Freelance Reporter Will Be Allowed To Tape Medical Marijuana Case Appeal

<p><em><a href="mailto:allenre@interlochen.org">By Bob Allen</a></em></p> <p>A freelance reporter in Traverse City has won his appeal to videotape a trial set to begin next week in the Michigan Court of Appeals. Eric VanDussen is working on a video documentary of Michigan's Medical Marihuana Act.</p> <p>The appeals court first denied VanDussen's request to record the trial. But VanDussen appealed to the state Supreme Court, where justices told the Court of Appeals it had to have a very good reason to deny his request.</p> <p>The three-judge appeals panel said yesterday that VanDussen hadn't supplied enough information to convince them he's a legitimate reporter. But now they recognize him as meeting the definition of media which is, "any person...engaging in news gathering."</p> <p>VanDussen has produced reports for a number of outlets including Interlochen Public Radio. He says proceedings in the state appeals court will be crucial in deciding how the new medical marijuana law will be applied.</p>