News
National Patients’ Rights Association Opposes House Bill 5681 As A Result Of Potential Risks To Caregiver System
DETROIT, June 11, 2012 —The National Patients’ Rights Association (NPRA)—a Michigan-based alliance of leading medical marijuana advocates working to protect patient rights—today announced opposition to a proposed administrative change to the public health code that could negatively impact patients and caregivers. House Bill 5681, introduced under the guise of helping ensure the quality and purity of medical marijuana, would essentially lead to the equivalent of a big box retailer opening next door to a small family- owned business.
“HB 5681 is simply an attempt by corporate enterprise to completely undermine the spirit of Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act by changing various structures of the law in a manner that could harm patients and caregivers,” said NPRA spokesman Adam Macdonald. “While we agree with the general spirit of quality standards and testing options for medical marijuana, we completely disagree with how these changes have been proposed. In fact, all of the proposed quality measures have already been clearly addressed in the HB 5580 that was just introduced by Representative Mike Callton on May 1, 2012. We urge Representative John Walsh of the House Judiciary Committee to take action on HB 5580 as we feel in concept, it is definitely in the right direction and ultimately puts patients ahead of large scale drug companies.”
HB 5681 is fundamentally flawed. The proposed changes attempt to regulate medical marijuana as a “pharmaceutical grade” medicine as opposed to the herbal plant, which is what Michigan voters approved. This proposed action is completely inaccurate because medical marijuana is a natural plant, opposed to an isolated substance (such as the drug dronabinol). The US Pharmacopeia (USP) publishes official monographs for certain substances, including specific assay methods and product specifications to assure identity and potency. Material that is tested by these methods to meet those specifications is then eligible to be called “pharmaceutical grade,” or USP (http://www.usp.org/aboutUSP). Many natural ingredients, such as the whole marijuana plant, do not have published USP monographs, so cannot be called USP grade, since no USP specifications or standards exist to test against.
“We have already watched a very similar strategy play out in the dietary supplement industry in which the pharmaceutical businesses have continued trying to put manufacturers out of business, drastically raise costs, and limit access by lobbying for regulation that requires them to have the same quality control as medical drugs,” said Macdonald. “Unfortunately, this time, it is patients and caregivers they are looking to ‘put out business,’ raise costs on, and limit access.
“HB 5681 also would allow a foreign business enterprise to participate in the Michigan Medical Marijuana program. Not only would any potential revenue leave Michigan, it wouldn’t even stay in the United States. If a foreign entity wants to grow medical marijuana for pharmaceutical companies to make prescription drugs, that’s fine, but HB 5580 and the current caregiver system can more than adequately satisfy the needs of patients.”
The NPRA is backed by patients, caregivers, businesses and a range of other supporters. Collectively, the coalition is working to broaden awareness, reach legislators in a targeted manner, and help mobilize patients and caregivers who are affected by current and proposed medical marijuana laws. A key objective of the coalition is a push for definitive regulation in terms of standardization — ranging from safety and storage needs, document management requirements, privacy, and overall industry standards and procedures.
For more information please visit: www.nprausa.com. You can also call 1-855-444-6772 for information on how to contact your state representative.
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National Patients’ Rights Association Analyzing Michigan House Bill 5580 And Will Make Formal Recommendations To Lansing
DETROIT, May 16, 2012 —The National Patients Rights Association (NPRA)—a Michigan-based alliance of leading medical marijuana advocates working to protect patient rights—today announced it is in the process of a thorough analysis of Michigan House Bill 5580 (creating new act for state and local regulation of marihuana dispensaries) and will provide formal recommendations and opinion in the coming weeks.
