NORML Holds Second Meeting In Ironwood

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, November 20, 2009 - by Keri L. Singleton - They came, some cautiously, slowly, somewhat slinking up to the door, ages between thirty to mid-seventies, wide-eyed, timid, obviously expecting Police, or, at the very least, Memorial Building security, hired just for the evening. Nothing of the sort transpired last Thursday evening. What people found, approximately twenty of them, was fellowship, understanding, compassion, acceptance, and valuable information regarding Michigan’s New Medicinal Marijuana Law, and how to go through the process of obtaining a card. As of April, when the law took effect, MDCH (Michigan Department of Community Health), expected approximately five thousand people across the state to apply in the first year of the new law coming into affect; however, currently they have upwards of ten thousand applications to process. It is said to be around two months before cards are being received, from time of mailing in the doctor’s recommendation to Lansing.

The meeting was approximately one hour long, led by two members of UP NORML. The crowd quickly warmed up when it dawned on them that they were safe, what they were doing is legal. Now, thanks to the good voting people of Michigan, a qualifying patient can legally possess up to two and a half ounces of usable marijuana, and grow up to twelve plants. Removing the illegal stigma of such a helpful, therapeutic plant is going to take some time, but thankfully in Michigan, people now have a chance to benefit from the many values associated with cannabis

. Information about the qualifying process, growing marijuana, caregiver information (a patient may have someone else grow usable marijuana for them), and local law enforcement’s view on the subject, were all topics discussed at the meeting. Some qualifying conditions include, but are not limited to: cancer, glaucoma, Crohn’s Disease, Hepatitis C, AIDS, nail patella, and chronic pain, chronic pain being defined as being treated by a physician or chiropractor for at least ninety days for the same pain. The patient must submit supporting medical documentation, verifying the condition, pay the $200.00 fee, and can obtain an appointment through UP NORML. Once a patient has an appointment and qualifies, the paperwork, including physician recommendation, and a yearly fee of $100.00 ($25.00 for people with verifiable disability income, i.e.: Social Security), gets sent in to the state of Michigan, and, if not denied, a patient can expect their card in approximately four to eight weeks. The Doctor currently handling patients through UP NORML is Dr. Bob Kenewell, and he can be contacted through Northbluff Chiropractic at (906-428-2225 or 906-225-9999).

Keri Singleton is a Mother, Grandmother, wife, animal lover, free-lance writer, volunteer, online activist, dealing with everything from informed consent regarding vaccinations, to the destruction of the world’s rainforests, to legalizing hemp production. She is a twice published poet, former Marine and Deputy Sheriff, who is currently writing an autobiography dealing with informing others about natural health, and how it saved her life, taking personal responsibility, and finding one’s true purpose, and the journey she took to get there.