Last week was a big one in marijuana news in Michigan, which is a story of major national interest. Let's recap: Grand Rapids and Detroit voters approved legalized marijuana use and possession, not just for medicinal purposes but for just plain old good times.

This occurred on same same that voters in Washington and Colorado also approved such measures.

Michigan voters approved a few years ago the use and possession of medical marijuana, which spawned a thriving dispensary business. Last week, a report showed the just with the licensing of users and caregivers, the state has earned about $10 million for a program costing about $3.5 million to run, almost a $3 for $1 ratio. That's just the $100 to get the card. Just think of the taxing possibilities.

Also last week, the state's top court sided with law enforcement about the status of dispensaries. They are not allowed under the law, as it's written. Seems like the law could be tweaked to improve service for users, providers, not just to appease law enforcement.

Today, there is a great story on CrainsDetroit.com about the growth of the businesses supporting Michigan marijuana growers. There's a large industry here waiting for government support and protection.

Considering all that Michigan's government has done for casinos in particular and gambling in general as well as the health and strength of the state's liquor selling and serving, beer-brewing and serving, and wine-making and serving industries, it seems like there should be nothing holding this back.

We had a bit yesterday about a Waterford man, 28, pleading guilty to misdemeanor cases related to his marijuana grow room. Due to the medical marijuana laws, he was not charged with the grow room, despite exceeding the number of allowed plants. Those used to be felony charges.

But he had an alligator and four pit bulls, misdemeanor violations in Waterford Township. Kind of a strange case, with the 2-and-a-half foot alligator, which to me the big news being that the reptile was euthanized. Strange, though, is not unique. We had this today, crossing the wires, which I had added to our Bizarre Blotter piece:

Alligator found guarding California man's marijuana stash
This man's alligator was five-feet long and was inside the Castro Valley home to protect 34 pounds of marijuana, police told The Associated Press. While the Michigan gator was euthanized, Mr. Teeth —  as his 32-year-old owner told police — is at a zoo, being cared for. UPDATE: Sadly, Mr. Teeth passed on overnight as his sickly condition could not be fixed. Officials told the AP that the gator was very sick but was being treated. The owner told police he got the gator to commemorate the death of rapper Tupac Shakur, the AP reported. He is being charged with having marijuana to sell.

The video of medical marijuana advocates Candace and William Teichman meeting with sheriff's deputies about them harassing another officer reveals the patience needed by police officers when doing their job.

Of course, the deputies knew that the tape of running, but still, they showed incredible restraint while the couple proved itself volatile with downright uneducated rudeness.

Good job for the police in this one, but too bad the couple soiled a strong legal and public relations argument for medical marijuana. The fact that voters approved it tends to make most polls, it seems, in Michigan show a support for medical marijuana. But this couple cannot be the mouthpiece for those who feel local leaders are wrong about prosecuting the cases.



Shrewd move, of course, for this video to be removed, but such video shows the truth about who we're dealing with here. Like the NFL, NHL, NBA and even MLB, let's go to the video carries much weight.

What I can't get over is how rude they are to each other. Each one takes turns interrupting and shouting down their partner. Wow.