By Steve Elliott
Hemp News
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on Monday signed a new law that would allow the state to certify "pharmaceutical-grade cannabis," but the law can't take effect unless and until the federal government reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug, suitable for medicinal use.
Medical marijuana has been legal since voters approved an initiative legalizing it back in 2008, but remains illegal for any purpose under federal law, reports Jonathan Oosting at MLive.com. The Obama Administration, however, has pledged to respect state marijuana laws.
Senate Bill 660, which is now Public Act 268 of 2013, provides the framework for Michigan to regulate large-scale cannabis growers and sell marijuana in pharmacies if the federal government recategorizes it in the future.
The "pharmaceutical-grade" marijuana registry would not replace Michigan's current medical marijuana law, which uses a patient-caregiver model, according to its backers, but patients would have to give up their current medical marijuana cards if they want to participate.
