On the legal front it's been a tough stretch for medical marijuana supporters. When police can raid and seize assets without explanation or charges, then we are in bigger trouble than some problems with pot. The rule of law itself is under attack.

There are a couple of reports out there that marijuana partisans can point to. One is a recent report from the United Nations Global Commission on Drug Policy that opens with: "The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world." It calls for the decriminalization of all drugs and a health care approach to addiction. One chart showing the risk assessment for drugs shows marijuana to be less harmful than tobacco, and puts alcohol up there with heroin, cocaine and barbiturates.

A brief financial report from the Michigan Department of Community Health shows that from Oct. 1, 2010, to March 31, the state collected about $4.2 million more in certification fees than it spent in administering the medical marijuana program — bringing the total to $8 million since the MMMA went into effect Dec. 4, 2008. Those dollars go into the state's general fund. When you consider how cash-strapped Michigan is, I would guess there isn't going to be enough political will in Lansing to cut off that cash flow.

> Email Larry Gabriel