Pubdate: Sun, 2 Nov 2008 Source: Michigan Citizen (Detroit, MI) Copyright: 2008 Michigan Citizen Contact: http://www.michigancitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3124 Author: Diane Bukowski, The Michigan Citizen Cited: Proposal 1 http://stoparrestingpatients.org/ YES ON PROPS. 1 AND 2 Medical Marijuana, Stem Cell Research Supported by Majority in Polls DETROIT - The legalization of medical marijuana, Proposal 1, and stem cell research, Proposal 2, are the sole state-wide proposals on Michigan's ballot Nov. 4. While the chief excitement for voters will be the likely election of the nation's first Black president, Barack Obama, proponents of the amendments contend that they will aid many thousands of people in Michigan in very concrete ways. Detractors have their arguments as well, but so far polls show that they are in the minority. Proposal 1 -- Medical Marijuana "I support the medical marijuana initiative not only because of its value for patients, but also because its passage will mean that people in Michigan are moving in the direction of treatment rather than incarceration for drug possession offenses," said attorney Matthew Abel, the only candidate opposing Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on the ballot Nov. 4. The Green Party, to which Abel belongs, also supports the legalization of medical marijuana and an end to the drug war. They contend it has resulted in the needless incarceration of tens of thousands across the country. Abel has said that if elected prosecutor, he would not authorize warrants for simple possession of marijuana, period. The actual legislative amendment is complex, contradicting detractors who say that it involves little regulation. It reads, in part, "A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifying patient possesses an amount of marihuana that does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marihuana." A patient would obtain a registry card from the Michigan Department of Community Health, for a fee. To obtain the card, the individual must be diagnosed by a physician with specific debilitating conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and Alzeimer's disease. Other diseases involving chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, wasting syndrome or persistent muscle spasms, like those experienced with multiple sclerosis, would also be included. Primary caregivers would also qualify to obtain medical marijuana, and physicians would be subject to the same protection as patients if they prescribe the drug. Abel, a criminal defense attorney who specializes in representing those accused of drug crimes, said he worries, however, that the police and the prosecutor's office will continue to arrest people for possession of medical marijuana and wait for judges to dismiss the cases. "Cases shouldn't be brought in the first place," he said. "People have felt the need for this for a long time. We do expect the amendment to pass with a healthy margin of at least 60 if not 70 percent." He said that opponents of Proposal 1 claim that it will give children easier access to marijuana, and that it sends the wrong message to children. "Children already have easy access to legal drugs like alcohol, and the fact that marijuana is illegal just forces them into the black market," said Abel. "Lying about marijuana's medical value is what sends the wrong message to kids because it's hypocritical." He noted that there has never been a single documented case of cancer arising from marijuana use, and that patients are more frequently taking it in their food or in vaporizers, eliminating any tars that are present. Proposal 2 -- Stem Cell Research Proposal 2, unlike Proposal 1, is an amendment to the state constitution. It says first that it would not alter Michigan's current prohibition on human cloning. Michigan also currently bans the procedure used to take stem cells from human embryos for research into diseases including Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia and spinal cord injuries. Proposal 2 would limit the use of human embryonic cells to that already permitted by federal law and in place in 40 other states. Additionally, it would not allow the use of stem cells from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins, with the time during which an embryo is frozen not counting towards that limit. It provides that only embryos created for fertility treatment and voluntarily donated can be used. It also adds caveats that the embryos must be in excess of what is needed for the fertility treatment, not suitable for implantation, and subject to being otherwise discarded. It forbids purchasing or selling human embryos for stem cell research or therapies and cures. It is supported by most of the major media, numerous organizations and individuals. "The backing of these ... groups reflects the overwhelming public support embryonic research enjoys," said Chris De Witt, spokesman for the Cure Michigan ballot campaign. "Curing devastating disease is something everyone wants to promote." U.S. Senator Carl Levin added, "This proposal is ... the right thing to do for Michigan's economy. Michigan stands to gain all kinds of jobs for all kinds of people -- from thousands of research and other technical jobs, to secretarial and maintenance work -- if this important research is allowed to grow and prosper here, as in other states. Opponents of the proposal have countered that it would enable the use of public funds for embryonic research, although no such provision is included in the proposal. They have also claimed, falsely, that such research is already permitted in Michigan. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake