Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jul 2004
Source: Oakland Press, The (MI)
Copyright: 2004 The Oakland Press
Contact:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2114
Author: Korie Wilkins, Of The Daily Oakland Press
Cited: Detroit Medical Marijuana Initiative http://www.mmdetroit.org/
Cited: Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard 
http://www.co.oakland.mi.us/sheriff/
Cited: Rep. Alma Stallworth, D-Detroit 
http://house.michigan.gov/rep.asp?DIST=008
Cited: Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca 
http://www.co.oakland.mi.us/prosatty/elected_off_bio/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

STATE, LOCAL OFFICIALS OPPOSE PUSH FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

State and local officials are speaking out against a proposal that would 
legalize medical marijuana in Detroit, saying it could lead to looser drug 
laws in Michigan.

"Drugs are not something we want to have a greater amount of in the 
community," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. "This is an 
attempt to legitimize marijuana and nothing more."

Bouchard was joined by a host of law enforcement and legislative officials 
Tuesday for a news conference in Detroit against Proposal M, which will 
appear on the Aug. 3 primary ballot in Detroit.

If the proposal passes, it would essentially make it legal for patients - 
with a doctor's permission - to use marijuana. It would only be legal in 
Detroit and state and federal laws against marijuana possession would still 
apply elsewhere in the state and for nonmedical use in Detroit. Medical 
usage in Detroit could still be illegal as well, since state law supersedes 
a local ordinance.

The Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care, the group organizing the 
ballot initiative in the city, could not be reached for comment.

At the news conference, leaders praised a resolution by state Rep. Alma 
Stallworth, D-Detroit, opposing medical marijuana. The resolution passed 
overwhelmingly earlier this year.

Opponents of medical marijuana say the goal of those aligned in favor of 
the proposal eventually want to see it - and other drugs - legalized. It's 
not about sick people in pain, they say, but about making drugs more 
accessible.

"This is basically an end-run attempt to usurp state and federal laws," 
said Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca.

Gorcyca said there is little scientific evidence supporting claims that 
marijuana helps with pain or nausea symptoms. He also said that making 
drugs more accessible is a slippery slope.

Susan Hiltz of the Prevention Coalition of Southeast Michigan agreed. She 
said drugs should not be exempt from FDA approval and making marijuana 
something that's prescribed by a doctor is ludicrous.

"It's like putting penicillin use on the ballot," she said. "That's not how 
it is supposed to work." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake