Feds demand Michigan provide records on medical marijuana patients
Flint- Jenna Lyons
A judge in Grand Rapids has ordered the state of Michigan to turn over medical marijuana records on several patients in the Lansing area.
The Department of Community Health previously refused to release information of medical marijuana users to federal investigators, citing patient confidentiality.
Friday’s ruling that medical marijuana records be handed over has advocates concerned. They say there are grey areas in the law, and fear that those following state law will get in trouble for violating federal law.
Richard and Cassandra Krause operate the Michigan Compassion center in Flint, and network with caregivers and patients to provide them with their medical marijuana needs.
They take the use of marijuana for medical purposes very seriously, and say they are doing everything they can to abide by the State of Michigan's medical marijuana laws.
“If a legal caregiver and patient have been given a right by the state and they abuse it in any way, I think that's really disrespectful to all of us. There are some very seriously ill people that need this," says Cassandra.
She says people need to be careful not to abuse their current rights.
"I think people need to understand this is a privilege we've been given by our state and we need to respect that," says Cassandra.
Cassandra suffers from a terminal illness that causes severe nausea and pain daily. She says medical marijuana is the only thing that controls her symptoms. Cassandra’s husband Richard says he watched her endure expensive and invasive treatments only caused her more complications, and medical marijuana has changed both of their lives.
“I believe she’s alive today because of it,” said Richard.
