Attorney general wants medical marijuana law changes

State Attorney General Bill Schuette is backing proposed changes to Michigan’s voter-enacted medical marijuana law. He says it’s been “hijacked” by people trying to make money, rather than offering relief to people facing terminal disease or a painful chronic illness.

Schuette says the result of a poorly written ballot initiative is the proliferation of shops that make a business of selling marijuana to people with easy-to-acquire medical cards.

 “And people say, 'I voted for this law, but I did not vote to have pot shops across from my church or my schools.' People say, 'I voted for this law, but I did not vote for marijuana farms to have pot as Michigan’s biggest cash crop.'”

Law enforcement officials say there is a growing problem with people driving under the influence of marijuana, and break-ins and assaults at dispensaries.

The proposed changes include sanctions for doctors who prescribe marijuana to people who don’t have a real medical condition; banning dispensaries near schools and churches; and requiring photograph on medical marijuana cards.