Posts made in January, 2014

Michigan SB736: Bad for Parents

Posted in Blog

Michigan SB736: Bad for Parents

In Michigan, State Senator Rick Jones has introduced SB736.  The text in summary: Michigan parents who are also medical marijuana patients should be investigated and determined by CPS and/or family court whether they can actually parent, required to release their medical records in perpetuity, forced into a medical evaluation by a court-appointed doctor, and be forced to stop cannabis medication or be constantly watched if allowed to remain a patient (as well as “any other order necessary”).  Full text of the bill is here. Most of the parts of SB736 line up with what already exists in Michigan laws and policies about CPS and medical marijuana (see: our state profile).  Which is to say, it is already true that medical marijuana patient parents are investigated to determine if they are non-neglectful and non-abusive (or at future risk of such), forced to stop their medication in the context of a service plan, etc.  There just hasn’t been an attempt to codify it in quite this manner and to this extent. This has a history.  State Senator Rick Jones made an inquiry to AG Schuette on application of the protections in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act to CPS proceedings, about which an advisory opinion was released in May 2013.  That opinion didn’t have the force of law, but can be considered by courts deciding novel legal issues.  Evidently this legislator took it upon himself to introduce a bill on the basis of some the answers he received from AG Schuette; answers which largely equated to Michigan’s parent-protective provision not really providing much protection. However, State Senator Jones actually goes against parts of the opinion.  The Attorney General  does not give room for a family court doctor giving their take on a patient’s status — CPS and juvenile court may not determine who is a patient or a caregiver.  It also seems as if he is attempting to reduce the burden of proof and evidence required to determine if a parent’s behavior poses an unreasonable danger to the child.  Additionally, since medical marijuana is against federal law, it cannot be prescribed as it erroneously states in the text of SB736.  Medical marijuana can only be recommended by qualifying physicians in any state which has an active medical marijuana program.   Keep in mind this bill was only just introduced, and has a long way to go before it passes anything, much less becomes law.  I would urge Michigan residents whose State Senators are on the Judiciary Committee to contact them and ask them to oppose this...

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Cannabis Research & Media

Posted in Blog

Cannabis Research & Media

The course of this past week saw the completion of a major update to our Cannabis Research section.  New peer-reviewed clinical studies have been added to all existing pages (Prenatal Exposure, Breastfeeding, Environmental Exposure, and Medical Marijuana).  We have also added several new pages of resources — Drug Testing & Reporting, Pediatric Medicinal Cannabis, and Miscellaneous!  We always provide links to the abstracts or full texts where available. We have a new Media section as well.  You can now find our Writing here, as well as Video & Audio from our appearances and interviews, Links to where FLCA has been mentioned around the web, and which will serve as a repository for our Press...

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Videos from the DPA Reform Conference in Denver!

Posted in Blog

Weren’t able to attend the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) 2013 International Reform Conference in Denver this past October? Sad to miss FLCA co-founders Sara Arnold (aka Sahra Kant) & Jess Cochrane on the CPS and family court panel? Want to watch it at home? Now you can! On Saturday, October 26, 2013 both FLCA co-founders, Sara Arnold (aka Sahra Kant) and Jess Cochrane, participated in “Overlooked Punishment: The Drug War’s Insidious Reach Beyond the Criminal Justice System” panel with Dr. Carl Hart of Columbia University, Emma Ketteringham of Bronx Defenders, Dr. Kay Teel of University of Colorado School of Medicine, and moderated by Lynn Paltrow of National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW).   Q&A following  Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) 2013 Reform Conference “Overlooked Punishment: The Drug War’s Insidious Reach Beyond the Criminal Justice System” panel.  Questions are from attendees including activists, grandparents, hospital administrators, a Texas judge, and more. Check them out!...

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