Specifically, the NPRA is studying the HB 5580 as it relates to patient access, public policy, law enforcement, municipal management, and licensing and regulatory affairs.The NPRA is working to carefully analyze HB 5580 in order to:
- Provide a broader platform for discussing, collaborating, and acting on long-term priorities that directly impact medical marijuana patients in the State of Michigan
- Bring a wider perspective to making progressive public policy changes as it relates to medical marijuana and patient access, and
- To provide Michigan medical marijuana patients a response to proposed legislation that impacts safe access
The NPRA is backed by patients, caregivers, businesses and a range of other supporters. Collectively, the coalition is working to broaden awareness, reach legislators in a targeted manner, and help mobilize patients and caregivers who are affected by current and proposed medical marijuana laws. A key objective of the coalition is a push for definitive regulation in terms of standardization — ranging from safety and storage needs, document management requirements, privacy, and overall industry standards and procedures. For more information please visit: www.nprausa.com. You can also call 1-855-444-6772 for information on how to contact your state representative.
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National Patients’ Rights Association Seeks Input On Michigan Medical Marijuana Policy As It Relates To Dispensaries
DETROIT, April 25, 2012 – The National Patients’ Rights Association (NPRA) — a Michigan-based coalition of leading medical marijuana advocates working to protect patient rights — today announced it is seeking input from both members and all other interested parties to identify and discuss practical legislative framework that specifically addresses formally legalized medical marijuana dispensaries in the state of Michigan.
According to the NPRA, more than three years after Michigan voters approved the medicinal use of cannabis, patients in many parts of the state still have no safe access to it. Those seeking to contribute thoughts and ideas should indicate their interest by emailing: info@NPRAusa.com or by calling 855-444-6772.
“Our goal is to create a spirited dialogue between all interested parties and seek constructive input for potential marijuana dispensary legislation that could finally provide clarity to the public, to law enforcement officials, and to medical marijuana patients,” said Farmington Hills, Mich., attorney and NPRA spokesperson Robert Mullen. ”We take the approach that Michigan needs to honor the wishes of its voters when it comes to medical marijuana and appropriately regulate its use and access. Specifically addressing a fully-legalized medical marijuana dispensary model fills a need that would directly benefit individuals who do not have the physical ability to cultivate medical-quality cannabis at home or have access to a caregiver.”
The NPRA is backed by patients, caregivers, businesses, and a range of other supporters. Collectively, the coalition is working to broaden awareness, reach legislators in a targeted manner, and help mobilize patients and caregivers who are affected by current and proposed medical marijuana laws. A key objective of the coalition is a push for definitive regulation in terms of standardization — ranging from safety and storage needs, document management requirements, privacy, and overall industry standards and procedures.
Background, news media coverage and links to other resources are available at the National Patients’ Rights Association website: www.nprausa.com . You can also call 1-855-444-6772 for information on how to contact your state representative or senator.
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National Patients’ Rights Association Opposes Privacy Change to Michigan Medical Marihuana Act
DETROIT, April 17, 2012 – The National Patients Rights Association (NPRA)—a Michigan-based alliance of leading medical marijuana advocates working to protect patient rights—today announced strong opposition to proposed legislative changes to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act that would directly violate patients’ and caregivers’ civil and constitutional rights, privileges and protections.
Specifically, it opposes Michigan House Bill’s 4851, 4853, and 4856. The NPRA also strongly opposes HB 4834, which is sponsored by Gail Haines - (primary) Joe Haveman, Ed McBroom, Ray Franz, Kenneth Horn, Brad Jacobsen, Peter MacGregor, Marty Knollenberg, Jon Bumstead, Wayne A. Schmidt, Ben Glardon, Paul Opsommer, Greg MacMaster, Chuck Moss, Matt Huuki, Hugh D. Crawford, Eileen Kowall, Lesia Liss, Kurt Heise, Kevin Cotter, and Sharon Tyler. Under the proposed legislation, the most troubling, HB 4834, will allow officers or security personnel to easily gain access to the registry without a warrant, as is currently required. Patient and caregiver information would no longer be strictly confidential, and their private medical treatment choice will be available to a near endless list of authorized officials, including security personnel or recreation officers hired by the State or local townships.
The NPRA strongly believes that every aspect of an individual’s health information should be equally governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which provides nationally recognized regulations for the use/disclosure of an individual’s health information.
“We are extremely discouraged by the thought process behind this proposed legislation,” said NPRA spokesman, Adam Macdonald. “It becomes very problematic and dangerous when elected representatives begin a process of selecting what portions of an individual’s private health care information should now become readily accessibly. As with all health care information, safeguards must exist to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of protected information.”
