On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the House Committee on Government Operations will hold a hearing on HB 5470, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, introduced by Rep. Lamar Lemmons III (D-Wayne County). The measure, similar to laws now in effect in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, would protect seriously ill patients using medical marijuana with their physician's recommendation from arrest and jail.

WHAT: Hearing on HB 5470, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, in the House Committee on Government Operations.

WHO: Scheduled speakers include:

- Irvin Rosenfeld, one of five surviving patients still receiving medical marijuana from the U.S. government, in a program closed to new patients in 1992. Rosenfeld, a Florida stockbroker who suffers from a rare and painful condition called multiple congenital cartilaginous exostosis, has been receiving government marijuana since 1982.

- Rochelle Lampkin, multiple sclerosis patient and grandmother from Detroit, who uses medical marijuana for pain relief.

- Martin Chilcutt, Navy veteran from Kalamazoo, who used medical marijuana to relieve pain and nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy.

- Don Murphy, former Maryland state legislator; executive director, Republicans for Compassionate Access.

- Rep. Penny Bacchiochi (R), Connecticut state legislator.

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 28, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Room 326, House Office Building, corner of Ottawa Street and North Capitol Avenue.

For more information, please visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.