Pubdate: Sat, 11 Oct 2008
Source: Niles Daily Star (MI)
Copyright: 2008 Niles Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.nilesstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1555
Author: Jessica Sieff, Niles Daily Star
Cited: Proposal 1 http://stoparrestingpatients.org/
Referenced: The Denno Noor Research poll http://drugsense.org/url/apD8a8j3
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+Coalition+for+Compassionate+Care
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

PROPOSAL I - 'HIGH' STAKES

When voters hit the booths in just a few short weeks, they will find 
themselves voting on two very controversial statewide proposals.

Michigan ballots will ask voters to let their voices be heard on 
Proposal 1, legislation to be known as the "Michigan Medical 
Marihuana Act" and Proposal II - a proposed constitutional amendment 
to Article I addressing human embryo and embryonic stem cell research 
within the state.

The Star will take a look at both proposals - starting with Proposal I.

Under the legislation, officially referred to as the 'Michigan 
Medical Marihuana Act," the drug marijuana would be legal under state 
law for medical use. The legislation states it would "provide for a 
system of registry identification cards for qualifying patients and 
primary caregivers; to impose a fee for registry application and 
renewal; to provide for the promulgation of rules; to provide for the 
administration of this act; provide for enforcement of this act; to 
provide for affirmative defenses; and to provide for penalties for 
violations of this act."

That's a lot of provisions - and some say they are not enough to 
ensure that the medical use of marijuana won't be taken advantage of. 
Others find the relief the drug gives to those suffering from certain 
illnesses - worth the risk.

The drug has been found, according to the state's text on the 
proposal to give relief to sufferers of "debilitating medical 
conditions." Cancer, glaucoma, Chron's disease acquired immune 
deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis C are just a few listed by 
the state as such conditions. Chronic conditions that require 
treatments that lead to severe nausea, chronic pain and seizures are 
also defined as a "debilitating medical condition" within the proposal.

A recent poll released by Denno Noor Research, The Rossman Group and 
Michigan Information and Research Service claimed "58 percent of 
Michigan's voters favor the ballot initiative while 33 percent do not."

One percent of voters, according to that press release, refused to 
answer the poll.

"Law enforcement wise, we fear it is going to increase marijuana in 
our communities...our schools," said Milton Abraham Agay, chief of 
police of the Berrien Springs Oronoko Township Police Department and 
president of the West Michigan Association of Chief's of Police.

Agay said under the proposal, he feels there is no way to "control 
the worker or the student" who may have permission to use the drug. 
"There's nothing to prevent the school bus driver from getting high 
and going to pick up our children," he said.

The act happens to list operating a school bus under its list of 
tasks that qualified patients would not be permitted to do under the act.

Under the legislation, any "qualified patient" would be permitted to 
keep 12 marijuana plants in "an enclosed, locked facility." The 
patient may also keep up to 2.5 ounces of "usable marijuana."

Another fear that stems from this proposal, Agay said, is the 
possibility of a sudden presence of "pot shops." Stores, Agay said, 
which would allow people to go in and purchase marijuana as well as 
smoke it on the premises.

The legislation seems to rest on the use of identification and 
registry cards as a means of regulating who would be permitted to be 
in possession of the drug and who would not. But it seems as though 
ensuring the drug doesn't end up in the wrong hands might be tough.

Still - "with less than a month to go, it's clear that legalizing 
medical marijuana is high on voters minds," Kelly Rossman-McKinney, 
CEO of The Rossman Group said in the release.

"Michigan voters are not going to let the medical marijuana proposal 
go up in smoke."

One organization that supports Proposal I is the Michigan Coalition 
for Compassionate Care, which provides information about the 
initiative as well as stories of patients and relatives of patients 
whose lives have benefited from the use of medical marijuana.

"Support for medical marijuana is more than 60 percent in every 
geographic region of the state, with the exception of the Upper 
Peninsula and West Michigan," said Dennis Denno, President of Denno 
Noor Research in the press release.

Agay - who said he sympathizes with patients suffering from painful 
illnesses and treatments, at the age of 18 he lost his mother to 
cancer and suffers from cancer himself - said "it's going to be 
devastating," when asked what it would mean to statewide and local 
law enforcement agencies should the proposal pass on Nov. 4.

Find the full text of Proposal I and Proposal II at 
https://services2.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

For more information on the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care 
visit www.stoparrestingpatients.org 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake