prescriber's professional opinion, this drug would effectively treat the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with certain debilitating medical conditions. MCL 333.7303a. Curiously, however, the MMMA has no provisions to repeal the contradictory portions of the Public Health Code, or to ensure the controlled, monitored distribution of marijuana to seriously ill individuals in accord with the well-tested provisions of the Public Health Code. 8 Instead, it creates a new system, untested in this state, in which a physician merely "certifies" that an individual would likely "benefit" from using marijuana to alleviate pain, nausea, or other symptoms, while leaving it to the patient to register under the act and to self-regulate the quality and quantity of marijuana the patient uses.

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7 A substance may be included in Schedule 2 if the substance has a high potential for abuse and such abuse may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence, but the substance also has "currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions." MCL 333.7213. [*50] A substance may be included in Schedule 3 if the substance has a potential for abuse less than a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 substance and abuse of the substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence, but the substance also has "currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States." MCL 333.7215.8 Critics might argue that reclassifying marijuana under the Public Health Code would be ineffective because it would require doctors to ignore federal provisions banning them from prescribing marijuana. Yet it is important to remember that the entirety of the MMMA stands in conflict with federal law. Accordingly, such criticism would less likely stem from a desire to adhere to federal law than from a desire to steer the risk associated with breaking federal law away from those perceived as less willing to take that risk. The catch-22 here is that doctors would not, and should not, put their medical license at risk.

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Accordingly, the confusing nature of the MMMA, and its susceptibility to multiple interpretations, creates an untoward risk for Michiganders. 9 Reading the statute carelessly or out of context could result in jail or prison time [*51] for many of our citizens. Until our Supreme Court and the Legislature clarify and define the scope of the MMMA, it is important to proceed cautiously when seeking to take advantage of the protections in it. Those citizens who proceed without due caution will become test cases and may lose both their property and their liberty. 10

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9 At the preliminary examination in this matter, the learned Judge Robert Turner, a veteran of many years on the bench, stated that the MMMA, "is one of the worst pieces of legislation I have ever seen in my life." In interpreting this act, Judge Turner assumed that the sole purpose of it was to set forth the rules and regulations for the use of medical marijuana in Michigan, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the act is being used as a subterfuge to legalize marijuana in Michigan. It is well crafted in its obfuscations, ambiguous language, and confusingly overlapping sections.10 Until our Supreme Court provides a final comprehensive interpretation of this act, it would be prudent for the citizens of this state to avoid all use of marijuana if they do not wish to risk violating state law. I again issue a stern warning to all: please do not attempt to [*52] interpret this act on your own. Reading this act is similar to participating in the Triwizard Tournament described in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: the maze that is this statute is so complex that the final result will only be known once the Supreme Court has had an opportunity to review and remove the haze from this act.

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THIS IS A LONG SECTION..TIS IN MULTIPLE POSTS.

III. THROUGH THE MAZE

The MMMA consists of ten sections detailing the protections, procedures, and defenses surrounding the use of medical marijuana in this state. However, much of the confusion caused by the MMMA arises from difficulty understanding the interplay between sections 4, 7, and 8. Section 4 addresses the protections afforded to qualifying patients, caregivers, and others under the act:

(a) A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifying patient possesses an amount of marihuana that [*53] does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marihuana, and, if the qualifying patient has not specified that a primary caregiver will be allowed under state law to cultivate marihuana for the qualifying patient, 12 marihuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility. Any incidental amount of seeds, stalks, and unusable roots shall also be allowed under state law and shall not be included in this amount.

(b) A primary caregiver who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for assisting a qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the department's registration process with the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, provided that the primary caregiver possesses an amount of marihuana that does not exceed:

(1) 2.5 ounces of usable marihuana for each qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the department's registration process; and

(2) for each registered qualifying patient who has specified [*54] that the primary caregiver will be allowed under state law to cultivate marihuana for the qualifying patient, 12 marihuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility; and

(3) any incidental amount of seeds, stalks, and unusable roots.

(c) 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.

(d) There shall be a presumption that a qualifying patient or primary caregiver is engaged in the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act if the qualifying patient or primary caregiver:

(1) is in possession of a registry identification card; and

(2) is in possession of an amount of marihuana that does not exceed the amount allowed under this act. The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that conduct related to marihuana was not for the purpose of alleviating the qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition, in accordance with this act.

(e) A registered primary caregiver may receive compensation for costs associated with assisting [*55] a registered qualifying patient in the medical use of marihuana. Any such compensation shall not constitute the sale of controlled substances.

(f) A physician shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by the Michigan board of medicine, the Michigan board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, or any other business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, solely for providing written certifications, in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship and after the physician has completed a full assessment of the qualifying patient's medical history, or for otherwise stating that, in the physician's professional opinion, a patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the serious or debilitating medical condition, provided that nothing shall prevent a professional licensing board from sanctioning a physician for failing to properly evaluate a patient's medical condition or otherwise [*56] violating the standard of care for evaluating medical conditions.

(g) A person shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for providing a registered qualifying patient or a registered primary caregiver with marihuana paraphernalia for purposes of a qualifying patient's medical use of marihuana.

(h) Any marihuana, marihuana paraphernalia, or licit property that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of marihuana, as allowed under this act, or acts incidental to such use, shall not be seized or forfeited.

(i) A person shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, solely for being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, or for assisting a registered qualifying patient with using or administering marihuana.

(j) A registry identification [*57] card, or its equivalent, that is issued under the laws of another state, district, territory, commonwealth, or insular possession of the United States that allows the medical use of marihuana by a visiting qualifying patient, or to allow a person to assist with a visiting qualifying patient's medical use of marihuana, shall have the same force and effect as a registry identification card issued by the department.

(k) Any registered qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver who sells marihuana to someone who is not allowed to use marihuana for medical purposes under this act shall have his or her registry identification card revoked and is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $ 2,000.00, or both, in addition to any other penalties for the distribution of marihuana. [MCL 333.26424.]

The unusual structure of this section reflects the intent of the MMMA as set forth in MCL 333.26422(b). Instead of describing an affirmative right to grow, possess, or use marijuana, § 4 simply indicates that registered qualifying patients, primary caregivers, and physicians are protected from arrest, prosecution, or penalty if they meet [*58] the specific requirements set forth. 11

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11 Most legislation either grants rights and privileges to citizens by stating that a person may do a certain activity, or it makes certain activity illegal. In either circumstance, the statute affirmatively indicates what an individual may or may not do. The MMMA does the opposite; instead of granting a right or implementing a prohibition, the statute leaves the underlying prohibition of the manufacture, possession, or use of marijuana intact and states that individuals meeting certain criteria "shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty . . ." for using, possessing, or growing marijuana under specified circumstances. As a result, this state finds itself in the unusual position of having a statute that precludes enforcement, in certain circumstances, of another statute that makes certain activity illegal. Needless to say, this decision to use one statute to undercut the enforceability of another statute, instead of simply redefining the circumstances under which marijuana use and possession are legal in this state, greatly adds to the confusion that surrounds this act.

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A closer look at the pertinent subsections of § 4 further shows [*59] this to be the case. Section 4(a) specifies that a qualifying patient with a registry identification card is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty "for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with this act." MCL 333.26423 defines a "qualifying patient" as "a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition." Accordingly, even if a qualifying patient has a registry identification card, that patient is entitled to protection under the MMMA only if he or she has also been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition. In order to "diagnose" a patient, a physician must "determine the identity of (a disease, illness, etc.) by a medical examination." Random House Webster's College Dictionary (2001). Accordingly, despite whether an individual has a registry identification card, that individual is not a "qualifying patient" under the MMMA and, therefore, is not entitled to the act's protections unless a physician has determined that the patient suffers from an identifiable debilitating condition. 12

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12 Accordingly, an individual is not entitled to protection under the MMMA if a physician has acknowledged only that the individual suffers from [*60] symptoms of a disease or illness (such as pain, nausea, or anxiety), but has not actually diagnosed that person with a debilitating disease or illness. Also, the term "medical use" is only employed in specific sections of this act, while the term "use" is employed in other sections, thereby suggesting two separate meanings for the term "use" within the act.

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Under § 4(a), a qualifying patient may engage in the "medical use" of marijuana without fear of arrest. Interestingly, the term "medical use," as defined by the MMMA, is much broader than one would anticipate. MCL 333.26423(e) defines the term "medical use" as "the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marihuana to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition." The definition of "medical use" is unexpectedly broad: although a qualifying patient may not sell marijuana, just about anything else an individual can do with marijuana would be considered medical use under the MMMA. 13

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13 An example [*61] of this conflict is § 4(a) and § 7(b)(5) of the act. Section 4(a) allows 18-year-old high school students to grow and use marijuana if they are properly registered with the state. Section 4(a) also states that as long as he or she is a qualifying patient who has a registry card, he or she "shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner whatsoever." Reading § 4(a) in isolation allows 18-year-old students to possess marijuana in our schools without being subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner whatsoever. Conflicting with § 4(a) is § 7(b)(2)(B), which provides that one may not possess medical marijuana on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school.

Sections 4(b) and 7(b)(5) are also in conflict. Section 7(b)(5) states that a person may not use marijuana if that person does not have a serious or debilitating medical condition. Section 4(b) allows primary caregivers to assist qualifying patients. Nothing in § 4(a) or (b) allows primary caregivers to use marijuana, unless they qualify under § 4(a). The conflict arises because the act allows primary caregivers to grow marijuana, but it prohibits those who are not "qualifying patients" [*62] to use marijuana. I note that caregivers receive registration cards under the statute but are not required to have a "written certification" stating they have a debilitating condition. The only logical conclusion is that "primary caregivers" who do not possess a "qualifying patient" registry card are not permitted to use marijuana under the MMMA.

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Section 4(a) also provides that a qualifying patient is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty for the medical use of marijuana if that patient has no more than 12 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked facility. Alternatively, the qualifying patient may designate a primary caregiver to grow up to 12 plants in an enclosed, locked facility. However, because the statute provides that a qualified patient may be in possession of the specified number of marijuana plants only if the patient has not designated a primary caregiver to grow marijuana for him or her, if the qualified patient has made such a designation, the statute provides him or her with no protection from arrest if found in the possession of any marijuana plants.

Section 4(b) specifies the circumstances in which a registered primary caregiver is protected from arrest. MCL 333.26423 [*63] defines a "primary caregiver" as "a person who is at least 21 years old and who has agreed to assist with a patient's medical use of marihuana and who has never been convicted of a felony involving illegal drugs." Section 4(b) specifies that a registered primary caregiver may assist only a qualifying patient 14 to whom he or she is connected through the department's registration process with the medical use of marijuana. Accordingly, a primary caregiver may not assist any qualifying patient in the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marijuana unless that caregiver is connected to that qualifying patient through registration with the Department of Community Health (DCH). Section 6(d) specifies that "each qualifying patient can have no more than 1 primary caregiver, and a primary caregiver may assist no more than 5 qualifying patients with their medical use of marijuana." MCL 333.26426(d). Accordingly, no primary caregiver who wishes to benefit from the protections offered by the MMMA may assist more than five qualifying patients in acquiring, possessing, cultivating, manufacturing, using, internally possessing, [*64] delivering, transferring, or transporting marijuana, presuming that the five qualifying patients in question are connected to that caregiver through the department's registration process. 15 Any assistance that any primary caregiver provides on behalf of any qualifying patient to whom that caregiver is not connected by the registration process is not subject to the protections of the MMMA.

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14 The act uses both the terms "qualifying patient" and "patient." While qualifying patients enjoy greater protections under § 4 than patients do under § 8, both qualifying patients and patients must follow all of the provisions of the act, including the requirement that all patients growing marijuana do so in an "enclosed locked facility." Growing marijuana in the back yard thus subjects the grower and the homeowner to the penalties found in the Public Health Code. This requirement is consistent with the language of the ballot proposal. The issue whether each patient's 12 marijuana plants must be grown in a separate locked facility is best left for another day. Those caregivers who commingle various patients' plants in one facility may look forward to becoming test cases. Primary caregivers may have [*65] only five patients and, if the qualifying patient designates him- or herself as his or her own caregiver, then that caregiver is allowed only four additional patients.15 Many Michiganders are faced with the often unwelcome intrusion of medical marijuana dispensaries in their communities, and local governments are faced with the difficult task of determining whether they are obliged to allow such dispensaries to operate in their communities. Yet, interestingly, under a proper reading of § 4(b), the operation of a dispensary would make little economic sense, because in order to abide by the provisions of the MMMA, the dispensary would have to be operated entirely by one individual, and could have, at most, five customers. This is because, first, the MMMA has no provision for the sale of marijuana, and second, a primary caregiver is permitted to receive compensation for only the costs associated with assisting a qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through registration with the DCH.

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Similarly, a primary caregiver may not possess more than "12 marijuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility" for each qualifying patient to whom the caregiver is connected through the registration [*66] process and who has that patient's permission to cultivate the allotment of marijuana plants. MCL 333.26423 defines an "enclosed, locked facility" as "a closet, room, or other enclosed area equipped with locks or other security devices that permits access only by a registered primary caregiver or registered qualifying patient." Although it is unclear from the statute whether each grouping of 12 plants must be in a separate enclosed, locked facility, 16 it is clear that under no circumstances may a primary caregiver be in possession of more than a total of 60 marijuana plants, presuming that the primary caregiver acts in that capacity for the statutory maximum of five qualifying patients, all of who have given him or her the authority to cultivate marijuana for them. Because a qualified patient who has designated a primary caregiver to cultivate marijuana for him or her may not him- or herself have possession of any marijuana plants, the primary caregiver is the only individual permitted to be in possession of the qualifying patient's marijuana plants under this circumstance. Accordingly, this means that each set of 12 plants permitted under the MMMA to address the purported medical [*67] needs of a particular qualifying patient must be kept in an enclosed, locked facility that can only be accessed by one individual, either the qualifying patient or the qualifying patient's primary caregiver; any other individual with access to the marijuana plants designated for a particular qualifying patient would be considered in possession of marijuana and subject to arrest and prosecution for violating the Public Health Code. 17

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16 Anyone growing more than 12 plants in one separate enclosed, locked facility should not complain or be surprised when or if a federal drug enforcement agent appears. Again, under federal law, cultivating marijuana is illegal. Growing large quantities of marijuana in an enclosed, locked facility is the same as waving a red flag in front of a 3,000 pound bull. Any questions in this regard are quickly answered by reading the Gus Burns article in the April 22, 2010, Saginaw News, "Federal agents and sheriff's deputies say seized marijuana in Saginaw County was illegal and not medicine." Federal agents and sheriff's deputies say seized marijuana in Saginaw County was illegal and not medicine | MLive.com (accessed September 13, 2010). Caregivers who do not want to become a test case should [*68] proceed with caution. No clear, reliable, or lasting resolution to this conflict between state and federal law seems in view.17 It is important to remember that under the laws of this state, "A person need not have actual physical possession of a controlled substance to be guilty of possessing it. Possession may be either actual or constructive." People v Wolfe, 440 Mich 508, 519-520; 489 NW2d 748, amended 441 Mich 1201; 489 NW2d 748 (1992). "Constructive possession exists when the totality of the circumstances indicates a sufficient nexus between the defendant and the controlled substance." People v Meshell, 265 Mich App 616, 622; 696 NW2d 754 (2005), citing Wolfe, 440 Mich at 521. The "essential element" is that a defendant has "dominion or right of control over the drug with knowledge of its presence and character." People v McKinney, 258 Mich App 157, 166; 670 NW2d 254 (2003) (internal citations omitted). "Because it is difficult to prove an actor's state of mind, only minimal circumstantial evidence and the reasonable inferences that arise from the evidence are required to prove that a defendant had constructive possession." People v Brown, 279 Mich App 116, 137; 755 NW2d 664 (2008). [*69] Accordingly, an individual who places himself in the proximity of marijuana is at risk of being charged with possession of the substance.

In light of these rules concerning what constitutes possession, the MMMA places the entire burden of cultivating a particular qualifying patient's marijuana plants entirely on one individual (either the qualifying patient or his or her primary caregiver). No other individual can legally even water the plants or enter the enclosed, locked facility to turn on a grow light without risking arrest and prosecution for violating the Public Health Code. This means that primary caregivers and qualifying patients cannot legally form a cooperative and grow marijuana in a shared facility without violating the MMMA and thus being subject to arrest and prosecution under the Public Health Code.

Presumably the drafters affiliated with the Marijuana Policy Project agree. Diane Byrum, a spokesperson for the project, said, "'The Michigan proposal wouldn't permit the type of cooperative growing that allows pot shops to exist in California. Those kinds of operations are what have faced federal crackdowns.'" Satyanarayana, Is Marijuana Good Medicine? Detroit Free Press, [*70] October 25, 2008, http://www.freep.com/article/2008102...-good-medicine (accessed September 10, 2010). Accordingly, before the November 2008 vote on this ballot proposal, even the drafters of the MMMA were unequivocal that the statute would not permit marijuana growing cooperatives in Michigan.

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Section 4(e) permits a registered primary caregiver to receive compensation for costs associated with assisting a registered qualifying patient in the medical use of marijuana. However, under § 4(b) a registered primary caregiver may assist only a registered qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through registration with the DCH. Accordingly, §§ 4(b) and 4(e) can only be reconciled by concluding that the primary caregiver's "compensation for the costs associated with assisting a registered qualifying patient in the medical use of marijuana" will come from only a registered qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the department's registration process. 18 Because a primary caregiver may assist only the five or fewer qualifying patients to whom the caregiver is connected through the registration process, there is no circumstance under the [*71] MMMA in which the primary caregiver can provide assistance to any other qualifying patient, and receive compensation in exchange, without being subject to arrest and prosecution under the Public Health Code. 19

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18 Stated another way, only the person the qualifying patient names as his or her primary caregiver on his/her registration form can receive compensation for associated costs, and that compensation can only be received from the "qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the department's registration process."19 A familiar example may help clarify how the provisions of the MMMA are connected to each other. Michigan has statutory qualifications for persons entering into a state of matrimony. See MCL 551.1 (restricting marriage to couples of opposite gender); MCL 551.3 (disqualifying couples who are of specified, close degrees of familial affinity). There is also a registration requirement, in the form of a marriage license. MCL 551.2. Married couples have many statutory rights and duties. See, e.g., MCL 557.204 (the equal right to property acquired during the marriage); MCL 554.45 (the right to hold property as joint tenants); MCL 557.151 (the right to joint ownership [*72] of personal property); MCL 205.93(3)(a) (the right to transfer property and free from use tax); MCL 600.2162 (the right not to testify against a spouse); MCL 552.7 (authorizing actions for separate maintenance). The registration, or licensing, requirement inheres in all statutory references to marriage, and thus there is no need to repeat it with each statutory mention. MCL 206.311(3) authorizes the filing of joint tax returns by "husband and wife," but does not reiterate that this concerns couples licensed to marry each other. To conclude that any married person, qualified and registered under the laws of this state, may file jointly with any other married person, so qualified and registered, would be nonsensical and lead to an absurd result. As the statutory registration, or licensing, requirement carries through all marriage law, the registration requirement of the MMMA should be understood to carry through all provisions of that act.

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In addition, a primary caregiver may receive compensation for only the costs associated with assisting a registered qualifying patient in the medical use of marijuana. This simply means that the primary caregiver may receive reimbursement for monetary [*73] expenses incurred in the course of assisting the qualifying patient in the medical use of marijuana. The statute does not authorize compensation for the labor in cultivating marijuana, or for otherwise assisting the qualifying patient in its use, nor does it indicate that the primary caregiver may profit financially from this role.

Section 4(f) protects a physician from arrest for providing written certifications, if the certifications are provided in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship, and if the physician has first completed a full assessment of the qualifying patient's medical history. Unfortunately, the statute does not indicate how the existence of an authentic physician-patient relationship can be discerned. However, a factfinder might wish to ask certain questions when determining whether the physician-patient relationship is authentic, including (a) whether the physician signing the written certification form is the patient's primary caregiver, (b) whether the patient has an established history of receiving medical care from that physician, (c) whether the physician has diagnosed the patient with a particular debilitating medical condition instead of simply [*74] stating that a patient's reported symptoms must be the result of some unidentified such condition, (d) whether the physician has been paid specifically to sign the written certification, and (e) whether the physician has a history of signing an unusually large number of such certifications. Needless to say, those doctors hired specifically to sign certification forms are suspect and deserve special scrutiny by prosecutors, the DCH, and the legislative oversight committees of both the House and Senate. 20

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20 The DCH should keep track of the number of certification forms each doctor signs. If it is determined that certain doctors are collecting money for routinely signing the forms, those doctors should be disqualified from participation in the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program. It is beyond question that one doctor treating 100, 500, or 1,000 terminally ill patients, with a 10-minute examination, has not been acting pursuant to bona fide physician-patient relationships. A revolving-door, rubber-stamp, assembly-line certification process does not constitute activity "in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship," especially where the doctor fails to set any medical boundaries [*75] for his or her patients and fails to monitor the patient's progress on a regular basis.

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Section 4(f) also indicates that "[a] physician shall not be subject to arrest . . . for otherwise stating that, in the physician's professional opinion, a patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the serious or debilitating medical condition." This provision does not create an alternative scenario under which a physician may issue a written certification to a patient in the absence of a bona fide physician-patient relationship with that patient or a full assessment of the patient's medical history. Instead, this provision merely provides a physician with additional protection from legal penalty, or disciplinary action from a professional licensing board, if a physician opines in general that an individual might benefit from the use of medical marijuana.

Section 4(i) provides that "a person shall not be subject to arrest . . . solely for being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, or for [*76] assisting a registered qualifying patient with using or administering marihuana." In a possible attempt at chicanery, the drafters of the act thus slipped into this subsection the term "person," instead of discussing the protections and responsibilities of a "caregiver" or "qualifying patient." Reading § 4(i) in isolation could cause one to conclude that it constitutes a nullification of all provisions in the Public Health Code that punish individuals who come in contact with medical marijuana. However, when reading § 4(i) in context, it is clear that it is not, nor is it intended to function as, a permission slip to manufacture or sell marijuana in Michigan. First, because the MMMA does not grant rights to anyone, the use of the word "person" instead of the more specific terms "qualifying patient" and "primary caregiver" does not constitute an expansion of any rights. Instead, although a "person" may not be subject to arrest under § 4(i) for "assisting a registered qualifying patient with using or administering marihuana," it is clear that this protection does not extend to assisting a registered qualifying patient in the medical use of marijuana as defined by MCL 333.26423(e). Instead, [*77] this protection from arrest only extends to providing assistance in "using or administering" marijuana, which is much more limited. Such assistance is in the nature of holding or rolling a marijuana cigarette, filling a pipe, or preparing marijuana-laced brownies for the qualifying patient suffering from a terminal illness or a debilitating condition. Section 4(i) does not protect persons generally from arrest for acquiring, possessing, cultivating, manufacturing, delivering, transferring, or transporting marijuana on behalf of the qualifying patient.

Finally, § 4(k) imposes a penalty on those registered qualifying patients or registered primary caregivers who sell marijuana to "someone who is not allowed to use marihuana for medical purposes under this act . . . ." The penalty is severe: a violator faces up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $ 2,000. However, that this subsection specifies a particular punishment for a specific type of violation does not mean that, by default, the sale of marijuana to someone who is allowed to use marihuana for medical purposes under this act is permitted. The MMMA does not give any individual permission to sell marijuana in the state of Michigan [*78] for any purpose. Instead, the MMMA merely identifies circumstances under which qualifying patients and primary caregivers are protected from arrest and prosecution for the "medical use" of marijuana. If the drafters of this statute wanted to legalize the sale of marijuana to qualifying patients from primary caregivers or other qualifying patients, they would have included the term "sale" in the definition of "medical use." MCL 333.26423(e). They did not and, therefore, the sale of marijuana is not a permitted activity under § 4. 21 Stated differently, the MMMA does not legalize the sale of marijuana to any individual, even one registered as a qualifying patient. 22

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21 As explained earlier, § 4(e) permits a primary caregiver to receive compensation for costs associated with assisting a registered qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the DCH's registration process. Again, this means that the primary caregiver may receive reimbursement for monies paid in the course of assisting the qualifying patient in the medical use of marijuana, but may not receive compensation or otherwise profit from the labor in cultivating marijuana or otherwise assisting the qualifying patient [*79] in its medical use.22 Accordingly, I can find no circumstance under which the MMMA legalizes the sale of marijuana by medical marijuana dispensaries. The statute simply does not permit such activity.

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Section 7 of the act is very specific about who can legally use medical marijuana. It provides as follows:

(a) The medical use of marihuana is allowed under state law to the extent that it is carried out in accordance with the provisions of this act.

(b) This act shall not permit any person to do any of the following:

(1) Undertake any task under the influence of marihuana, when doing so would constitute negligence or professional malpractice.

(2) Possess marihuana, or otherwise engage in the medical use of marihuana:

(A) in a school bus;

(B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school; or

(C) in any correctional facility.

(3) Smoke marihuana:

(A) on any form of public transportation; or

(B) in any public place.

(4) Operate, navigate, or be in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while under the influence of marihuana.

(5) Use marihuana if that person does not have a serious or debilitating medical condition.

(c) Nothing in this act shall be construed [*80] to require:

(1) A government medical assistance program or commercial or non-profit health insurer to reimburse a person for costs associated with the medical use of marihuana.

(2) An employer to accommodate the ingestion of marihuana in any workplace or any employee working while under the influence of marihuana.

(d) Fraudulent representation to a law enforcement official of any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of marihuana to avoid arrest or prosecution shall be punishable by a fine of $ 500.00, which shall be in addition to any other penalties that may apply for making a false statement or for the use of marihuana other than use undertaken pursuant to this act.

(e) All other acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act do not apply to the medical use of marihuana as provided for by this act. [MCL 333.26427.]

When interpreting § 7, it is important to remember that an individual acquires protection from arrest and prosecution under this act only if suffering from serious or debilitating medical condition. A person without such a condition, as defined by the act and diagnosed by a physician, is prohibited from using marijuana and remains subject to the penalties set [*81] forth in the Public Health Code. Section 7(b)(5) acts as an affirmative defense to a prosecution under the Public Health Code, meaning that the defendant has the responsibility of establishing that he or she was suffering from a serious or debilitating medical condition as a prerequisite to establishing a medical marijuana defense. Once the defendant has presented sufficient evidence to establish the existence of a sufficiently serious medical condition, the prosecuting attorney may seek to rebut it, including by cross-examination of the defendant's physician regarding whether the defendant had a serious or debilitating medical condition. Of course, the prosecution may also call medical experts to rebut the defendant's evidence.

A defendant asserting the medical marijuana defense bears the burden of establishing the existence of a qualifying medical condition; a mere assertion is not sufficient. 23 Further, it logically follows that a defendant resorting to that defense by placing into evidence his or her medical condition necessarily waives any physician-patient privilege that would otherwise limit a prosecutor's prerogative to question the defendant's physician or examine pertinent [*82] medical records.

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23 Although most qualifying patients and primary caregivers apparently believe they are immune from arrest or prosecution if they possess registration cards, the MMMA makes no such provision. Instead, the act leaves a qualifying patient or primary caregiver subject to criminal proceedings for any conduct not for the purposes of alleviating the qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or its symptoms. MCL 333.26424(a) and (b); MCL 333.26427(b)(5). In my opinion, all certification forms should include a warning that, even though the patient has a registry card, the patient could still be prosecuted for conduct that is not in strict accordance with the provisions of the MMMA.

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In the present case, both defendants contend that they are entitled to assert an affirmative defense under § 8 of the MMMA. Section 8 addresses affirmative defenses for patients and caregivers under the act. It reads as follows:

(a) Except as provided in section 7, a patient and a patient's primary caregiver, if any, may assert the medical purpose for using marihuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marihuana, and this defense shall be presumed valid where the evidence shows that:

(1) [*83] A physician has stated that, in the physician's professional opinion, after having completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship, the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition;

(2) The patient and the patient's primary caregiver, if any, were collectively in possession of a quantity of marihuana that was not more than was reasonably necessary to ensure the uninterrupted availability of marihuana for the purpose of treating or alleviating the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition; and

(3) The patient and the patient's primary caregiver, if any, were engaged in the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marihuana or paraphernalia relating to the use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition [*84] or symptoms of the patient's serious or debilitating medical condition.

(b) A person may assert the medical purpose for using marihuana in a motion to dismiss, and the charges shall be dismissed following an evidentiary hearing where the person shows the elements listed in subsection (a).

(c) If a patient or a patient's primary caregiver demonstrates the patient's medical purpose for using marihuana pursuant to this section, the patient and the patient's primary caregiver shall not be subject to the following for the patient's medical use of marihuana:

(1) disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau; or

(2) forfeiture of any interest in or right to property. [MCL 333.26428.]

In this section, the act speaks for the first time in terms of a patient instead of a qualifying patient. The purpose of § 8 is to establish an affirmative defense for those marijuana users and growers who are not registered with the state. Read out of context and with a limitless imagination, one could conclude that qualifying patients, patient caregivers, physicians, or persons in general, may not be arrested or prosecuted for any actions involving marijuana, i.e., the [*85] act in essence legalizes marijuana in Michigan. But, as I have previously stated, the language of the ballot proposal and a contextual reading of the act belies this premise.

In order for defendants to assert an affirmative defense under § 8(a)(1), they must first establish that Dr. Eric Eisenbud, the physician who signed their medical marijuana authorizations, treated them in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship, and they must further establish that they have a serious or debilitating condition under § 7(b)(5). Both defendants have failed to establish either prerequisite to asserting a § 8 affirmative defense.

At issue is the term, "in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship." This phrase has three components: physician-patient relationship, bona fide, and in the course of. When construing a statute, a court should presume that every word has some meaning; a construction rendering some part nugatory or surplusage should be avoided. People v Seiders, 262 Mich App 702, 705; 686 NW2d 821 (2004). "Physician-patient relationship" clearly means that a patient must have the traditional doctor-patient relationship. Use of the qualifier "bona fide" indicates [*86] that the drafters of this act were concerned about such doctors as the Livingston County one described in part IV, infra, who routinely sell written certifications for profit, rather than provide them for any genuine medical reason. Any such doctor is not engaging in the good faith practice of medicine, and any such certifications must be disallowed under this act. 24 "In the course of" clearly means that the bona fide relationship has been in existence beyond just one occasion. An individual who visits a doctor for the first time for the sole purpose of obtaining certification for use of medical marijuana, especially after an arrest on drug charges, does not satisfy the requirement that such certification come about in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship. Conversely, a primary-care physician who has long been treating a patient suffering from a terminal illness or a serious or debilitating condition is certainly acting in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship. (THIS IS THE DOC-IN-THE-BOX CLAIM I MADE IN WASHINGTON)

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24 Some seek medical marijuana for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. At the very least, the progress of such treatments should be carefully monitored by a doctor. But the MMMA [*87] appears to discard the concept of any monitoring within the "bona fide" physician-patient relationship. Where monitoring of patients is not taking place, how can the physician-patient relationship be a "bona fide" one? Should the medical profession step forward on this issue? I note that the medical profession generally opposed the MMMA because, as one official put it, "it's not in the public health interest to see people smoke." Satyanarayana, supra note 17, quoting Donald Allen, Director of the Office of Drug Control and Policy.

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Certain protocols must be adhered to, or elements met, before a bona fide physician-patient relationship can be established. Among these are the following: the physician must create and maintain medical records; the physician must have a complete understanding of the patient's medical history; specific medical issues must be identified, and plans developed to address each; treatment must be conducted in a professional setting; the physician must, where appropriate, set boundaries for the patient; and the physician must monitor the patient's progress. Important for treatment of most medical conditions, especially those involving chronic pain, is continuity [*88] of treatment. Some chronic pain patients with serious or debilitating conditions need constant monitoring for their own safety. I note that, in the present case, while some of these protocols, or elements, are present in Dr. Eisenbud's treatment of defendants, others are lacking in both substance and in process.

In order to have a bona fide physician-patient relationship, a legal duty must be established between the physician and his or her patient. If no duty arises from the relationship, then no legally recognizable physician-patient relationship exists. Only once a physician-patient relationship is established and a treatment plan is instituted may a physician be held liable for malpractice under Michigan law. However, by insulating a physician from "prosecution, or penalty in any manner," including "civil penalty" in connection with that physician's certification of a patient for medical marijuana, § 4(f) leaves a physician so acting unaccountable in the matter to society and to his or her patient. It is problematic to classify a physician-patient relationship where the physician has no enforceable duties to the patient as bona fide. In my opinion, because such physicians as Dr. [*89] Eisenbud, in the course of approving written certifications for medical marijuana use, do not establish a legally binding physician-patient relationship in the matter, such relationships, in the eyes of the law, are not bona fide.

In this regard, the catch-22 for patients is found in §§ 4(f) and 8(a). Section 4(f) provides that "a physician shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner or denied any right or privilege including but not limited to civil penalty." But §§ 8(a) and 8(a)(1) of the act state that a patient can assert a medical marijuana defense if in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship the physician makes certain statements and authorizes the patient to use medical marijuana. It would be unusual, if not outright peculiar, for the law to recognize a physician-patient relationship where no potential liability attached to the actions of the treating physician.

Because one part of the MMMA provides that no civil liability, and thus no potential malpractice liability, attaches to physicians who authorize the use of medical marijuana, while another part of the act states that a physician must have a bona fide physician-patient relationship [*90] in order to implement the affirmative medical marijuana defense, the act presents a seemingly irreconcilable internal conflict.

Adding to the confusion in this case is that, according to the record, all of Dr. Eisenbud's patients visited him for a single treatment plan and for no other purpose. In each instance then, the patient is not only directing the treatment plan, but setting his or her own boundaries and monitoring his or her own progress. It strains credibility to suggest that a treatment plan has already been established before the doctor has examined the patient. The confusion is resolved by simply concluding that a one-stop shopping event to obtain a permission slip to use medical marijuana under § 8 does not meet the requirements of subsection 8(a)(1) that such authorization occurs in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship. Stated another way, a § 8 affirmative defense is not available unless the testifying physician is the patient's treating physician for the underlying serious or debilitating condition. Dr. Eisenbud was not either defendants' treating physician, and therefore, the § 8 affirmative defense was not available to them.

In an attempt to explain [*91] and help this Court interpret the protections contained in the MMMA, Karen O'Keefe, who was identified in part II of this opinion as Director of State Policies at the MPP in Washington, D.C., filed an affidavit in this case. In the affidavit, Ms. O'Keefe states, in paragraph four, that she was the "principal drafter of Michigan's medical marijuana ballot initiative." In paragraph eight she states, "We intended for both Michigan law and MPP's model legislation to include two levels of protection [defenses]," with § 4 providing the greater level of protection, and § 8 a lesser level of protection. While that affidavit may assist this Court in separating those two types of protection, it does not address any protections under either § 4 or § 8 concerning the sale of marijuana in Michigan. What it does accomplish is to confirm that the MMMA was intended to provide defenses from arrest and prosecution for the use of small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes. But neither the affidavit nor the act itself asserts that the MMMA provides any protections for the sale of marijuana in Michigan. To have authorized the sale of medical marijuana in Michigan, the MMMA would have had specifically [*92] to make such provision. It did not. I further note that the language of the ballot proposal did not mention that sale of marijuana was included in the act. It is therefore clear that neither § 4 nor § 8 of the MMMA affords any protections for the sale of marijuana in Michigan. 25

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25 The MMMA contains a number of catch-22 situations for the unsuspecting: The act allows someone who is properly registered to possess marijuana, but anyone receiving compensation for the marijuana from someone other than the registrant's qualifying primary caregiver may be prosecuted. The act also allows caregivers and patients to grow marijuana, but then provides that this must be done in an enclosed locked facility. Anyone growing marijuana in his or her backyard can thus be prosecuted under the Public Health Code. Another peculiarity is that patients, or their caregivers, may grow marijuana, but there is no provision for the legal purchase of marijuana seeds or plants in the first instance. The act also includes no caregiver-reporting requirement, which raises the questions, how much may a caregiver charge his or her qualifying patient, and how does a caregiver report the income on tax returns? Another [*93] oddity is that the act allows a patient to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12 plants. MCL 333.26424(b)(1) and (2). What is the legal consequence if the plants are all harvested at the same time and they happen to produce more than 2.5 ounces?

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IV. WHAT MUST BE CONTAINED ON THE WRITTEN CERTIFICATION AND HOW DOES ONE OBTAIN A WRITTEN CERTIFICATION FROM A QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN?

Through no fault on the part of legitimate patients and caregivers who are taking pains in good faith to comply with the law and conduct themselves accordingly, the current written certification process reflects badly on them. The process also reflects badly on legitimate physicians who honestly believe that marijuana would assist their patients.

Section 3(l) of the MMMA defines "written certification" as

a document signed by a physician, stating the patient's debilitating medical condition and stating that, in the physician's professional opinion, the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marihuana to treat or alleviate the patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition.

In the present case, the defendants' written [*94] certification forms fail to set forth their respective debilitating medical conditions and therefore are invalid on their face. I further regard the process used to obtain the written certification under the current administrative rules as suspect and opine that Section 3(l) of the MMMA is clearly the most abused section in the MMMA. 26

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26 I reiterate that, even with a registry card, a qualifying patient can be prosecuted for uses of marijuana exceeding the scope of the statutory defenses. See MCL 333.26424(d)(2).

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I do not direct my critical comments toward those qualifying patients who do in fact have a serious debilitating condition and seek some solace in medical marijuana. This act was intended to help those individuals. My comments are directed at those who are currently abusing the written certification process, i.e., the majority of the persons who are becoming certified at this time. My comments are also directed at those who are charged with the oversight of the administrative process.

At oral arguments, it was revealed that a certain Livingston County doctor was selling written certifications for $ 50. Apparently all one had to do to obtain a written certification to use medical marijuana was [*95] to show up at this doctor's house and slip $ 50 under the door. This history of the written certification process may in fact jeopardize the entire medical marijuana process for those who are legitimately entitled to use it. New checks and balances on this process are certainly in order to resolve this problem. 27

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27 There currently exist no checks and balances on physicians signing the written certification forms. A simple revision to the form that requires a doctor under penalty of perjury to attest that each patient has a serious or debilitating condition, and name that condition, might clean up the process. Doctors who are indiscriminately selling written certifications could then be penalized by the courts for issuing false certificates. This would work an important reform, given that § 4(f) appears to immunize even physicians who intentionally sign false certifications. Limiting the number of certifications one doctor may sign might further deter fraudulent certifications.

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I will set forth the histories of the MMMA and its written certification process in parts V and VI of this opinion, and leave readers to form their own opinions whether the written certification process is serving [*96] its legitimate purpose or is being abused. It is within the providence of our legislative and executive officials to retain or change that process. But I reiterate that in the present case both defendants' written certifications 28 do not comply with the statute and are therefore invalid ab initio. 29 The balance of this opinion will address issues concerning the written certification process, which the Legislature or DCH are free to change if persuaded that a problem exists.

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28 In the present case, Dr. Eisenbud testified that he met with each defendant for about a half an hour, spending five minutes reviewing the medical records, and about ten minutes on the physical examination, while also interviewing them. On those bases Dr. Eisenbud then certified that he was treating both defendants "for a terminal illness or a serious debilitating condition." Such foolishness is so obvious on its face as to deserve no more than a footnote in this opinion to expose it, although I note that even Dr. Eisenbud's certifications appear to be more credible than the Livingston County doctor described in the previous paragraph.29 The certification forms here at issue state as follows:

I, Eric Eisenbud, MD, [*97] am a physician, duly licensed in the State of Michigan. I have completed a full assessment of this patient's medical history, and I am treating this patient for a terminal illness or a debilitating condition as defined in Michigan's medical marijuana law. I completed a full assessment of this patient's current medical condition. The assessment was made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship. I have advised the patient about the potential risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana. I have formed my professional opinion that the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh any health risks for the patient. This patient is LIKELY to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marijuana to treat or alleviate a serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms of the serious or debilitating medical condition. [Capitals in the original.]

I note that Dr. Eisenbud attempts to specify neither what the subject ailment is, nor whether it constitutes a terminal illness or a debilitating condition.

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V. HISTORY OF THE MMMA

The MMMA has a noble purpose, i.e., providing an avenue for improving the health or comfort of those [*98] afflicted with a serious or debilitating medical condition. 30 One supposes that most citizens voting for the MMMA envisioned that those individuals suffering from such conditions would visit their regular doctors, obtain prescriptions for marijuana, and then have the prescription filled at a licensed pharmacy. Citizens would rightly expect such process because the drug delivery system in Michigan has always dispensed drugs in this manner. 31

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30 Some assert that marijuana is not a bad thing, especially in light of current research, and that those thinking otherwise are illogical prudes. Then there is the view of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which maintains that marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. http://www.nida.nih.gov.proxy.lib.pd...marijuana.html (accessed September 10, 2010). The Partnership for a Drug Free America similarly reports that "[s]tudies show that someone who smokes 5 joints per week may be taking in as many cancer causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pact of cigarettes a day." Marijuana Facts | Effects of Weed (accessed September 10, 2010). While each of these views is legitimate, [*99] for purposes of this opinion I am not concerned with which view the law should reflect. This Court's job is to interpret statutes as they are written. Public policy is determined by the other branches of government.31 A question that arises is why the need for a specialized medical marijuana business, instead of dispensing through pharmacies as is the case of other legal prescription drugs, if the marijuana is for medical purposes? The answer, in many cases, is that the medical purpose is mere pretext.

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The DCH is the agency charged with regulating this new industry. Under the act, the DCH was required to draft within 120 days administrative rules to implement the act. MCL 333.26429(a). The Governor oversees administrative agencies such as the DCH, and the Legislature also plays a role, maintaining checks and balances to ensure that administrative agencies function properly. Under the normal process, those elected or appointed officials would maintain sufficient control of the process to assure that a Schedule 1 drug would not be sold, distributed, or otherwise transferred to the public without a legitimate process in place to regulate the use, sale, and delivery of that drug.

Further, [*100] in legitimate medical practice, doctors would observe their ethical duties to sign their names to written certification forms only if their patients were actually suffering from terminal illnesses or serious or debilitating medical conditions, as the act specifies. 32 No ethical doctor would advertise for sale, to unqualified patients, their signatures on those forms. Doctors with the personal integrity demanded of that profession would not examine a patient for just several minutes, opine from that short examination that the patient has a terminal illness or a serious or debilitating condition, and then certify that the patient would benefit from the use of a Schedule 1 drug. Or would they? Given that these practices have become widespread in Michigan, either I, or the doctors engaging in that practice, should review the question of what integrity and ethics in the medical profession entails.

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32 In proper medical practice, when a doctor prescribes a drug, that doctor carefully monitors the patient to see if the drug is working, if there are side effects, etc. Shouldn't doctors similarly monitor their patients' uses of marijuana, including determining and prescribing proper dosages, [*101] monitoring side effects, etc.? Does giving the okay for a marijuana card create an ongoing physician-patient relationship and obligate the physician to keep abreast of the situation? Under the MMMA and current rules, however, doctors are not doing their job, neither setting boundaries for their patients nor inquiring into the effectiveness or adverse side effects of the marijuana use. In reality, what have resulted are faux physician-patient relationships.

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The ballot proposal was not intended to legalize marijuana in the State of Michigan. It was intended to protect "from arrest the vast majority of seriously ill people who have a medical need to use marijuana." MCL 333.26424(b)(2). It was not intended to protect those individuals who are "fraudulently obtaining written certifications."
VI. HISTORY OF THE WRITTEN CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Shortly after the MMMA was passed, advertisements began appearing in the print media. These notices advertised that, for a price, one could visit the marijuana doctor and get certified for the use of marijuana. One such ad reads as follows:

[SEE FIGURE IN ORIGINAL]

Soon thereafter, a billboard appeared on I-75 advertising that, with a phone call, one could be [*102] certified for the use of medical marijuana in Michigan. Radio spots then began to advertise that the marijuana doctor would be in Saginaw on Monday, in Bay City on Tuesday, and Midland on Wednesday. With a quick visit to the doctor one could become certified to use, grow, and possibly sell marijuana.

In California, where a similar law has been on the books for a few years, these doctors have taken the process one step further. They have actually set up tents on the beaches and posted signs in front of them advertising easy access to medical-marijuana certification:

[SEE FIGURE IN ORIGINAL]

College students typically patrol in front of the tents and on the beach, encouraging all passersby to enter the tent and get certified for using marijuana. Doctors in California are now advertising that they will refund the certification fee to anyone for whom they cannot find a marijuana-worthy medical ailment. 33

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33 The sale of written certifications has become a very profitable industry in California, as I fear it will soon become here in Michigan. See Mortensen, California and Uncle Sam's tug-of war over Mary Jane is really harshing the mellow, 30 J Nat'l Ass'n Admin L Judiciary 127, 152 (2010) [*103] (identifying an "enormous administrative and regulatory void" in connection with medical marijuana in California, and reporting that it is being filled primarily by "free market principles and by the discretion of marijuana-friendly California doctors who have made a healthy profit off of medical 'recommendations,'" and opining that such "void-fillers do not have the health, safety, and welfare of Californians in mind").

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The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation advertises on its website that the organization has offices in Detroit/Southfield, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint, Saginaw, Marquette, Traverse City, and Lansing, and lists six doctors, none of whom reside in Michigan and only one of whom, the afore-mentioned Dr. Eisenbud, is licensed to practice in this state. Home | The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, THCF Medical Clinics, THC Foundation, Medical Marijuana Doctors, Medical Marijuana Clinics, Medical Marijuana Referrals, Medical Marijuana Permit, Medical Marijuana Card, Serving The Cannabis Community Since 1 (accessed September 10, 2010).

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Certification Center advertises electronic filing on its website, providing a form that can be filled out online to start the certification process. Locations (accessed September 10, 2010). One can even E-file one's signature on the form.

According to the DCH, it had issued 27,755 patient registrations as of September [*104] 3, 2010, and has been struggling to manage the rate of applications coming in. MDCH - Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (accessed September 10, 2010).

Because of the backlog of applications, the House Oversight Committee on Community Health has proposed House Bill 5902 to privatize the issuance of registry cards to the public. That legislation would require the DCH to contract with a third party to take over the issuance of medical marijuana registry cards. In essence, this bill proposes to turn over regulation to the persons regulated--an arrangement that, under normal circumstances, would be deemed highly suspect.

Even advertisements for new careers are beginning to appear in the newspapers. One such advertisement appeared in the July 19, 2010, Northern Express Weekly:

[SEE FIGURE IN ORIGINAL]

That someone is spending money to run such an ad well proves that confusion runs rampant concerning what is, and is not, legal under the MMMA.

Unfortunately, the administrative rules associated with the MMMA do not provide for any checks and balances on the accuracy of the medical certifications signed by these doctors. At one thousand new medical marijuana users per [*105] week, 34 Michigan will soon have more registered marijuana users then we do unemployed--an incredible legacy for the Great Lakes State. And soon we will even have graduates from the Medical Marijuana Academy.

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34 See Yung, Who's making money off medical marijuana?, Detroit Free Press, June 21, 2010, p 4A.

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What has been lost in the rush to implement the MMMA is a comprehensive set of administrative rules. Under MCL 333.26429(a), the DCH only had 120 days to draft the administrative rules that are currently in effect. As evidenced by the rules that did come into being, this was a totally unreasonable time limit for such a task. 35

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35 The current administrative rules include no reporting requirements, no log-keeping requirements, and no directions for school officials or law enforcement officers on how to regulate the new medical marijuana industry. The DCH should continue the rule-making process, taking pains to hear from all interested parties. At oral arguments, the attorneys for both sides expressed their approval of a negotiated rule making process. The goal would be to set boundaries for all associated with the MMMA.

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No system of regulation can succeed without a clear set of rules. [*106] Those wishing to use marijuana need to know when, how, and under what conditions they can legally do so. Providers need to know under what conditions they can legally grow, harvest, and distribute their product, and the operators of the new medical marijuana clinics that appear to be springing up on every corner need to know if they are in fact set up to dispense marijuana to the public legally. Until today, the DCH, the Legislature, and the appellate courts have answered very few of these questions. Pressure and confusion results from trying to operate under a system where no one has stepped forward and stated specifically what actions are legal and what actions are not. It appears that most elected officials, including my colleagues, understand the political nature of this controversy and simply choose to address the MMMA only to the extent that a particular occasion requires. I, on the other hand, right or wrong, prefer giving some notice to those concerned before they are deprived of their liberty and property. 36

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36 I am reminded of Shakespeare's sentiments, "Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news / Hath but a losing office" (Henry IV, part 2), and "Come hither, sir. Though it [*107] be honest, it is never good to bring bad news" (Antony and Cleopatra), and a more modern equivalent, "please don't shoot the messenger".

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What is clear from reading the lower court record in this case is that no one has set out a comprehensive plan to implement the new MMMA. The job of setting public policy should not be handed to the courts as a consequence of inaction of legislative or administrative officials. Those elected and appointed officials can choose to remain silent and allow the courts to interpret this act on a piece-meal or case-by-case basis, or the statute can be revised, or pertinent administrative rules revised, to provide a clear direction to all citizens, including the courts, who are affected by this act.
VII. CONCLUSION

To quote from Sir Walter Scott's 1808 poem, Marmion, "O, what a tangled web we weave / When first we practise to deceive!" Of central importance to this appeal is the question, is the MMMA a subterfuge for legalizing marijuana in this state, or is it a legitimate medical reform intended to help only those individuals who have a terminal illness or a serious or debilitating medical condition?

The answer is simple. For those who instituted the process [*108] of placing the proposal on the ballot, the MMMA was both an avenue for allowing society to explore the medical uses of marijuana, but also a first step in legalizing marijuana in Michigan. For some citizens who voted for the bill out of empathy for the terminally ill or those suffering from debilitating conditions, it was a vote for a medical process that would help those in need. Unfortunately for all concerned with the implementation of the medical mission, including compassionate-care groups, marijuana growers, marijuana users, marijuana dispensers, police, prosecutors, municipalities, townships, etc., the act has resulted in much confusion. And it has suggested itself to many purely recreational marijuana consumers as a vehicle to aid in their continuing illicit indulgence in that vice.

In any event, the MMMA is currently the law in the state of Michigan. To the extent possible, it must be administered in a manner that protects the rights of all of our citizens. When prosecutors and defense attorneys agree that the law is hazy and unclear and poses hazards to all concerned because it does not with sufficient clarity identify what conduct is now legal and what conduct remains illegal, [*109] it is time for action from our legislative and executive officials. While the MMMA may be controversial and polarizing, politics should be set aside in the interest of the rule of law in our state. 37

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37 I note that Senators Kahn, Kuipers, and Van Woerkom have introduced bills that might resolve some of the issues raised in this opinion.

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With the MMMA, two roads have diverged in the forest: 38 one leads to refining and distilling the administrative rules and other law associated with the act, and the other leads to the regulators and regulated alike being totally confused concerning how to give effect to the act. The former leads to the orderly implementation of the MMMA, while the latter leads to disrespect for the law and possibly contempt for the rule of the law itself. 39 Our legislative and administrative officials must make a choice: they can either clarify the law with legislative refinements and a comprehensive set of administrative rules, or they can do nothing. In this situation, no decision is, in fact, a decision to do nothing. 40

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38 This line is adapted from the beginning of Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken ("Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,").39 An example of confusion [*110] at best, or disrespect for the law at worst, is that there is a marijuana shop in Lansing that is less than 100 feet from a school. Clearly, this shop is in violation of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, 20 USC 7101 et seq.40 I recall an old cartoon that depicted a king in his palace, with his subjects outside rioting, pillaging, and otherwise destroying the kingdom. The king asks, "Why are they rioting, I didn't do anything?" His wisest advisor responds, "Maybe that is the problem."

I'm interested in learning what the outcome and ramifications of such cases are.

However, it would be much more useful to the layperson if they were discussed in a clear and concise manner, and without resorting to namecalling. Otherwise, most people simply won't read it, and probably won't be nearly as interested in reading those people's posts in the future.

I'm just sayin'.

lol block o text

The problem is when judges and attorneys become involved it becomes more complicated that it really is. All they have to do is follow the intent of the law. The voters want MMJ for patients, if they're basically in the guidelines, leave them alone.

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Originally Posted by postableme

I'm interested in learning what the outcome and ramifications of such cases are.

However, it would be much more useful to the layperson if they were discussed in a clear and concise manner, and without resorting to namecalling. Otherwise, most people simply won't read it, and probably won't be nearly as interested in reading those people's posts in the future.

I'm just sayin'.

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Hi chet,

Glad to know your interested in "these type of cases" but, it should be that the poster is irrelevant to the information being posted, especially in these types of cases...if people miss the info. because of the person giving the same message with the same data...well then I guess one can be as color blind as they wish...

The real issue here is I don't hold back "anything" related too or against THCF period...they violate every public policy known in the healthcare community...I.E. PAUL STANFORD IS A FRAUD AND CROOK..

It would behoove us all for the doc-in-the-boxes to go away..as this is why these cases arise...because as the concurring judge shows us...this is completely wrong.

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Originally Posted by wreckinger

I am sorry sir, but your accusations are completely false regarding The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation. The medical evaluations our doctors conduct and authorizations our doctors sign are 100% completely valid and are in full compliance of every states medical marijuana law they operate in. If you read close enough to the judge's comments you would have noticed that he acknowledged the legitimacy of Dr. Eisenbuds authority to issure a medical marijuana recommendation and comended Dr. Eisenbuds evaluation stating:

"The district court also noted that although Dr. Eisenbud testified regarding defendants' legitimate need to use marijuana for medical purposes, there was no testimony regarding what was a reasonably necessary amount for defendants to possess. The district court concluded that it would simply apply the amount of two and one-half ounces and 12 plants set by § 4 as what was reasonably necessary, [*11] and it granted defendants' motion to dismiss, explaining:

"For that reason, I believe that section 8 entitles the defendants to a dismissal, even though they did not possess the valid medical card, because section 8 says if they can show the fact that a doctor believed that they were likely to receive a therapeutic benefit, and this doctor testified to that [sic]. And Dr. Eisenbud is a physician licensed by the State of Michigan. And that's the only requirement that the statute has. You don't have to be any type of physician, you just have to be a licensed physician by the State of Michigan.

So, based on that, I find section 8 does apply. And I believe I'm obligated to dismiss this matter based on section 8 of the statute.

Regarding the prosecution's request for a clarification about whether "the doctor's testimony rose to the level of a bona fide physician-patient relationship," the district court stated:

Based on his testimony, he indicated that he -- he read their medical records, he saw them, and I think his total time was about half an hour totally spent with them, which, based on my own personal experience, I don't find inconsistent with my own doctor. So I guess it's a bona fide [*12] relationship."

The judge clearly confirms that Dr. Eisenbud was licensed in Michigan at the time of their appointment and was within the scope of his authority to recommend medical marijuana for these patietns, while establishing that his medical evaluation did meet the criteria of a "bona fide physician-patient realtionship."

As Killerweed mentioned before, the prosecuting argument was weather or not the patients were legal or not because they did not physically posses the state issued license, which is a problem in every state that has a medical marijuana registry AND an affirmative defense argument set up in their MMJ law. Remember, this is not the ruling majority opinion, and the case is still in litigation.

Similar issues are happening here in Colorado where it is taking the state registry 7-8 months to issue licenses, eventhough in the law it states that the patient has to be notified within 35 days otherwise they are to be considered legal.

THCF's protocal has been investigated and approved by state regulatory authorities in 9 states. We follow a protocol developed by the Oregon Health Department and it has been investigated and found valid and meeting current acceptable standards of medical practice in in Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and Montana.

Furthermore, THCF stands behind and defends its patients no matter what the problem or charge may be. We are the only organization to defend patients in a DEA investigation from a grand jury subpoena. The federal court judge wrote at the end of his decision, " ... (THCF) Clinic's records represent the implementation of the State's program and are integral to the success of the program."

The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation has been helping patients obtain a medical marijuana permit nationwide since 1999, helping over 100,000 patients. Now don't you think that an organization that has been around that long and has helped so many people obtain a medical marijuana permit would be under close federal scrutiny, and if there had been any questions or investigations regarding the legitimacy of their practices, THCF would have been shut down long ago? Fact of the matter is that our organization is always up to standard and in complience with current medical marijuana laws for each and every state we operate in.

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Furthermore, THCF stands behind and defends its patients no matter what the problem or charge may be.

YOU ARE SO WRONG HERE !! I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION MANY DECLARATIONS FROM THE HEAD CEO DENYING APPROX. 17 PATIENTS LAWFUL COVERAGE AFTER BUYING ONE OF THOSE FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS THIS COURT FOUND TO BE TRULY NOT A BONA-FIDE RELATIONSHIP ..I.E. THE EXACT SAME ONES YOU THINK THAT FEDERAL CASE WAS ABOUT...I SUGGEST YOU REALLY READ THAT FEDERAL CASE..IT IS NOT WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE( no prosecutor in their right mind, with even half a brain would produce"probable cause" info. to any grand jury proceeding, this is very highly suspect...AND WILL BE SUPERSEDED AS TO THCF, NOT THE STATE...GUESS YOU MISSED THE PART ABOVE WHICH SHOWS THCF OR IT'S EMPLOYEE DOCTORS ARE NOT AMENABLE TO ANY AGENCY OVERSITE TO SHUT THEM DOWN...OR SUE THEM..., and gives out fraudulent documentation to patients,.....HELLO??

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Originally Posted by justpics

lol block o text

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Better than block-o-head.lol.;)

This is called read it for your own self....sorry you have such a discriminatory animus towards reading legal info. from the courts...I could cut out alot of this block text and just say as I do, THCF is a fraud, paul stanford is a fraud, the documentation from thcf or any doc-in-the-box with a 1 yr. is a pretext to allow the clock of the aff. defense to be reset every year, just for the judicial system to make money....:D

But, my choice is to show every step of the process of shutting down doc-in-the-boxes....U.S. wide....they are why we go to jail with our thoughts they will protect us...as the judge points out...tis not the case, they fraud patients and take their money unlawfully.

Instead of posting endless blocks of text, if you want people to read your posts, you can read through it and just quote the most relavent sections.

No one is going to read all that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justpics

Instead of posting endless blocks of text, if you want people to read your posts, you can read through it and just quote the most relavent sections.

No one is going to read all that.

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What is relevant to some is irrelevant to others...I as well as others have read the whole text I posted...it's a mater of what your interested in reading..if it is block text to you, then don't read it...

We can't please everyone now can we?

What was so relevant to me..the court ruled against the way THCF operates to fraud patients..and how the concurring judge explains why...but, to understand why, ya got's to read the whole damn thing or you get the remarks posted above because people don't fully understand why the appeals court ruled like it did...reschedule, instead of THCF pretext to fully legalize cannabis in the u.s.....just as the state of Oregon did.

The court is correct about the bona-fide patient-physician relationship issue, because the owner of THCF is not a licensed healthcare practitioner(which they left out of the current ruling, I am sure if the patients don't plea bargain, it will come out in a trial...). A person signed with THCF is actually doing business with the owner/operator via contract which in turn is invalid, because fee splitting is illegal and to boot THCF website clearly claims they do not "DIAGNOSE" any patients but, are only a IME clinic..in Oregon state, IME clinics can be owned and operated by laypersons....non licensed healthcare laypersons.