Michigan lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday for a medicinal marijuana bill that isn't likely to pass before the end of the year.
The 2005 bill states a patient with a "debilitating medical condition" — such as cancer or glaucoma — will not be subject to arrest or prosecution for using appropriate dosages of marijuana in Michigan to relieve pain. Recreational marijuana use and sale would still be illegal with the bill's passage.
The bill is currently in the Michigan House Government Operations Committee.
Despite a hearing this week, legislators and observers doubt the bill will pass with fewer than two weeks left before their congressional session ends.
Rep. Chris Ward, R-Brighton, said the bill is not a high priority currently.
"There is no chance at all we'll look at this bill in a lame-duck session," he said.
Still, Rep. LaMar Lemmons III, D-Wayne, who sponsored the bill, said the hearing gave attention to the issue.
"People came from all over the country (to testify) because they realize in order to get the federal government to move, they need the states to move first," Lemmons said. "If the public could have been at the hearing, it was so compelling I think it persuaded some of the colleagues that were against it, but they are afraid to admit it."
Because Lemmons is term-limited and will not return in January, his father, Rep. LaMar Lemmons Jr., D-Wayne, will reintroduce the bill next session, he said.
Twelve states have medicinal marijuana programs passed through laws or ballot proposals. In Michigan, Ann Arbor and Detroit have laws allowing use of marijuana for medical purposes.
MSU law Associate Professor Paul Arshagouni said the conservative-controlled Michigan House and Senate aren't likely to pass something before January. But with a Democratic-led House next year, the chances might be better.
"We use narcotics regularly," Arshagouni said. "It would make sense to pass it because marijuana for medicinal purposes clearly has value."
Other commonly used narcotics include morphine and Tylenol with codeine, he said.
But claimed benefits of marijuana for ailments still need to be proven, said Jim Anthony, professor and chairman of the MSU Department of Epidemiology.
Anthony said there is a dilemma that occurs with medicinal marijuana policies: Government has a duty to protect the public and make sure people get proper treatment, but there are people dealing with painful conditions.
