practices

Archives: News

FBMJ pharmacist-attorney Kim Sveska presented “Legal and Ethical Issues Regarding Recreational Marijuana” to pharmacy technicians of the Southeastern Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SMSHP) on June 1, 2019, at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Westland, Michigan.  The lecture provided an overview of the new Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA) approved by voters on November 6, 2018, allowing adult-use (recreational) marijuana, covering issues of particular interest to pharmacies and pharmacy technicians.

The presentation reviewed drugged driving, measuring THC in bodily fluids, compounding with marijuana or CBD, employment issues related to recreational marijuana, the legal status of CBD containing products, and ethical issues for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.  Questions such as, “Can pharmacists recommend and sell CBD OTC?”, “Can pharmacists that use recreational marijuana face action by LARA?”, and “Should Michigan pharmacies sell CBD-containing products?” were just a few of the questions discussed at the continuing education event.

The SMSHP is a state professional society representing pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and whose mission is to foster safe and rational drug use in society, and to serve as a catalyst for practice innovation.  Contact pharmacist-attorney Kim Sveska at 734-742-1800 for more information.

June 2019

FBMJ’s Rx Attorney, Sveska, Featured Speaker at SMSHP Event

FBMJ pharmacist-attorney Kim Sveska presented “Legal and Ethical Issues Regarding Recreational Marijuana” to pharmacy technicians of the Southeastern Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SMSHP) on June 1, 2019, at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Westland, Michigan.  The lecture provided an overview of the new Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana

June 2019

Documentation Beats Conversation

Are you properly documenting prescriber interventions before dispensing opioids to your patients? Documentation must support a pharmacist’s professional judgment with clarity and specificity.  During a recent Michigan Board of Pharmacy (BOP) inspection, the state inspector advised caution to the pharmacy staff regarding opioid dispensing and documentation of opioid prescription interventions,  referencing

June 2019

Religious Land Use Case Survives Summary Judgement, Heads to Trial

FBMJ client, River of Life Ministries, defeated a motion brought by defendant Clinton Township to have their claims under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) dismissed at a hearing in U.S. District Court on May 22. This follows River of Life previously obtaining land use approval and

May 2019

State Clarifies “Applicants” for Marijuana Licensure

The Michigan legislature has given further guidance to individuals and businesses interested in obtaining a license for or participating in a new marijuana business. Public Act 3 of 2019, signed into law in April 2019, has clarified the confusion over who is considered an “Applicant” for application disclosure purposes on

May 2019

Supreme Court Declines to Hear RLUIPA Matter

The Supreme Court of the United States of America (SCOTUS) declined this week to hear an Ohio case that alleged violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA. That the Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals keeps

May 2019

New Steps to Advance FDA’s Evaluation of CBD

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with evaluating ways to allow cannabis and cannabis-derived products like cannabidiol (CBD) into foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. A public hearing will be held on May 31, 2019 at its White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland to discuss ways to

April 2019

Nicholas J. Tatro Joins Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC as a Senior Associate

Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC (FBMJ) is pleased to announce that Nicholas J. Tatro has joined the firm as a Senior Associate. Clyde M. Metzger, Managing Member, made the announcement. Nick’s practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, and

April 2019

Cannabidiol & Cosmetics – Changing Federal & State Regulations

Based on recent enforcement actions and rule changes at the state and federal levels, the focus on cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive component of both hemp and marijuana, as an additive to consumer products is on consumable products such as foods, beverages, and dietary supplements rather than topical products such as

March 2019

Governor Moves to Abolish Marihuana Board, Form New Approval Agency

The Bureau of Marihuana Regulation (BMR), including its board that votes on whether to approve licensees under the Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MFLA), will be abolished by an executive order Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed March 1. In its place the Marijuana Regulatory Agency will process applications. The executive order will

March 2019

What You Need to Know to get Licensed to Operate a Medical Marihuana Business in Michigan

It has been just over one year since the state of Michigan implemented comprehensive medical marihuana regulation. The need for such regulation only increased with November 2018 voter approval of recreational marihuana (cannabis). These two developments have caused a predictable outcome: Many investors, entrepreneurs and marihuana-enthusiasts want to become licensed