Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2007
Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2007 Lansing State Journal
Contact: http://www.lsj.com/contactus/ltr_editor.html
Website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/232
Cited: Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care 
http://stoparrestingpatients.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+Coalition+for+Compassionate+Care
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PETITIONS READY

A proposal to allow Michigan patients to use marijuana for medical 
purposes appears to be headed to the November 2008 ballot.

The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care said Tuesday it turned 
in 496,000 petition signatures to the Secretary of State's Office. It 
needs about 304,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

"Seriously ill patients who are following the advice of their doctor 
should not face the threat of arrest and jail for simply taking their 
medicine," coalition spokeswoman Dianne Byrum said in a statement.

Under the proposal, seriously ill patients would be able to grow and 
use a limited amount of marijuana for medical purposes under the 
recommendation of a doctor.

The state would create a registry of patients authorized to use 
medical marijuana, including an ID system to help law enforcement officials.

Twelve states now permit medical marijuana, according to the coalition. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake