Marijuana decriminalization in Grand Rapids withstands legal challenge
The decision of Grand Rapids voters to decriminalize marijuana possession by amending the city charter will remain undisturbed, now that the Michigan Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to the law’s constitutionality. In 2012, more than half of Grand Rapids voters amended the city charter and made marijuana possession a civil infraction, with fines ranging from $25 to $100. But Kent County Prosecutor Bill Forsyth challenged the amendment, claiming that voters could
Medical marijuana user can be prosecuted for smoking in parked car
A registered medical marijuana user who smoked marijuana in his own car while the car was parked in a public parking lot was not entitled to the protections or defenses afforded by the Medical Marihuana Act, the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled. The Court of Appeals published decision in People v. Carlton reversed the rulings of both the circuit and district courts, which had dismissed the marijuana possession charges that were brought against the defendant. The defendant
East Lansing Voters Permit Possession of Marijuana
65% of East Lansing voters voted to legalizes the possession, use and transfer of up to an ounce of marijuana on private property as long as the individual is 21 years or older. However, this is not a total "legalization" within the city limits. It is still illegal to consuming marijuana in public and unless someone is complying with Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act, it is still illegal to deliver or transfer marijuana in East Lansing. This will undoubtedly create some ques
WLNS News Turns to Matt Newburg to Discuss Medical Marijuana
(WLNS) – Lawmakers are still considering measures to define the future of medical marijuana in Michigan. Legislation discussed in the senate Wednesday aims to eliminate some of the legal gray areas, but critics say lawmakers are focusing on the wrong issues. Medical marijuana in the state of Michigan has a complicated track record. It was approved for medical use by voters in 2008, but dispensaries became illegal under a 2013 Supreme Court case. Yet we still see them in Michi
Michigan Supreme Court takes on Medical Marijuana
January 14, 2015 will be, perhaps the biggest day in the Michigan Supreme Court for Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Patients and Caregivers. The Court will hear a total of three cases that discuss Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act and the defenses that are embodied within the statute. The two cases that discuss the heart of Section 4 and Section 8 are Hartwick and Tuttle: People v Richard Lee Hartwick/ People v Tuttle: Richard Hartwick, was arrested for illegally growing and po
Michigan Court of Appeals reverses Tuscola County Medical Marijuana Convictions
On January 13, 2015 the Michigan Court of Apppeals, in an unpublished opinion finally held what Newburg Law attorneys have been saying for years. There is absolutely no weight restrictions contained in Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act for “drying” marijuana. In doing so, the Michigan Court of appeals reversed the convictions of Johnnie Randall. After a bench trial (a trial in front of the Judge and not a jury) Mr. Randall was convicted of Possession of marijuana and unlawf