October 6, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that creates tougher penalties, including life imprisonment, for drug dealers whose products cause death.  Currently, Michigan law makes no distinction for cases where consumption of illegal drugs results in death.
 
“The men and women who peddle illegal drugs to our children and our neighbors need to know that they will be held responsible for their behavior,” said Granholm.  “This legislation is a clear signal that Michigan is serious about stopping the sale of illegal drugs.”
 
Public Acts 167 and 168 make the illegal delivery of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 narcotics a Class A felony if the narcotics are consumed by the person receiving them, or any other person, and death results. 
 
Schedule 1 narcotics include controlled substances that have a high potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or lack accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision.
 
Schedule 2 narcotics include controlled substances that have a high potential for abuse, have currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and the abuse of which may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence. 
 
Class A felonies are punishable by up to life imprisonment.
 
Senate Bill 423 was sponsored by Senator Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac).  House Bill 4673 was sponsored by Representative Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair Township).  Representative Pavlov introduced the bill to honor a young woman who died of a drug overdose at Eastern Michigan University.  Today is the 4th anniversary of her death.
 
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