Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 Source: South End, The (Wayne State U, MI Edu) Copyright: 2012 The South End Contact: http://thesouthend.wayne.edu/index.php/feedback/opinion/1 Website: http://thesouthend.wayne.edu/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2932 Author: Damon Flemings, The South End LAW SCHOOL HOSTS MARIJUANA REFORM SYMPOSIUM Former Mich. Attorney General Mike Cox Was Keynote Speaker On Jan. 27, the Wayne State University Law School held the "National and State Marijuana Reform: the Social, Economic, Health and Legal Implications" symposium. Former Michigan Attorney General, Mike Cox, who now practices in the health care and litigation group at Dykema Gossett PLLC, was the keynote speaker. During Cox's term as attorney general, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was passed, which prompted new state legislation. "Sixty-three percent of Michigan citizens voted for it," Cox said. Cox stated that during his last two years as attorney general he was still very indifferent about the law legalizing medical marijuana. "Some folks thought we should have done more to push legislation," he said. When asked his thoughts on the current enforcement of the law allowing for medical marijuana, Cox response was that he can't fault regular police officers for doing their job. "The best way to resolve the issue is for legislation to come up with some clean rules," he said. One of three main writers for President Barack Obama's first National Drug Control policy, Kevin Sabet also spoke. Sabet holds a Ph.D. and is currently an assistant professor at the University of Florida's, College of Medicine. He says legalization is an extreme solution that would increase use. "Legal drug use rates are high; availability and acceptability are linked with use." "No modern nation has ever legalized marijuana," Sabet said. Sabet served under current President Obama's administration from 2009-2011, and also worked under the administrations of former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton as well as with the George W. Bush's administration. However, supporters of legalizing medical marijuana feel that it does some good for society. Brandy Zink is a legal secretary for the law firm Cannabis Counsel and a committee member for Safer Michigan. She is actively working to end marijuana prohibition through her website www.repealtoday.org. For ten years Zink worked as an advocate for legalizing marijuana in Ohio, there she lobbied the state government along with the federal government for medical cannabis for patients. "People are using it anyway, if we have an available market it would reduce crime and police would have more resources available to protect us from violent crime," Zink said. The symposium addressing the social, economic, health and legal issues Michiganders should consider included a panel discussion moderated by distinguished law Professor Robert Sedler, also featured Dr. Saby Ghosray, founder of the institute of interdisciplinary studies. Dan Riffle, legislative analyst with marijuana policy project, and Jesse C. Vivian, Prof. of pharmacy, at the Eugene Applebaum college of pharmacy and health sciences. The Wayne Law Review's annual symposium is self-described as a forum that brings leading scholars from across the country to participate in a live panel-based discussion addressing a timely and relevant legal issue. The symposium is a vehicle to educate the public, inform local and national decision makers, and facilitate a forum for open and thoughtful discussion. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.