Lack of Clarity Ends Badly For At Least One Michigan Medical Marijuana Businessman

Medical Marijuana patients in Williamston, MI most likely became abruptly sober when narcotics officers bust through the door of the Green Leaf Smokers Club with their weapons drawn. This private organization which provides a communal area for patients to congregate and medicate had been under scrutiny from law enforcement ever since the facility opened their doors. The patrons, all registered users, were forced to the ground, and only permitted to leave after showing officers their valid, state-issued, registration cards. The facility supposedly does not sell or provide medication to its patrons, but simply allows a private environment, restrictive to individuals with proper documentation, to medicate legally--or so they thought. The cause of the raid, and possibly even the establishment of the facility is due to the ambiguity in Michigan's Medical Marijuana law. Across the state, registered Michigan Medical Marijuana users have clashed with law enforcement over the misinterpretation of the law. Without explicit, clear cut verbiage Michigan Medical Marijuana patients can expect to run into the same dilemmas and issues. The wrath of these misinterpretations is most often felt by the providers and patients who operate their businesses in the midst of ambiguity. The owner of the Green Leaf Smokers Club is a clear example, who, following the raid of his facility, is now facing several misdemeanor and felony drug charges. While Medical Marijuana is still technically legal in Michigan, the current law leaves patients unsure as to exactly where, when, and how they are protected.