By Craig Covey
After raids last month by Oakland County against medical marijuana facilities and homes, Sheriff Bouchard at his press conference reportedly quipped, "This is not a Cheech and Chong movie." He was right in that his actions were not representative of a light-hearted comedy. A better comparison might be the 1937 propaganda film "Reefer Madness," with hysterical officials warning about the deadly menace of marijuana. As the dozens of cases from these raids now wind through our courts, it's time for rational discussion about marijuana.
Voters overwhelmingly voted to decriminalize marijuana for persons with medical issues and who obtained recommendations from physicians. Opponents are unhappy with this result and claim that the voters were duped. But in a democracy, the voters are "the deciders." It's not officials' prerogative to decide what voters "meant;" rather it's their duty to follow instructions. Elected officials can be disappointed with elections, but woe to those who thwart the will of the people. Authority comes from voters.
The Michigan Department of Community Health says more than 55,000 Michigan residents have applied for medical marijuana permits. Each has seen a physician and sent the state $100 to process their request. While the state cashes that check right away, there is a seven-month wait to get the permit. Meanwhile the state has received five million dollars under this program.
Ferndale residents voted three times to legalize medical marijuana. City council determined areas to be zoned for facilities where physicians and others could counsel, prescribe, and/or dispense marijuana. For two months the facility functioned well, with no problems or complaints. According to our police officials, there was no rise in criminal activity in the area.
Two days after Ferndale voted these zoning areas for medical marijuana, sheriff's deputies and narcotics enforcement officers swooped down on homes and businesses across the county, including our little storefront in Ferndale. The raids featured masked officers in full swat team uniforms, snarling dogs, and drawn weapons. Elderly patients, nurses, and business owners were thrown to the ground, handcuffed and arrested. Perhaps helicopters buzzed overhead in case someone with severe arthritis or muscular dystrophy tried to make a run for it.
A very disturbing aspect of the raids was the confiscation of patient's private medical records. Ignoring the federal rules on HIPPA, which protects patient privacy, our Sheriff stated that he didn't think marijuana was a proper medication for someone with back or shoulder pain. With all due respect, he should leave medical diagnoses and medication prescriptions to doctors.
State law governing medical pot was not written well. It is unclear and causing consternation among local officials. But had state leaders done their job, we wouldn't have had a citizen-led effort to force their issue. Now law enforcement officials are using their assets to send the political message that they don't approve of the law. They're dealing with marijuana in the only way they know how – as a dangerous narcotic no different than meth or heroin.
We do have serious drug problems, including a growing number of addictions to legal pain-killers such as Vicodin and Oxycotin. But it's doubtful that fighting this epidemic should see raids on the local CVS.
With dwindling resources, law enforcement should focus on the serious crimes that put residents in true danger. Focus on burglary, auto theft, robberies, and violent crimes. Fight serious drugs like heroin, meth, and cocaine. Send all the political messages you want, with lobbying, petitions, and letter-writing. Spending hundreds of thousands of dollars raiding legal reefer is madness.
