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Medical marijuana not allowed on CMU’s campus; legal disputes mounting throughout Michigan

By on September 3, 2010 5:30 am in Metro / 8 comments

 
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Marijuana is prohibited on Central Michigan University’s campus, despites the state’s legalization of the substance for medical purposes.

CMU must abide by federal law, which states the substance, whether medicinal or recreational, is illegal to use or possess.

“Federal law supersedes state law,” said Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life. “No marijuana is allowed on campus.”

Campus Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the university policy forbids possession, storage and use of medical marijuana.

But he said Residence Life is willing to work with students who need marijuana for medical purposes.

“If (students) live on campus, they’re not going to say, ‘We’re kicking you out,’” Yeagley said. “If you have an issue, you need to move off campus and it’s a legit reason to move off campus.”

Schmidt said the first offense of possession or use entails a fine of $100. Second offenses are punished with a possible suspension or $300 fine. She also said police may be involved, though whether to take legal action is ultimately their decision.

However, they yield to the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Maura Casey, White Lake sophomore, said marijuana practices on campus should match the state’s law.

“As long as you don’t smoke on campus, possession shouldn’t be a problem.” Casey said.

Eastern Michigan University recently banned medical marijuana on their campus, according to reports from the Eastern Echo.

The penalty on EMU’s campus for a first offense matches CMU’s.

Legal disputes

Medical marijuana has been a point of contention recently as a Mount Pleasant establishment, Compassionate Apothecary, was called to court by Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick to dispute whether the dispensary is legal. No judgment has been released.

Similarly, in Dryden, the Lapeer County Sheriff seized 50 marijuana plants, scales and $3,500 from a dispensary called Compassionate Care.

James McCurtis, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Community Health, said his department does not regulate dispensaries, nor do they deal with enforcement of the law; it simply decides who is able to receive a medical marijuana card.

“Dispensaries aren’t even mentioned in the law,” McCurtis said. “That is going to need to be clarified through the legislature or court system.”

Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, introduced a bill to stop consumption of marijuana on the premises of dispensaries.

Jones said the goal of this particular bill is not to make dispensaries illegal. However, he said medical marijuana should be treated like a standard pharmaceutical and given from a prescription by a doctor and brought to a pharmacy for distribution.

“I don’t want dispensaries to become places where they smoke the product and then drive away,” Jones said. “The ballot initiative was written very gray, it’s not clear.”

 

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_73C5GM7VU4N6ONIESUI45Y3DX4 Malcolm Kyle

    One out of three young African American (ages 18 to 35) men are in prison or on some form of supervised release. There are more African American men in prison than in college. Thats a four times higher percentage of Black men in prison than South Africa at the height of apartheid.

    Let's look at the statistics again: (2008 – illicit drug use by race) “Current illicit drug use among persons aged 12 or older varied by race/ethnicity in 2008, with the lowest rate among Asians (3.6 percent) (Figure 2.9). Rates were 14.7 percent for persons reporting two or more races, 10.1 percent for blacks, 9.5 percent for American Indians or Alaska Natives, 8.2 percent for whites, 7.3 percent of Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, and 6.2 percent for Hispanics.”

    That's 8.2% of whites and 10.1% of blacks using illicit drugs. Now look at the incarceration statistics:

    (2007 – incarceration rate by race) “The custody incarceration rate for black males was 4,618 per 100,000.
    while the incarceration rate of white males was 773 per 100,000.

    This means that there are at least 5 times more blacks incarcerated for drug offenses than should be expected. This is clearly a gross injustice!

    Whatever the exact dynamics involved, these horrific racial disparities are a direct result of drug-prohibition and are quite clearly unacceptable. This moronothon has done nothing but breed generations of incarcerated and disenfranchised Afro Americans and any citizen not doing their utmost to help reverse this perverse injustice may duly hang their head in shame.

  • wait…wha?

    ummm……what did this have anything to do with medical marijuana or the article in general.

    Going back to the article…..that’s probably the only intelligent non paranoia based thing I’ve ever heard Rick Jones ever say.

  • PabloKOh

    But cocaine, fentanyl, morphine, methamphetamine, powdered opium, opium poppy, oxycodone, PCP, anabolic steroids, methadone, pentobarbital (barbiturate), are all legal on campus when prescribed by a doctor. Cannabis is nowhere near these other drugs in regards to side effects and intoxication. Obviously medical cannabis laws are not enough protection for Michigan patients. It is time for the people of Michigan to fully legalize cannabis.

  • Gareth

    It's interesting how misguided Rep Jones is regarding the driving. Tickets for going too slow maybe…That aside, his lack of understanding as to the prescription process, if he had done his research, he would know that doctors canNOT prescribe because there is no way a pharmacy could dispense at this point. The gov't has terrible weed for that purpose thanks to NIDA. The reality is that doctors can 'certify' for the use only.

    The campus could do themselves and MM students a favor by providing a place where these students could go. Patients are allowed to share with fellow patients by law. They need a safe and secure place so they don't have to hide. Their card is the door key. Anyone involved would likely see this as positive.

    And Malcolm, thank you for showing the stats on this gross injustice.

  • MidMichMitch

    Yeah, recreational marijuana is allowed though.

  • Michmediaperson

    It's going to be interesting to see how the Liberals at CMU handle this. So far, so good.

    Here's why.

    Couple years ago, when a bi-partisan group of Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot initiative to end racism (code name: affirmative action), CMU and the other schools said they had to still keep the office because of federal guidelines.
    Of course, colleges and universities were ticked off that it passed since they're multiculturalists and the vast majority of state residents aren't.

    So, the state passes medical marijuana. If the Feds say no marijuana smoking on campus if you take federal monies, then you got to follow the federal guidelines.

    Just like with affirmative action, you got to follow the Feds.

    You can't pick and choose when you want to follow the Feds.

    CMU is doing the right thing in this case.

  • Ed_for_Freedom

    So what you are saying is… You are NOT going to SAY “We’re kicking you out,”…however…”you need to move off campus” But we aren't going to SAY “We’re kicking you out,”. And if we don't say it… Then, the oppression, denial of freedom, the discrimination, ignorant prejudice… Well it's “legit”.

    Is that what you are saying? Without saying of course.

  • chipskeptic

    What this really points out is the problem with accepting federal money of any kind for any purpose. After you accept it, then the feds can call tthe shots about other areas of your life, if you want to keep the money. If CMU were not accepting any federal money, then the Michigan law would then mean something on campus….but alas, it does not. Isn't it fun to be at the mercy of the feds?????