Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jan 2012
Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot (MI)
Copyright: 2012 Jackson Citizen Patriot
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/jacitpat/letters/index.ssf
Website: http://www.mlive.com/jackson/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1190

SUPPORTERS SHOULD NOT RUSH TO PUT MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ON BALLOT

Little more than three years ago, this newspaper's editorial board 
supported the ballot proposal that allowed sick Michigan residents to 
obtain marijuana. It was clear the initiative was too vague, but we - 
and a large majority of voters - thought the principle outweighed 
concerns over the details. It easily passed.

Now, the politics of medical marijuana has overwhelmed any real 
effort to clear up confusion in the 2008 law. It might just get worse 
if supporters of a new initiative get their cause on this fall's ballot.

As reporter Aaron Aupperlee wrote Wednesday, an organization called 
Repeal Today for a Safer Michigan 2012 is pushing a measure to 
legalize marijuana, no matter what the purpose, for all adults.

Frankly, Michigan has not shown it is mature enough to have this 
debate. There might be an argument for legalizing marijuana, but it 
ought to wait.

Proponents of marijuana should first work to improve the 2008 law. 
Many police, prosecutors and judges have struggled with enforcing it, 
partcularly provisions that deal with who can grow and possess the 
drug. Some marijuana users have faced serious felony charges, treated 
as dealers, while there remain persistent concerns that not just the 
sick are obtaining pot.

Not every law-enforcement official is grappling with these issues in 
good faith. Attorney General Bill Schuette, who led the effort 
against the ballot proposal, has zealously used his office to go 
target medical marijuana, treating it as a scourge that it is not.

Still, political grandstanding by a few should not be reason to push 
to rewrite this fairly young law. Marijuana proponents scored a 
significant victory with the 2008 vote. They should build on it by 
showing they are serious and true to their original intentions of 
helping the sick, not by trying to turn the law on its head.

Lobby the Legislature to clear away the lingering haze. Push for a 
better distribution system for medical marijuana. Help users and 
dispensaries to avoid legal pitfalls.

Do all that, and then the time will be right to have a full-on debate 
over legalizing marijuana. That won't happen by this fall. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom