By Weed Warrior
House Bill 5512 must never ever become a law in the State of Michigan. If this bill were to become a law, it would allow a judge to over-ride a decision of a Medical Doctor allowing a person to use Medical Marijuana as a treatment for their condition in Michigan Drug Courts. Defendants would be forced to return to using opioids as an alternative treatment that may lead to complications up to and including death. This bill will affect military veterans in the Veterans Drug Treatment Courts that are trying to kick their Opioid addictions. This bill was fast tracked based on deliberate mis-information from the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) who stated the following:
- Michigan's treatment courts would lose federal funding by allowing defendants to use Marijuana as their medicine.
- Public safety was at risk because of defendants being able to drive as a Medical Marijuana patient even though studies have shown that this is not true.
- The black sheep theory of if someone is using Medical Marijuana then their use of medicine will "corrupt" other defendants in the program
- MATCP propaganda stating that the law only affects a small number of patients and the change would have a minimal impact upon the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program.
It is not the small number of patients affected that is the problem, it is the gall of the MATCP. Changing a citizen initiated law in this manner goes against the integrity of the law and, is a slap in the face to the voters in Michigan. 2 million people voted for one thing and 84 House of Representatives told them to go to hell.
House Bill 5512 - State of Michigan (*.PDF Document)
One patient affected is one too many, especially when this legislation was devised by deliberate mis-information from this organization. Furthermore the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) issued a clarification memo on January 1st, 2020 to clarify the agency's position regarding Medical Marijuana use and federal funding. In a nutshell, they stated that a person can use Marijuana as a medicine as long as they defendant is advised that there are other drugs that they can take.
Article: Feds issue a clarification memo on 'Confusing' addiction funding rules for Drug Treatment Courts - August 2021
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| Senator Adam Hollier District 2 |
Furthermore SAMSHA stated that medical marijuana patients can in fact attend drug court even when it is federally funded.
This bill passed out of the Michigan House of Representatives by an 84 to 17 margin. This was more that the 3/4 majority of 110 representatives needed to advance this bill to the Michigan Senate. With the help of Democrats, including members of the Michigan Legislative Cannabis Caucus, did not take the time to read the SAMSHA memo of January 2020 voted YES against their constituents. They should be remembered at the ballot box in the August 2022 Primary and, November General Election of 2022 with a NO vote.
Now is the time to contact every Senator in Michigan at www.senate.michigan.gov and let them know to vote NO on House Bill 5512. Some of these legislators are running for higher office at State and Federal levels. Some are looking to be returned to Lansing in 2023 as Senators and Representatives. You must contact them through email, voicemail messages and, personal appointments to let your feelings be heard or, they will not get your vote this time.
Starting with Senator Mike Shirkey @ www.senatormikeshirkey.com, please take the time to state your objection to HB 5512 and, don't forget to contact the Office of the Governor and let them know to veto this bill. Additionally please contact the members of the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee. One of the members of the committee was former Secretary of State Ruth Johnson who refused to place the driver's license picture on the Medical Marijuana card for selfish reasons and, now is threatening to harm the MMMA again with this piece of damaged legislation.
Therefore, send your objections to the House Bill 5512 in an email or, call and leave a message on their voicemail NOW, because time is of the essence. The same Representatives and Senators are planning to support the anti-caregiver bills 5300, 5301, and 5301 that will take patients plants and, give them to corporate interests who's only concern is profit, profit, profit. If this action succeeds, the legislature will be successful screwing the caregivers who fought and died to make medicine available to patients in need.
If you are sending an email, please place HOUSE BILL 5512 - Opposed (organization name / or individual) in the subject line of the message. Then state your reasons for your objection for the record.
Legislators who Voted NO for the People on HB 5512
AGAINST
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
HOUSE REPUBLICANS
HOUSE LEGISLATORS WHO DID NOT VOTE (Equals a NO Vote)
Legislators who Voted YES against the People on House Bill 5512.
Legislative Hall of Shame 2022
IN FAVOR
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
HOUSE REPUBLICANS
