I wrote an article on my personal Blog today and I would like to share it with you all. It is IMO important information that is needed by qualifying patients in Michigan. I noticed a forum below where this information is more applicable but, it is still under construction.

On the Frontline
"The War Room" hosted by Brown Dirt Warrior, a discussion room for news and information on the War of Legalization. (STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

I hope it is acceptable to reprint this here.

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Click here for: information about how to apply for the program

Application Forms and Instructions
Click here for: information about how to apply for the program ~ Application forms and instructions are not available at this time

Michigan Medical Marihuana Program
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP) is a state registry program within the Bureau of Health Professions at the Michigan Department of Community Health. The program will administer the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act as approved by Michigan voters on November 4, 2008. The program will implement the statutory tenants of this act in such a manner that protects the public and assures the confidentiality of its participants.
The MMMP is not currently operational. As required by state law, the program will be fully operational on April 4, 2009 (within 120 days from December 4, 2008). Please refer to this website for periodic program information updates and announcements regarding the date on which the program will be fully operational.
Program Status Update (2/20/2009) : The Bureau of Health Professions has revised the proposed administrative rules, based upon the comments received at the public hearing on January 5, 2009, and the written comments that were received. The revised proposed rules are now available for review under the Law and Rules category. This website currently contains some program information, and will be complete on or before April 4, 2009.

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Today is Monday, March 30, 2009 and the State of Michigan has yet to publish the necessary forms for patients to have signed by their physician so they can submit them to the state beginning on April 4, 2009.
I must wonder if this is a calculated move to stymie the implementation of this program or is the state so inept that they are unable to provide this form in a timely manner.

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Question: How do I register as a medical marihuana patient with the state?
Answer: "Qualifying patients" must register with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of Health Professions, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, Michigan 48909.

To register, the patient must submit (on forms provided by the department) the following information:
(a) an application or renewal fee;
(b) the name, address, and birth date of the qualifying patient;
(c) the name, address, and telephone number of the qualifying patent's physician;
(d) the name, address, and birth date of the qualifying patent's caregiver, if any.
(e) written certification that the person is a qualifying patient, which must be submitted directly to this office by the physician.

Question: What is the fee to apply for participation in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP)? Are there any circumstances under which the fee can be reduced?
Answer: The fee for a new or renewal application is $100.00, unless a qualifying patient can demonstrate his or her current eligibility in the Medicaid Health Plan or receipt of current SSI benefits, in which case the application fee is $25.00. The documentation required to be eligible for the reduced fee is outlined in the application instructions.

333.26429 Failure of department to adopt rules or issue valid registry identification card.

(c) If at any time after the 140 days following the effective date of this act the department is not accepting applications, including if it has not created rules allowing qualifying patients to submit applications, a notarized statement by a qualifying patient containing the information required in an application, pursuant to section 6(a)(3)-(6) together with a written certification, shall be deemed a valid registry identification card.

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The language found within 333.26429 - (c), appears to imply that if the State does not provide the means for a patient to submit an application by the close of the business day on April 4, 2009, a notarized statement shall be deemed a valid registry identification card.
While this clause is good news for persons such as myself, it also opens the door to many questionable applications which otherwise might be found lacking evidence to be deemed qualified.
I believe legally it would be deemed prudent in requiring the state to already have provided the forms in order to allow the patient three working days in which to have the forms in hand, present them to their physician and signed, sealed with enough time to be delivered on April 4, 2009.
I have a suggestion for my fellow Michigan citizens, if you are a qualifying patient, if you know a qualifying patient in the state of Michigan, obtain the necessary information, print it or scribble it in crayon if need be. Have that documentation signed and notarized TODAY.
And keep checking this link for further instructions.
MICHIGAN MEDICAL MARIHUANA ACT ~ Initiated Law 1 of 2008
Application Forms and Instructions
Click here for: information about how to apply for the program





Tags: sacred, obligation, compassion, people, medical, marijuana, medicinal, marihuana

I don't understand why there is a fee to try and get medical help...but anyways I hope all goes well in your state,, Why does it have to be so hard to get thru to these people

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Hello Debjt1957, I'm not sure what to make of it.
It does smack of arrogance and defiance on their part for making the process harder than necessary. I believe this will backfire on them due to the standard 'three business day' practice in contract and business laws.

I will be going this afternoon to hopefully pick up the waiting forms I printed weeks ago. They are only offered as a guideline which contains all the pertinent information requested. The problem comes in to play because the State mandates the only applications acceptable are those constructed by the State Agency, not simply providing the required information. It is this rule which will cause them trouble in complying under the law.

Richard, if there is anything I can do, just let me know.

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-Michael

Thank you Michael
Right now if you could help fellow patients in Michigan learn of this information, that would be a tremendous help.
There is so little information and misinformation about the implementation of this program, it's disgusting.
The media is useless and in cahoots with the state government regarding the lack of appropriate information.

Check these guys out:

Michigan Medical Marijuana Association | News and Information for Michigan's medical marijuana patients and caregivers

They seem to be doing it right. They are #1 in google for "Michigan medical marijuana". That doesn't happen by accident.

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-Michael

Oooooooooooo you don't know me well, do you ;>}
I don't think they would be of any assistance to me.
Thanks for the thought though !

Richard, I think you and I will get along beautifully.

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-Michael

Well folks, I guess this is a case of premature Blogging ;>}
The Forms have been uploaded this evening. I guess this covers them on that 3 business day thang !
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/md...9_272862_7.pdf

Man I am so bummed out.
I went to my doctor to pick up the form which he told me would be ready for me to mail in by April 4th. I assumed he meant I would actually have a signed form to mail in by April 4th but, today when I asked if it was ready I was handed instead an envelope which contained a letter. The contents read as follows:
Sincerely,
Dr Michael Fairbanks
205 S. Bradley Hwy.
Rogers City, MI 49779
PH. 989-734-2052
FAX 989-734-7390
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He calls it back pain, I call it having three vertebrae removed and replaced, twice. I have metal cages holding my neck together in both the front and the back. I take pain pills constantly when I do not have marijuana to supplement my pain management.
He is more than willing to give me as much prescribed drugs to control the pain yet, he is not "going to put myself in a position of making decisions of who does or does not deserve the use of medical marijuana".
He admits in this letter that "There certainly are individuals who probably could benefit from the use of medical marijuana" yet, seemingly doesn't feel I suffer enough from chronic pain to warrant treatment with this drug.
I have asked for all my records and told them to cancel me as a patient.
It isn't simply being denied marijuana but, the larger point that he doesn't seem to have any further answers to my plight besides prescribing pain pills for the rest of my life.
I guess now I will need to open up the phone book and find another doctor.
It's going to be very hard in this town seeing as there are only two doctors.

Richard, this just isn't fair. How can he decide if your pain is not chronic or not as painfull as it should be in order to allow your use of mmj? How can he write it and not figure it out for himself pain can't be measured by someone else. It is that simple.

Can you meet with him to discuss this or is it over for him? Could you not ask him for how many other pins you might need to get the job done? I know that sounded funny but maybe he might get that.

I was on 100's /mg/day oxycontin poison and now down to 25% strength because of mmj. I hope you can convince him please stay strong and calm.

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I'm sorry to hear this news - but, not surprised. You can blame your doctor all you want. But, the real blame lies much farther up the food chain. He is only reacting to pressure - just like you are. Your pressure is pain and his is the possibility of throwing away his career and living in disgrace. I can't fault either of you. It's the gov't that's doing this to us all.

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-Michael

I am so sorry,, it is like being just brushed aside because they just don't know how to deal with it. I too have been trying to educate myself on how to go about being able to legally use mmj instead of the pain pills that they hand out so willingly, I vision myself being treated the same as you and that discourages me, but what do we do when the side affects of the pills are killing us... I wish all good things happening with your struggle to be free of pain, it is something we should be able to deside whats best for ourselves, if it was a perfect world we would be praised for wanting to get off the pills so's to live a healthier more natural life

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there will be other doctors that are more knowledgeable of the benefits of mmj and aren't afraid for appearance sake

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Anywhere MMJ is made legal, the pot docs are on the next flight there. Maybe go see one of them, when they show up.

You can be as upset as you like about the system. But, that doesn't pay the rent. Just find another way to take care of your business. Be persistent and don't become discouraged because one doc didn't see things your way. Keep your eye on the prize and push forward through the emotional and physical pain.

Intestinal fortitude, gentlemen. That's what it takes to survive and thrive - plain old guts.

I think I should say, clearly, that this is meant to be motivational - not condescending. I hope I haven't crossed that line. It's not my intention.

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-Michael

Hello everyone, yes I was quite disappointed.
Especially the way he went about it.
First when I gave him the paper work to review he seemed open to at least reviewing them. Then my next appointment he told me I could pick up the form in time to mail it in to the state.
Then I'm handed a letter by a receptionist.

Well, I have sent my records to THCF clinic and they are planning a visiting clinic up north in Houghton Lake which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive. Far closer than Southfield (about 350miles).
I'm waiting for them to write me back on the cost so I can save it from my SSDI check this month. There standard fee is $200 but, I've been told they have a sliding scale for poor people so that might help.
I certainly can't afford $200 out of my check. I've been broke for the past week and all my food is gone until I get my check on the 3rd.
I did here the Fed Gov is sending out a one-time $250 check to all SS recipients in May so that will help.

Thursday, March 26, 2009 http://www.ssa.gov/
Vice President Biden Announces $250 Recovery Payments
to Go to Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries in May
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/recovery-payments-pr.htm

For more detailed information about the $250 one-time economic recovery payments, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/payment

I may just use this stimulus check to buy some good lights ;>}