Medical Marijuana Michigan Clubs May be on the Chopping Block

The Michigan House of Representatives is set to review a bill regarding whether Medical Marijuana Clubs fall under protection of the Medical Marijuana laws in Michigan.

Currently, there are a number of businesses from Lansing to Ann Harbor which allow registered individuals with proper documentation to relax and medicate in a "legal" and supervised area. Many individuals who live in community housing or housing which prohibits the consumption of cannabis could be evicted should they be caught with--the still federally illegal--plant. For these patients, the only place to "safely" consume are standalone, independent facilities such as the Marijuana Clubs.

Supporters of the proposed bill are concerned that individuals who consume cannabis at these locations could then potentially be on the road and be a risk to the general public. In many other states where these "coffee houses" have sprung up, legislation soon followed to prevent users from consuming in the same location the medication is purchased. Many gray areas still exist in the laws, and people have found loopholes to circumvent the language of the current laws.

Club owners are adamant that they are providing a necessary service to community of registered patients, and are planning to fight the proposed bill. Pending cases involving such clubs could provide a precedent once the bill hits the House.