Senate-passed bills protect drug users seeking medical help
LANSING, MI -- Michiganders who overdose and friends who help them wouldn't be prosecuted for drug use under legislation passed by the Michigan Senate on Thursday.
House Bill 5649 and House Bill 5650 work in concert to exempt those who seek medical assistance for themselves or friends from prohibitions against possessing or using a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue. This is already true for those under 21 years of age, but the bill package would expand it to people of any age.
The bills each passed the Senate 30-7 on Thursday, with a handful of Republicans voting against them.
Sen. Coleman Young, D-Detroit, said the bills would make it easier for people to seek assistance without fear of being charged with a controlled substance violation.
Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/senate-passed_bills_protect_dr.html