The NPRA is backed by patients, caregivers, businesses and a range of other supporters. Collectively, the coalition is working to broaden awareness, reach legislators in a targeted manner, and help mobilize patients and caregivers who are affected by current and proposed medical marijuana laws. A key objective of the coalition is a push for definitive regulation in terms of standardization — ranging from safety and storage needs, document management requirements, privacy, and overall industry standards and procedures.
For more information please visit: www.nprausa.com. You can also call 1-855-444-6772 for information on how to contact your state representative.
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DETROIT, February 3, 2012 — A new Michigan-based medical marijuana coalition —The National Patients Rights Association (NPRA) — has been formed by some of the nation’s leading medical marijuana advocates to protect patient rights. The group will encourage legislators, prosecutors, and local governments to fully honor the decision of voters that enacted laws to legalize medical marijuana in 16 states and the nation’s capital. Michigan, whose Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) passed by nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) in 2008, will be among the first states targeted through the NPRA’s efforts.
The NPRA is backed by patients, caregivers, businesses, and a range of other supporters. Collectively, the coalition will work to broaden awareness, reach legislators in a targeted manner, and help mobilize patients and caregivers who are affected by these laws. A key objective of the coalition is a push for definitive regulation in terms of standardization — ranging from safety and storage needs, document management requirements, privacy, and overall industry standards and procedures.
According to the NPRA, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette should not circumvent or undermine state laws for the sake of personal beliefs and should honor the will of Michigan voters by helping make implementation of the medicinal marijuana law clearer for all involved parties. The NPRA believes the Michigan attorney general is:
• Consuming vital public resources by turning medical issues into criminal ones — all the way through our criminal justice system, from police officer to investigator to prosecutor’s offices to our court system
• Politicizing what are societal discussions and decisions regarding how we conduct and administer health care in our society
• Forcing ordinary citizens, many of whom suffer agonizing chronic or constant pain and other serious diseases and disabilities clearly defined by the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, to turn to unsafe and unsavory sources for marijuana
• Encouraging the current climate of enforcement in many individual jurisdictions, which has had a silencing or inhibiting impact on ethical Michigan medical practitioners (and their medical insurers)
• Leading to patients being prescribed much more dangerous (in terms of addiction and side effects), more expensive and less effective therapeutic agents
Legitimate business activity
The NPRA points out that the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act approved in 2008 by Michigan voters has helped to diversify the state’s economy and subsequently created a new class of entrepreneurs to serve it — many of these business owners understand that participating in the state economy means paying their fair share of taxes. The NPRA believes that Michigan should consider taxation similar to Colorado. In that state, medical marijuana dispensaries pay sales tax on all transactions, including other retail products they sell. The dispensaries also must apply for a license to operate and pay application fees. These fees fund Colorado’s medical marijuana enforcement division, which regulates the industry.
“The reality is that not all patients and their caregivers have the interest, resources or skills to carefully grow therapeutic-grade medical marijuana. These patients need safe access to medical marijuana that meets the therapeutic objectives of their licensed health care practitioners,” said Paul Tylenda, a Grosse Pointe attorney. “The Colorado model combines maximal benefit for patients, tax revenue generation and appropriate regulation of the program.”
Northern Lights Hydroponic & Garden Supply in Madison Heights, Mich., — offering a complete line of hydroponic, indoor and outdoor gardening supplies — is one example of a local business that has significantly grown its customer base as a direct result of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. Having served the area for more than 16 years as Jim’s Flowers, the company recently expanded its operations by taking over an 8,000-square-foot retail space that had been sitting vacant for more than four years.
“Medical marijuana has been beneficial to my horticulture business, because it has allowed me to add income year round,” said Joe Alfery, co-owner of Northern Lights. “I also take pride in the fact that since our business has expanded into a once empty building, we have helped play a role in both the beautification of our community as well as become a larger tax contributor to our state.”
Background, news media coverage and links to other resources are available at the National Patients’ Rights Association website: www.nprausa.com. You can also call 1-855-444-6772 for information on how to contact your state representative or senator.