Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2007
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2007 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://detnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Kim Kozlowski, The Detroit News
Cited: Coalition for Compassionate Care http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES IN MICH.

An initiative that would allow seriously ill Michigan residents to 
use marijuana as a pain reliever without repercussions will be 
launched this week, The Coalition for Compassionate Care announced Wednesday.

The Ferndale-based, grassroots group plans to collect 550,000 
signatures within six months for a citizen's initiative known as the 
Michigan Medicinal Marijuana Act. It would allow patients to grow and 
use small amounts of marijuana for relief from pain associated with 
cancer, multiple sclerosis and other diseases.

If 304,101 signatures are validated, the initiative would go to the 
Michigan Legislature, according to Coalition for Compassionate Care 
Spokeswoman Dianne Byrum. The act would appear on the November 2008 
ballot if lawmakers reject or chose not to vote on it.

"This is a narrowly drafted initiative," Byrum said. "If you are 
going to use medicinal marijuana, it must be under a doctor's 
recommendation. Patients deserve to get relief from their terrible 
suffering without going to jail."

Byrum was unaware whether anyone has been prosecuted in Michigan for 
using marijuana for medical purposes.

Current Michigan law forbids marijuana use for any reason, but 12 
other states permit medicinal use by patients.

There have been numerous legislative attempts to change Michigan's 
law in recent years, but they have gone nowhere, which is why the 
citizen's initiative is being launched, Byrum said.

Since 2004, voters in five Michigan cities have passed ballot 
initiatives allowing for medicinal marijuana use, including Detroit, 
Ferndale, Flint, Ann Arbor and Traverse City.

Detroiter Rochelle Lampkin uses medicinal marijuana to help ease the 
excruciating pain in her optic nerve, which is associated with her 
multiple sclerosis. She uses it occasionally and only needs a little 
to ease the pain.

"I don't abuse it," said Lampkin, 48. "It relaxes the optic nerve so 
it is not hurting in my eyes. It's a godsend."

Residents interested in volunteering for the campaign can go to the 
coalition's Web site, http://stoparrestingpatients.org. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake