Pompo

First Michigan marijuana IDs to be issued Saturday
Medical pot law a headache for patients and government
4/1/09|Detroit Free Press| by Megha Satyanarayana - Free Press Staff Writer



Steven Karapandza has tried two dozen drugs to treat headaches. After trying marijuana, the 27-year-old Sterling Heights computer worker sensed some relief, and with the passage of the state's medical marijuana law, decided to become a legal medicinal user.

"It's got good palliative benefits," he said. "I could care less if pot's ever legalized recreationally."

Now, he's nervous after Madison Heights police raided the home of a medical marijuana user who kept an address book that included other users. The Michigan Department of Community Health is to begin a program Saturday to issue identification cards for those who have a doctor's note recommending the drug.

The law went into effect Dec. 4, but without much guidance for users. It's one of many gray areas that have come to light in the run-up to the launch of the state's program.

Rae Ramsdell, health professions licensing director for MDCH, said she has little power to enforce policies spelled out in the law limiting users to 12 plants each.

She's also worried about an onslaught of applications in the first few weeks, as she and her staff have only 15 calendar days to turn around an identification card, on top of regular responsibilities licensing other health professions in the state. Applications can be mailed starting Saturday or delivered in person Monday.

Greg Francisco, director of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, said the police should have backed down when the Madison Heights man, Robert Redden, showed them his doctor's letter. The law calls for an ID card, said Police Chief Kevin Sagan, so the letter may not be enough.

Ramsdell said she's heard from 120 people who want applications for the card or information about getting a doctor's letter. Many others mistakenly believe the health department will dispense medical marijuana.

That gray area worries future user Stephanie Annis, 30, of New Hudson.

"I've never grown any plant in my life," she said. Annis has chronic pain and wasting syndrome from surgeries, and marijuana could help with the pain and loss of appetite.