Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 Source: Detroit News (MI) Copyright: 2007 The Associated Press Contact: http://detnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126 Cited: Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care http://stoparrestingpatients.org Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Michigan+Coalition+for+Compassionate+Care Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) MEDICINAL POT GETS BALLOT BID LANSING -- A group that wants to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes has turned in nearly 500,000 signatures to put the issue on the November 2008 ballot. The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care says the 496,000 signatures it gave the secretary of state's office should easily contain 304,101 valid signatures, the minimum required. If approved by voters, the initiative would allow qualified, seriously ill patients to use and grow a limited amount of marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a doctor. Twelve states and five Michigan cities have passed laws allowing the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana is illegal under federal law under all circumstances. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake