LANSING (WKZO) -- The Michigan Supreme Court says medical marijuana users are entitled to use their prescription as a defense in court. Michigan’s marijuana law has been one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood in recent memory. The justices ruled that if a card holder violates the sometimes confusing rules, the have a right to an evidentiary hearing.

Until now there was no room for error and possession of the card offered no protection. The Justices ruled the lower courts have been too strict. In the case before the Supreme Court, the grower was arrested because the officer felt he failed to meet the rules for securing his plants from the public, but was otherwise in compliance.

The Justices also ruled unanimously that just getting the prescription, even if you don’t have the card, makes the patient entitled to a medical marijuana defense. Disputes will be sorted out by the courts and not by prosecutors.