Pubdate: Sun, 9 Mar 2008
Source: Daily Telegram, The (Adrain, MI)
Copyright: 2008 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.lenconnect.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1556
Author: Mark Lenz
Referenced: Editorial: Medical Marijuana Wrong As State Issue 
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n000/a014.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

STATE SHOULD NOT VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW

When there's more than one possible treatment for a problem, it's 
important not to grab the first item in arm's reach.

Supporters of a proposed state law to legalize medical marijuana 
should weigh that as they push for a likely initiative on Michigan's 
November ballot.

The state marijuana initiative -- which The Daily Telegram 
recommended against in an editorial Wednesday -- is supported by a 
letter and guest editorial published today. I think the issue 
deserves federal study, and I genuinely sympathize with patients 
seeking what they regard as the best form of relief. Still, it is 
important to remember three key facts.

First, the state law would provide no legal protection because 
marijuana remains illegal under federal law.  Less than three years 
ago, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal law over a similar 
California medical marijuana law. Michigan would be forced to create 
a new system of tracking medical marijuana users and physicians who 
approve them. Yet, until federal law changes, that system would serve 
no more practical purpose than similar laws on the books in Detroit, 
Ann Arbor and several other cities.

Second, there are other pain medications available. In fact, Marinol 
uses the same active ingredient -- THC -- as cannabis, the drug 
within the marijuana plant.  Realistically, Marinol is not considered 
as effective, but expecting terminally sick patients to fertilize and 
tend their own marijuana plants also bears some unrealistic expectations.

Finally, giving state OK to a drug that has not received approval 
from the Food and Drug Administration is a bad idea in principle as 
well as precedent. Do Michigan voters intend to create a backdoor 
method for states to manage controversial drugs such as marijuana (or 
Laetrile) rather than the FDA? People who think that breaking the 
rules is a good way to change the rules should take a look at the 
Michigan Democratic state presidential primary. Unintended chaos is 
typical of how rule breaking usually turns out.

Changing Michigan law before addressing federal law is simply 
backward. Courts consistently give federal law priority. Supporters 
of medical marijuana should instead light a fire under the state's 
senior statesmen. How much have Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow 
or Reps. John Dingell, John Conyers Jr. or Bart Stupak accomplished 
on this issue?

Medical marijuana users need to apply pressure to Michigan's 
congressional delegation, not tie up state resources in another 
symbolic gesture. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake