House Committee votes to outsource processing of patient applications for Michigan's Medical Marijuana program

The Friends of Cushingberry
by Richard C. Clement
TFOC Blogger


June 28, 2010

The House Intergovernmental and Oversight committee met on Thursday June 24, 2010 to make an executive decision on the status of the Michigan Medical Marijuana program. The goal of the meeting was to take action to address the problem of a 120 day backlog for processing applications to the Michigan Medical Marijuana program. Currently there are over 22,000 new applications that are affected by this dilemma.


The committee unanimously voted to outsource the process of new and renewal applications and place them out to the lowest bidder. This action was taken because participants in the program are being subjected to arrest and persecution because of the delay in processing applications and a lack of technology resources to get the job done. The next move is to appear before the Michigan Senate to start the process of letting bids go out to the public for the job. The date certain for this system to become operational is September 15, 2010 @ 7am.


This action was taken despite the lack of support from the Attorney General Office. For the last 4 or 5 meetings Attorney General Mike Cox or a designated representative did not appear before the committee after being asked to do so. This act of blatant insubordination by the Attorney General’s office was handled by a unanimous vote by the committee members in support of outsourcing the Information Technology. The Attorney General is supposed to be the lawyer for the people and while they were sitting on the sidelines, the appropriations committee outran them to the goal line. If this was a track meet Attorney General Mike Cox would be at the starting line tying his shoes while the rest of the pack has left the starting line and are in a full sprint mode.


The representative from MDCH voiced the department’s objection to outsourcing by saying that things were working fine. The actions of law enforcement agencies give a different picture of how things are working. Since the law has been passed, there have been numerous arrests, seizure of property, and general harassment from local and county law enforcement agencies. In Lansing MI a woman’s home was condemned and property destroyed when she was arrested by the Ingham County Sheriff and Lansing Police Department officials. To make matters worse the City of Lansing decided to condemn the property because of an out of date water heater and pre 1960’s water lines in the home. The home is not a typical slumlord home in a neighborhood, this home is well kept and in great shape by the owner. The neighborhood is a middle class working type of place where people have professional and well paying jobs. These actions by the Law Enforcement Agencies and the City Inspector of Lansing MI are designed to further harass the homeowner and cause financial hardship to her.



This is not the time for the Attorney General to cut and run like a bunch of cowards on the issue of Medical Marijuana. This is no time for administrative treason by the Attorney General to insert their own agenda instead of working for the people. Innocent and law abiding citizens shall not be abused by law enforcement agencies interpreting different rules for Marijuana as opposed to other civil actions. It has taken the leadership of Chairman Cushingberry to provide the leadership and direction that is totally lacking in the Attorney General’s office.


Our friend George is a true servant to the people of his house district and the citizens of the State of Michigan. He spends many hours off the radar fighting for his constituents. Serving the constituents in the 8th district is a 24 hour job, and a job that he loves very much. We would love to see him be successful in the campaign for State Senate. Representative Cushingberry loves to hear from you and, if you have any questions or concerns on this and other matters, please leave them on our blog so that some action can be taken and the incident documented. Finally, if you have been arrested and convicted as a valid Michigan Medical Marijuana patient, please leave your information on our blog so that we can document and if possible, rectify the abuse or refer you to legal resources.

Attorney General is a No-Show before the House Intergovernmental and Oversight Committee on Med. Marijuana

The Friends of Cushingberry
June 21, 2010
By Richard C. Clement T.F.O.C. Blogger


The House Intergovernmental and Oversight Committee conducted a hearing on June 18, 2010 regarding the Michigan Medical Marijuana law. The purpose of this hearing was to hear an official and written opinion from the Attorney General’s office on the procedure for State Judges and law enforcement agencies to follow. County prosecutors are having a field day interpreting the law because it is confusing to them and, they can’t conduct business as usual on Marijuana possession arrests. Legitimate growers are being victimized by Law Enforcement, and others who have over the legal limit allowed by law. Revenues are down so much in county jails that in Ingham County Michigan, Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth attempted to put a millage on the ballot that was sent down in flames by the Ingham County Commission with a resounding NO vote.



When the Attorney General failed to appear, the chairman gave a presentation on the benefits of legalization and taxation of Marijuana in the State of Michigan. He talked about the benefits of research into Marijuana being used as a replacement to many of the common drugs. Extensive research by Dr. H. Westley Clark was cited as a basis for state schools, colleges, and universities to do serious study into the benefits of the plant. Dr. Clarke is Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He is responsible for leading the agency's national effort to provide effective and accessible treatment to all Americans with addictive disorders. (Click Here for Dr. Clark's Bio)


The chairman enlightened the attendees reminding us on the purpose of House Joint Resolution #62. This is a resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to repeal the federal Controlled Substances Act and allow all scheduled drugs to be regulated at the state level. Sponsored by Representatives George Cushingberry - (primary) Robert Dean, Fred Durhal, Lee Gonzales, Vincent Gregory, Robert Jones, Michael Lahti, Gabe Leland, Roy Schmidt and, Justin Amash, this resolution if enacted would generate a positive cash flow for the State. With this legislation, the Obama administration has been put on notice that the residents of Michigan favor change in the Federal Controlled Substances Act regarding Marijuana. This bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee awaiting action.


Mr. Cushingberry also cited the recent ballot issue before the Detroit voters this November allowing the use of one ounce or less of Marijuana on private property in the City of Detroit. Although despised by Mayor Bing and others, the issue has a very good chance becoming the law in the City of Detroit. As our friend George said to the audience, ”there are weeds growing in Detroit that are taller than him”. There seems to be an abundance of land in Detroit where the grass has not been cut and weeds are erupting out of the ground daily. The growing of Industrial Grade hemp in some of these empty fields would generate income to the city just like a property tax would. In World War II, the State of Michigan grew hemp rope for the US Navy in Cass County and Southwestern Michigan. Industrial Grade Hemp can be also used for fiber, fuel, foods with some products currently being sold in stores like Kroger and Meijer.


One option being reviewed is the use of plant tags and site licenses issued by the Department of Treasury. These actions would generate a credit balance in the Sales Use Withholding account for the State of Michigan. A plant tag would be required for each of your 12 plants and a site license would be given people with 5 patients to grow 72 or more plants as a collective.

With the non-appearance of the Attorney General before the committee, a subpoena may be issued to them in the future to compel them to appear before the commission for the good will of the people. They have been asked repeatedly to appear no avail while legitimate people are being arrested because of a lack of leadership from the AG’s office and county prosecutors who have very little guidelines to follow.

In summarizing this article the issue of the delay in processing the cards and adding additional qualifying medical conditions are a pressing priority with participants in the program. None of these issues have been addressed and are being held up by the non-appearance by the A.G. By continuing to allow MDCH to miss the 20 day processing requirement this question must be answered. How long would it take for the application process to be “caught up” to the 20 day processing requirement as stated by law? This is turning into a paperwork BP oil backlog for the Department of Community Health. This is leaving the State liable for delays and open to lawsuits with interest and penalties, similar to what a taxpayer gets when they are late on their taxes. Currently the State of California gets their cards to their patients within 7 days of applying for it. Michigan must do much better in this area and it will be done.


In the stuffed shirt world of politics, this blogger has never witnessed applause coming from the audience during a speech from any elected official. Mr. Cushinberry received an ovation from his presentation from the attendees who are truly concerned about the future of Michigan and serving its citizens. If you have any questions or concerns on this matter please to not hesitate to contact us and your individual state representative. (click here to find your State Rep)

House Committee preparing to take action on delays and snafus in the Michigan Medical Marijuana program by Embracing Technology.

The Friends of Cushingberry
May 8, 2010



Our friend George and the members of the House Intergovernmental and Investigations committee will be taking action between now and Thursday May 27, 2010, to address the complaints from participants in the program. The committee will take action by amending an existing supplemental appropriations bill for the program instead of adding another one. The amount to cover the additional expenses for the technology services will be added to this account for the Michigan Department of Community Health Medical Marijuana Program MDCH/MMP. This will cover the costs of the contract work for processing Medical Marijuana Applications. The two major complaints are the un-acceptable delay in processing the cards and the formation of the 15 member board to review petitions to place additional qualifying medical conditions on the current list. After listening to testimony from participants in the program, State officials, and outside experts in the field of Marijuana Information Systems, the committee will issue a directive to get the job done.


An opinion from the Attorney General Office regarding the legality to privatize the application process is currently under review. Patients are rightfully concerned regarding their privacy rights and the potential for abuse from law enforcement. However the argument cannot be supported because all private vendors to the State of Michigan must abide by confidentiality agreements or face fines, imprisonment, or both.

(Listen to State Employee Rose-Johnson King discussing data security in State of Michigan)

Companies like Unisys, IBM, Compuware, EDS, and the other myriad number of contractors working for the State are all under strict confidentiality laws. Unisys is a major contractor of hardware and support services to the State. The Department of Treasury has been a Unisys customer for years and they cannot and better not access confidential taxpayer information for their own use. Other departments like State Police and the Department of Transportation use contracted services from private agencies.



We expect the Attorney General to give the ok to allow the process to go out to bid. MDCH is currently not in compliance with the law and may be exposing the department to lawsuits and fines because of needless wrangling. The Attorney General has precedent setting contracts in place now with private contractors who do work for the Department of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB). Anything other than approval from the Attorney General would be a cause for the people to sue the Department into compliance with the law. After all if you are late on your income taxes, you pay a penalty and this is the same type of situation.


After the hearing on May 6, TFOC blogger Richard Clement had a brief interview with Melanie Brim of MDCH and representatives from the Department of State Police.

TFOC: What has the department done to relieve the backlog of applications?

Brim: We have added up to 5 additional full time employees to handle the backlog and added 2 new printers that can print a much larger volume of cards.


TFOC: Is there a solution using Information Technology?

Brim: Yes there is, I will be sending out notices from our office in 15 days stating that this is your temporary ID until you receive your permanent ID.


TFOC: What is the status of the 15 member board to review petitions for additional qualifying medical conditions?

Brim: I have no idea and that one can be answered by the Department Director. The Department Director and the Governor are responsible to appoint the members of that board. They are also responsible for calling meetings to review petitions for additional qualifying medical conditions. This is explicitly written in the law.


TFOC: On calling doctors back for every application what have you all decided to do to end this process?

Brim: I am desperately searching for answers to this entire bottleneck regarding applications. We already have the doctor’s information in our files already. We can send from pre-authorized terminals in remote locations.


TFOC: A patient calls me and asked me if the cards can be printed by the Secretary of State. Is this possible?

Brim: It may not be possible due to the workload at the Secretary of State.

TFOC: Thank you Melanie for your time.

Brim: Thank you Richard, have a good day.

After speaking with Ms. Brim, TFOC had a chance to speak with a Michigan State Trooper representative who was summoned to the meeting at the capitol.

TFOC: Why are law enforcement officials on the state and local level continuing to arrest legal Medical Marijuana patients?

MSP: Our officers have no way of validating a participant based on the paperwork provided by the Department of Community Health. Someone could have taken this paperwork and put it through a copy machine.


TFOC: According to the law, the paperwork is valid after 20 days. What can us as patients do to assist in the process?

MSP: The biggest problem that we have with this program is that we are not being provided a list from the Department of Community Health in a timely manner. There is also a clear lack of leadership in the Attorney General’s office regarding the issuance of a directive to State, County, and Local law enforcement officials on Medical Marijuana participants.



TFOC: Would someone running for Governor and Attorney General be able to fix this problem if they got elected?

MSP: I would hope so because the current situation needs massive improvement.


TFOC: Do you feel that privatizing the MDCH application process will solve the problem?

MSP: I am not going to get involved with that part of the process because it is not in my area. One thing is certain. We will not be calling Community Health on a Saturday or any day after 5:00pm because we know that one is there to answer the phone. This is an area that needs to be addressed immediately by the use of technology tools either by public or private interests. We want the law to work as much as you do because we are tired of prosecuting and arresting people with small quantities of Marijuana. We have bigger fish to fry such as child molesters, spousal abusers, murderers, and rapists.


TFOC: What is a small quantity to a Police Officer?

MSP: Anything under two ounces and if you have no prior felonies or warrants you will be free to go on your way. We are sincerely hoping that we can get information on people in a timely manner. We will be very happy about that.



TFOC: Police officers and firefighters are subjected to injuries and events that cause chronic pain. Being shot at, an injury from falling beams, climbing up roofs, and cinders from fires are events that increase the chances of getting chronic pain. I want to ask you, do you see the time coming when medical marijuana will be accepted as a legal treatment for these loyal public servants?

MSP: I don’t know and I cannot comment on that.


TFOC: Thank you for your time and cooperation.

MSP: Thank you Mr. Clement.

The committee will also issue a directive to take action to assemble the 15 member board that will review additional qualifying medical conditions. This has been overlooked in the process but not forgotten. MDCH Director Janet Olszewski and James McCurtis will be formally asked to select members to that board for the purpose of reviewing petitions to add qualifying conditions. Michigan citizens should not suffer from the poor prioritization of resources from the Director of MDCH and the Governor's office.


