Mike Callton
| Mike Callton, D.C. | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 87th district | |
|
Assumed office January 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Calley |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Shelly Callton |
| Profession | Chiropractor / Politician |
| Religion | Judaism |
Michael N. "Mike" Callton, D.C. (born 1958) is the Republican State Representative representing the 87th District, which covers all of Barry County and 3/4 of Ionia County. He is also a practicing Chiropractor in his home town of Nashville, MI. He was elected in 2010 to the Michigan House of Representatives, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Health Policy Committee, and is a member of the Insurance Policy Committee and the House Military, Veterans' Affairs & Homeland Security Committee.
Biography
Callton is the owner of Nashville Chiropractic Center. Prior to being elected to the State House, Callton served six years on the Barry County Commission. He also served as a member of the Nashville Village Council as well as the Maple Valley Board of Education. Callton earned a biology degree from Michigan State University in 1981; going on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1985. After leaving the army, he went on to earn a Doctorate of Chiropractic Medicine from the National University of Health Sciences in 1989.[1]
Legislative Work
Medical Marijuana
Representative Callton has worked on refining Michigan's Medical Marihuana Law, and has sponsored bills relating to patient safety.[2] On January 26, 2012, Callton, along with Michigan's 5th Circuit Court Judge Amy McDowell and Medical Marihuana Activist Ken Bayer, held a discussion panel-style townhall in Hastings, MI, which was well attended.[3]
Callton also introduced HB 5580 of 2012, a bill to create and regulate "Provisioning Centers," a form of Medical Marihuana Dispensary.[4] This bill would put the power to authorize dispensaries into the hands of the local municipal or township governments, and allow for these "Provisioning Centers" to buy overage from registered patients, and allow for the resale to other qualified patients.[5]
Presidential Citizenship Verification Bill
In 2011, Representative Callton sponsored a bill to require the Secretary of State to verify that all presidential candidates meet the constitutional requirement of "Natural born" by presenting their birth certificate before being placed on the ballot.[6]
Controversy
In June 2012, while speaking on the House Floor in opposition to a bill package dealing with abortion, Representative Lisa Brown evoked her Jewish faith as a point of debate on the subject. She concluded with the comment, "Mr. Speaker, I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but 'no' means 'no.'"[7] Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland, determined Brown's comments violated the decorum of the House and barred her from speaking for a one-day period.[8][9] On June 14, the Detroit News quoted Callton's take on Brown's comments. "What she said was offensive ... It was so offensive, I don't even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company," he said. "It's just an extremely offensive statement." Callton, who is also Jewish, said he consulted his rabbi and believes Brown's interpretation of the Talmud as it relates to abortion is incorrect.[10]
The bill that prompted Brown's comments was passed by a vote of 70-39 with one representative not voting.
References
- ↑ "Official Republican Website". Mike Callton.
- ↑ "Michigan Legislature - House Bill 4852". House Bill 4852.
- ↑ DeDecker, David (January 26, 2012). "Medical marijuana discussion draws hundreds to meeting". Hastings Banner.
- ↑ "Michigan Legislature - House Bill 4852". House Bill 5580.
- ↑ Pluta, Rick (May 2, 2012). "MI lawmaker wants to allow marijuana dispensaries". Michigan Radio.
- ↑ McMillin, Zane (April 27, 2011). "Pres. hopefuls could face certificate requirements". State News.
- ↑ http://www.gongwer.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=511170103
- ↑ Livengood, Chad. "Lawmaker barred from speaking after 'vagina' comment". Detroit News. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ↑ "The word vagina: It's time to regulate against it.". Slate Magazine.
- ↑ http://www.gongwer.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=511170103