FLINT, MI -- Local medical marijuana advocates plan to hold a fundraising barbeque today to help AIDS patients get certified to use cannabis as medication.

The New Market Fire Station Compassion Center of Greater Flint is hosting the event with Wellness AIDS Services.

"Our whole point in this is to try to get all of the Wellness patients that want to be certified, certified," said founder of the club Adam Gerics.

A Michigan Supreme Court ruling this month has emboldened many medical marijuana advocates after the 7-0 ruling clarified some of the legal protections that patients have against prosecution.

Gerics established the club last month at the long-closed Market Fire Station on Grand Traverse Street at the Flint River.

He describes the club as a safe environment for medical marijuana patients to gather, medicate and get information.

"I've heard horror stories of people searching for caregivers from Craigslist," Gerics said. "This is an open and relaxed atmosphere and you can sit down and talk to people. We'll be able to help people network without having to worry about some weirdo."

The Saturday barbeque is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the old fire station.

Gerics said marijuana is known to benefit AIDS patients by providing appetite stimulation, nausea relief, pain relief and other benefits.

Dr. Robert L. Townsend, a Clare-area physician known as "Dr. Bob" who has certified patients to use medical marijuana in Saginaw and northern Michigan, is scheduled to attend the event.

Contact Khalil AlHajal at kalhajal@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter @FlintKhalilor on Facebook at Khalil Flint Journal.