By embracing technology these problems would be eliminated and patient cards will be issued in compliance with the law. If you have any comments or questions, please use our blog so that we may review it for action later. Finally, we encourage everyone to contact their State Representative and State Senator in Lansing MI to support the efforts of our friend George and his colleagues to act on the wishes of the people.

Restoring the Revenue: Rep. Cushingberry seeks to help Michigan Agriculture with House Bill 6040 The Farm to School Grant Act.

The Friends of Cushingberry
By Hard Core Detroiter
April 18, 2010



Our friend George supports this bill introduced by State Representative Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond) because it would be an absolute benefit to the Detroit Public School System. School districts in Michigan will be eligible for grants up to $15,000 from the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of purchasing locally produced food products for their districts. This would allow approved farm product producers to supply a local school district with a healthy lunch instead of fast food.

Public schools would have the choice of placing trays of Oranges, Apples, and Bananas in the halls for students to munch on while they are on the way to class. For instance Oranges are very good because the natural juices in the orange will kill germs on teeth and taste better than toothpaste.

A list of local farm producers will be created and maintained by the Department as a directory for local school districts to select from. This bill provides for the structure of this project to be administered within the department. Some of the hidden benefits are:

1.Gardens in the city will also serve as a social gathering spot for senior citizens to hang out in the neighborhood.
2.Colleges and Universities like Michigan State with an agriculture program and a county extension service will benefit by providing support and learning opportunities for students.
3.Encouraging local school districts to acquire empty lots in cites to serve as a training program for K-12 students. Currently some school districts in Michigan have some form of a science program that teaches children how to grow now.

Currently Michigan ranks #1 in unemployment in rural counties in the United States with Alabama a close second. This is according to this 2009 map of the United States excluding urban counties.

(Click here for Rural Unemployment in United States by County Map).

If you would like to see this bill become law please e-mail your State Representative and Senator. If you are not a State of Michigan Resident, contact Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm (Click Here for the Gov.). If you are sending an e-mail please place the bill number in the subject line of the message. Include your voting address to allow your message to be forwarded to the proper representative.


Subject line example (HB 6040 – Farm to School Grant Act Support/Opposed/Neutral).

If you have additional comments or ideas on this bill, please use our blog to leave a message because your input is appreciated. Given the total number of sponsors on this bill, contacting your Representative will make it a law before the end of the year.

(Read the full Context House Bill 6040 by Clicking Here)

How privatizing Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Program will benefit the Citizens of Michigan. Hearing in Lansing MI. April 15, 2010 @ 10AM

The Friends of Cushingberry
By Richard C. Clement
April 15, 2010

“A 420 Technology Slam in Lansing MI”

A slam is an event where people with similar traits go to ‘show their stuff’. For instance Poets have a poetry slam where a group of poets get together and let out their best verses to an audience. The Information technology profession has events like give camps and computer competitions.


The House of Representatives Intergovernmental and Oversight Committee will meet on April 15, 2010 @ 10AM at the State Capitol 3rd floor room 352, to settle a dispute between public and privatization. The hearing will be recorded by MGTV for the record if you happen to miss it. The State will be represented by David Neuman, legislative liaison for the Department of Information Technology. The challengers are two companies who have applications currently running in other states. At this hearing the defendants will state to the committee on having the best process to handle the deluge of applications coming into the program. The current process is unmanageable due to the increasing volume of applications and the tactical misuse of State Employees in a clerical function.


The Michigan Medical Marijuana program has been wildly successful for the State of Michigan in regards to public interest and participation. The sheer volume of applications received is a testament to the fact that the people of the state voted to allow the use of Marijuana as a medical solution instead of being a problem. There has been an explosion in the number of medical doctors who are writing recommendations for Medical Marijuana so much so that there is a 120 backlog of applications from the date of receipt by the Department of Community Health.

When an application is received, they are reviewed on the spot for completeness within the 15 day review period. Then they go to the backlog pile and wait to be processed. Processing includes calling the doctor who did the recommendation to verify the application. This is a problem for patients and law enforcement employees who have to make a snap decision on the street. Sometimes it is a poor and un-informed choice based on the documentation provided to the officer, prosecutors, and judges.

By privatizing the process the taxpayers will benefit because the software to do the job is already working in other Medical Marijuana states. Law enforcement agencies will have the information to make intelligent and sound decisions regarding Marijuana. Participants will be served faster and renewed much quicker if the system was privatized. State Government is going through too many layoffs, furloughs, payless paydays, and other cost cutting measures to implement a system of this magnitude. There is no need to re-invent the wheel and allowing State employees to use tax dollars to conduct study after study while they are behind is a waste of money and time.


The target time of April 20, 2010 @ 4:20AM has been changed to April 20, 2010 @ 4:20PM for a full presentation before a bi-partisan group of private citizens, technology experts, Senators and Representatives. The reason for the time change is to accommodate the non-technical employees and cooperation with computer geeks and nerds who do not have regular sleeping hours. Michigan’s new Medical Marijuana Law has already generated jobs and opportunities in dispensaries, agriculture, and the computer field. The addition of 5 staffers by the Medical Marijuana program is a band-aid and is not a permanent solution. Given the rate of applications coming in at 80 per day, it will take another 2-6 months to address the backlog if ever.


We believe that the solution to the backlog is in the tactical use of technology. The Department of Community Health MMJ program does not have resources to maintain and implement the program in a cost effective manner. The popularity of the program and the increased volume of applications will overwhelm the current staff at the current pace. Placing the process out for public bid will bring in the best and brightest minds from the private sector to vastly improve the management of information and will bring the Department of Community health into compliance with the law as voted on by the voters.


If you favor privatizing the processing of applications for the Medical Marijuana program please let your comments be known by entering it on our blog for public review and, e-mailing your personal State Representative in Lansing MI.

Out of the Hospital! – A Status Report on our friend George and High Blood Pressure.

The Friends of Cushingberry
By Richard C. Clement
April 13, 2010

As of this writing, our friend is out of the hospital and resting comfortably at home in Detroit. He will be back to work by Thursday at the latest to return to duty. High blood pressure is the leading cause of many debilitating diseases and death. It is often called the silent killer. Eating habits such as eating and laying down over a long period of time will increase the risk. Certain foods like salt are a primary cause of raising your pressure also.

My friend George and I urge all of you to constantly monitor your pressure. Blood pressure cuffs may be covered by your health insurance co-pay and is fairly inexpensive (under $20). Other activities like dancing, farming, and walking help in the battle against this silent killer. Additionally, there is more information from this link provided by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp) that has very good information regarding the monitoring and managing of your blood pressure.


There is an old saying going around the neighborhood that “it is better to be seen, than viewed”. Please check with his staff for the latest information regarding meetings and other State of Michigan business. If you have any questions regarding the status of committee meetings please check with the clerk at 517 373 8080. Your thoughts and prayers were felt and welcome.

Clarification on Stephen G. Scofes of Scofes Associates & the Medical Marijuana Program hearing on 4/15/2010 Lansing MI

The Friends of Cushingberry
April 9, 2010
by Richard Clement T.F.O.C.




The hearing on April 15, 2010 at the State Capitol in Lansing Michigan will be held as scheduled. At the hearing in addition to State Police Officials, there will be members from the Departments of Community Health and Information Technology. Scofes Associates is a company that represents other companies. Mr. Scofes does not own the software but speaks for other companies that do own the software and performs the actual work. He travels all over the country to speak for other companies who need a professional representative to appear in person.


His clients have the solution to save the taxpayers a lot of money because the Department is in violation of State Law by not processing cards within the 20 day period. This system can be quickly implemented at a minimal cost. The date of April 20, 2010 at 4:20AM remains a target date for action and a day when the citizen Computer Geeks of the world step up to the plate of public service. The law was well written by a group of excellent lawyers and advisors.


When the mechanics of the law was finally implemented, the process began to bog-down with delays in processing. The tools of technology were completely overlooked and ignored. This explains the 120 day backlog in processing because of a paper only process. The citizen geeks of the world by stepping up to the plate will solve this problem for the benefit of the people by automating the entire process. By enabling the minds, passion, and talents of the geek world, this process will be brought into compliance with the law.


If you would like to send written comment to your Michigan House of Representative member in Lansing please click here to do so. In the subject line of your message please say something along the lines of: (Support/Oppose – Marijuana Info Systems Upgrade). If you are a former or Non-Michigan resident, please contact Governor Jennifer M. Granholm by clicking here.


Pure Michigan includes Medical Marijuana, Industrial Hemp and, will create new job opportunities in the Great Lake State, all the way from Davidson and Livernois in Detroit, to Montmorency County, to Escanaba, Marquette, and Sault Ste Marie. With the high unemployment numbers in our State, creating manufacturing jobs and hope is a top priority in our community.