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Medical marijuana initiative may appear on November ballot
1/25/08|Bay Mills News| by Shannon Jones - Staff Reporter

The initiative to allow use of marijuana for medical purposes may come before voters this fall if the state legislature fails to act. If it were to pass, Michigan would be the first state in the Midwest allowing the use of medical marijuana.

Despite claims from the state legislature indicating the marijuana initiative is not a priority, the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care has plenty of support on its side. The coalition collected and turned in 496,000 registered voters signatures on petitions on Nov. 20, 2007 - well over the 304,000 required for action.

The secretary of state is currently certifying the petition. Under Michigan law, the legislature will get the first chance to pass the initiative, which is unlikely.

According to MCCC spokeswoman Diane Byrum, the legislature has three options: adopt it as is, reject it entirely or do nothing. If the measure is rejected or nothing is done, it will then be up to Michigan voters to certify and pass the measure at polls this November. According to MCCC, that's not a far reach.

A 2003 poll of residents found that 59 percent of state residents would support the marijuana initiative.

Supporters behind the initiative include the American Bar Association, Episcopal Church and the American Nurses Association just to name a few. Byrum said there are also hundreds of nurses, doctors and other health care professionals supporting the initiative.

There are currently 12 states that have exceptions in their state laws for medicinal marijuana use. The MCCC does not want the law changed for recreational users, but seeks to provide some comfort to those who are sick and would benefit from the drug, such as cancer and AIDS patients. Five cities in Michigan have already passed local initiatives in support, including: Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor, Ferndale, and Traverse City.

Supporters of the initiative believe misconceptions about using the drug medicinally are standing in the way of the patients who need it the most.

"It's a slippery slope," said Byrum. "Some people think by voting for this they are opening the gates for drug use."

But studies have been done on the issue of medicinal drug use and recreational drug use and revealed there is no link between those who use medicinal marijuana seeking more illicit drugs.

To date, no one person has ever been reported to have died from a marijuana overdose according to the Marijuana Policy Project. They assert that cigarettes are far more dangerous than marijuana as tobacco takes the lives of 1,200 people per day.

If the initiative passes, the MCCC with the backing of the Marijuana Policy Project, would set up a patient/caregiver system of registries. The system would allow qualified patients and their caregivers to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12 plants. Cases would be approved individually to register, but would most likely be judged by medical condition.

"There are specific limits and activities for its [marijuana] use," said Byrum. "This initiative would affect less than one-half of 1 percent of the population."

Although state law cannot supercede federal law, which makes marijuana use illegal in any case, Byrum doesn't believe it will be an issue. In most states, it is state authorities that enforce the laws, not federal. And despite the current federal marijuana laws, they may also change in the near future. In every congressional session in the last several years a measure has been introduced to make the drug legal for medicinal use; each session it gains more support though it has yet to pass.

 

MasterCylinder

Medpot and recreational marijuana use are two distinct issues. The problem comes when others see how screwed up California's medpot law turned out.

Dark

As a Michigander I am very excited about this. I cannot wait for November to roll around and find out the outcome. If medical marijuana gets passed in this state it's a HUGE step. As it states, 5 cities have already passed similar initiative, but that isn't much considering you still have to fight the state, AND the Federal gov't.

I hope those 59% that said in 2003 they are for this, go out and voice their opinion. I know I will be.

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MasterCylinder

I'm with you on this. As the number of states with MMJ laws increases, this can only help but put pressure on the Feds to change their policies. Well, I'm hoping that would be the result.