House Bill 5580 is an attempt to clarify dispensary regulations in Michigan. The bill that oddly refers to dispensaries as "provisioning centers" is a common sense approach at regulating a very legal distribution model and currently the most popular means for patients in Michigan to receive the medicine. Unfortunately, it is our stance the proposed bill presented by House Representative Mike Callton (R), will have little chance at passing the house. With 75% approval needed, the divisive issue of medical marijuana in Michigan, and dispensaries in particular, will not gain necessary support. The bill, while artfully crafted, has far too much "meat" for opponents of both parties to pick at.

Often we are asked by patients across Michigan the same question, can we drive with our medicine? This is important when leaving the dispensary, transporting live plants or when caregivers deliver patients the medicine.

There is current legislation (HB 4856 summarized below) that stands a chance of getting to Governor Snyders desk for a ready signature. The bill around driving with marijuana appears to be a common sense approach and gives us clarification around the issue, despite the double standard marijuana has over other medicine.

Many brave men and women who have risked their lives in service to our country are now suffering from physical, mental health, and substance abuse problems. We have an obligation to care for our military families and veterans and to improve their lives by increasing access to vital treatment services specifically geared toward our military heroes. While the Administration continues to support research on what parts of the marijuana plant may be used as medicine, neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the Institute of Medicine has found smoked marijuana to meet the modern standard of safe or effective medicine. We will continue working with our partners in the medical community to ensure that veterans have access to science-based medical treatments and get the help they and their families need.

For those seeking information on the effects of various medical marijuana strains over the internet, get ready for a lot of information, possibly too much information. With the marijuana industry in its infancy there are not many user friendly sites that explain products well or their effects. There are many gardening and "marijuana culture" blogs for those in the know that allow them to share trade secrets or technical jargon, not exactly a place for the layperson.

In yet another tyrranical interpretation from our ever predictable Michigan Court of Appeals, the "somewhat high" court determined that patients are not allowed to drive a vehicle, even while they are not under the influences of marijuana. This court panel is led by the same rotten apples that have brought other "terribly biased" opinions and has led to increased attacks on patients.

Justice goes to the highest bidder in the Michigan Court of Appeals. This decision undoubtedly deserves another look and will most likely be ignored by the majority of Michigan prosecutors, except the likes of Oakland County's Jessica Cooper. Perhaps our patient cards will one day double as a bus pass.

Unorganized-independent-medical-marijuana-growers and caregivers that meet at "farmers market" or have mobile delivery services and sell to patients the medicine want to know, "are we legal to do this?"

Michigan cancer patient whose eviction from her federally subsidized apartment -- for using medical marijuana -- was halted after an outcry in 2009 now faces homelessness again.

Lori Montroy, 52, of Elk Rapids, got another eviction notice last month at the apartment where she has lived since 2008, reports Patrick Sullivan at Northern Express.