Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jan 2012
Source: Midland Daily News (MI)
Section: The Pulse of Midland County:
Copyright: 2012 Midland Daily News
Contact: http://www.ourmidland.com/submissions/?mode=letters
Website: http://www.ourmidland.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4293
Author: Tammy Weckerly
Note: The Pulse of Midland County is an ongoing series of articles
published in the Midland Daily News by Delta College students. It is
also a service-learning project that is an assignment in an
introductory statistics class. The content for the articles comes
from student research and a phone survey of Midland County residents
on contemporary issues.
Note: Each semester in Jim Ham's Elementary Statistics (MTH 208)
classes students (1) identify several topics of interest and vote on
the top two issues, (2) research and write survey questions on the
two issues, (3) conduct a random phone survey of Midland County
residents in the tenth week of the semester, (4) analyze and
summarize the results of the survey, and (5) write an article
suitable for publication in the Midland Daily News. This is the
second article from the series. The first was published last Sunday.

MIDLAND COUNTY RESIDENTS FAVOR DOCTORS PRESCRIBING MARIJUANA

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was approved by Michigan voters in
November of 2008. This act allows doctors to prescribe marijuana as a
medical treatment for various diseases including terminal cancer, HIV,
AIDS, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and other debilitating diseases
that cause severe nausea, vomiting, pain, muscle spasms, and seizures.

Medical marijuana in Michigan has been a debated topic for years. One
of the top reasons why legalizing medical marijuana is opposed is
because it is thought to increase youth drug usage. Some say it leads
to using harder drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Marijuana currently
lacks FDA approval, so many question its safety. Others question its
necessity, especially when there are other drugs on the market that do
have FDA approval for treating the same symptoms. Additionally,
marijuana is thought to have addictive qualities that make the idea of
legalizing its usage very distasteful.

Others, however, argue that marijuana is a safe and effective
treatment option. Those in favor of medical marijuana say that it is
actually less toxic than many prescription drugs. They argue that
marijuana has been around for decades and there have been no reported
serious side effects. They also agree that there are no other drugs
that work in a similar manner in the body to relieve pain, nausea, and
vomiting.

What are Midland County residents' opinions about medical marijuana? A
recent survey conducted by students at Delta College suggests that
residents may be more ready than you think.

When asked whether they thought that marijuana had medicinal
qualities, approximately 78 percent of those surveyed agreed that
marijuana has medical benefits. Approximately 80 percent agreed that
doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana for medical uses.

Does this mean that we are going to make is easier for people to get
marijuana for recreational purposes? Midland county residents think
so. Sixty eight percent of respondents agreed that having a medical
marijuana act in the state of Michigan makes it easier for people to
get marijuana, even if they don't have a medical need. However, the
response was overwhelming that marijuana should not be legal for
recreational purposes. More than three quarters of those surveyed did
not want marijuana legalized for recreational use. Interestingly,
males were more than twice as likely as females to favor the
legalization of marijuana for recreational use.

Since medical marijuana is legal in Michigan, dispensaries are
appearing in many cities across the state. When asked whether they
would be concerned about dispensaries opening in their area, a little
over a quarter of those surveyed (29 percent) stated that they would
be "very concerned" if a medical marijuana dispensary opened near
other stores in their area. Among those who were "very concerned,"
almost half were seniors. Generally speaking, the younger the
respondent the less concern there is about medical marijuana
dispensaries in the community.

In August, the Michigan Appeals court ruled that marijuana
dispensaries conducting patient-to-patient sales are illegal.
Dispensaries can now be shut down as a part of Michigan's public
nuisance law. Even in light of recent news that dispensaries are being
banned throughout the state, nearly 60 percent of residents agreed
that dispensaries should not be banned in Midland County.

In conclusion, the people of Midland County do feel that there are
medicinal benefits in using marijuana. Most people in Midland County
feel that it should be legal to prescribe marijuana under a doctor's
supervision. However, they do not agree with banning medical marijuana
dispensaries in the area or making marijuana legal for recreational
use.

Results are based on telephone interviews with 803 Midland County
adults, aged 18 and older, conducted November 2, 4, & 7. For results
based on the total sample of adults, one can say with 95% confidence
that the maximum margin of sampling error is 3.5 percentage points.
Interviews were conducted with respondents on land-line telephones. In
addition to sampling error, question wording and practical
difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into
the findings of public opinion polls.

Works cited:

http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,1607,7-154-27417_51869---,00.html

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/

http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=655265#.Tt_1uWA5vjU
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