As nurses, we are on the front lines of providing care and comfort to patients suffering from terrible illnesses. Michigan nurses strongly support Proposal 1, the medical marijuana initiative. And, frankly, we are appalled at the misinformation being spread by opponents. There is simply no doubt that medical marijuana can relieve suffering. In a White House-commissioned study released in 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported, "Nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety are all afflictions of wasting, and all can be mitigated by marijuana." [continues 514 words]
On Nov. 4, Michigan residents will decide whether or not to join 12 other states in legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. Proposal 1's intent is to benefit people suffering from debilitating illnesses. If passed, it would allow registered patients with a chronic medical condition such as cancer, glaucoma or Hepatitis C to use marijuana. The Michigan Department of Community Health would be required to establish an identification card system for patients who meet the criteria to use marijuana and individuals who meet the criteria to grow marijuana. [continues 363 words]
As a practicing physician of 29 years, I dedicated my life to caring for people. After my wife of 51 years was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year, I knew uncertainty lay ahead. Beverly's prognosis was grim. Cancer treatment is an emotional roller coaster, yet we kept hope until the last day. She underwent surgery and several courses of grueling chemotherapy. The resulting nausea robbed Beverly of her quality of life. She couldn't keep anything down, lost considerable weight and literally wasted away before my eyes. [continues 424 words]
Bill Federspiel wants Saginaw County's top law enforcement job, but he backs a ballot issue to make legal what's illegal now: The medicinal use of marijuana. Federspiel, a Saginaw Democrat, said while he doesn't favor legalizing marijuana in a "free for all" that would lead to recreational use, he sees a role for the drug under a medically prescribed treatment to ease the suffering of the terminally ill. "If it's for medicinal purposes, absolutely, I support it," he said. [continues 871 words]
Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel said today that passing Proposal 1 - -- the statewide initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot to allow the use of medical marijuana -- would make it impossible for police to regulate marijuana use and make it far easier for youngsters to get their hands on the drug. Hackel said at a press conference that the proposal's supporters are disingenuous when they say the goal is to legalize the drug for medical-use only. Officers would have difficulty levying a criminal case against anyone caught with marijuana, as long as they assert they need it medically, Hackel said. [continues 53 words]
The following are Record-Eagle endorsements for Michigan's two statewide ballot proposals. Proposal 1 -- Medical Marijuana Despite years of anecdotal evidence that smoking marijuana can ease symptoms related to glaucoma, cancer, AIDS and other conditions, the bottom line remains: There is no scientific evidence that it works or, as important, that it works as well or effectively as other existing treatments. That fact -- not to mention troubling language in the proposal itself - -- is reason enough to urge a "No" vote on Michigan Proposal 1, known as the Medical Marijuana issue. [continues 610 words]
Everyone's excited for the election this Nov. 4, but there's a lot more to it than picking who our next president is going to be. The state of Michigan has two proposals on the ballot, and the first one is about medical marijuana. Hardly anyone I talk to knows what Proposal 1 is about, it seems as though the people who like marijuana don't like politics and the people who like politics don't like marijuana. But either way, people need to be informed about all the issues on the ballot. [continues 341 words]
California law enforcement officials warned of increased crime and drug use in teens as they lent their support today to opponents of Michigan's proposed medical marijuana law. Saying they've watched supposed medical marijuana users leave distribution co-ops and selling marijuana to youngsters, the police chiefs of El Cerrito and Modesto, Calif., said the initiative does little to help the sick, and simply legalizes the drug for people who are healthy. Proposal 1, on the November ballot, would allow users with certain medical conditions that come with pain and nausea to grow and use marijuana without fear of prosecution by the state. Federal laws against the drug would still apply. [continues 119 words]
Voters will decide whether Michigan will become the 13th state to legalize marijuana use for terminally and seriously ill people -- if a doctor certifies it could ease suffering. The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, which is backing Proposal 1, estimates that as many as 50,000 state residents could qualify for medical marijuana. They say it could play an important role in treating patients with a variety of illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis. [continues 481 words]
I have worked as a physician certified in the field of addiction medicine for about 25 years. I have treated over 30,000 patients with drug problems. Marijuana is not a safe drug ("Vote yes on Proposal 1 for medical marijuana," Oct. 3). The side effects, both short and long term, are varied and unpredictable. Mentally they include paranoia, confusion, memory and judgment impairment for the short term. Long-term permanent effects include paranoia, memory problems, depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, mood swings and impaired cognition. [continues 162 words]
We're coming up on an election season where sound judgment must take precedence over an emotional or apathetic mind-set. One of the issues will be the legalization of so-called medical marijuana. The one thing we don't need is more drugs available to our children under the guise of medical use. Advocates for the legalization constantly bring out someone with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma or chemotherapy patients who have found relief by smoking marijuana; they play upon our feelings of compassion for those who suffer. [continues 217 words]
Colorado legalized medical cannabis (marijuana) use and it has worked properly, protecting sick citizens from confrontation with government. Amen. Colorado law enforcement groups alleged what Howell Police Chief George Basar ("Police chief critical of marijuana measure," Oct. 20) claims; however, the claims have proven false. Another reason to permit sick humans to use the relatively safe God-given plant cannabis (marijuana) that doesn't mentioned is because it's biblically correct since Christ. The Ecologician indicates he created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good, on literally the very first page. [continues 72 words]
The battle has been brewing for the past several months over Proposal 1 on the statewide ballot Nov. 4. The issue: Should the use of marijuana be allowed in Michigan for medical purposes? Many support the measure, which they say could help some 50,000 Michiganians afflicted with various debilitating medical conditions. Others fear legalizing marijuana, well-intended or not, would open up new channels to illegal use. Matter of fact, if you're reading this Oct. 24 or 25, I'm in a hospital bed recovering from shoulder surgery, but I am definitely not a candidate for marijuana treatment as provided in Proposal 1 - nor should I be. My situation isn't even close. People who would be eligible suffer an entirely different kind of condition and pain. They experience it around-the-clock, and in many cases their medical condition is terminal. [continues 648 words]
Vague Language on Medical Marijuana A proposal on the Nov. 4 Michigan ballot aims to help ease the pain and suffering of people with some very real, hard-to-address medical problems. Yet as it's constructed, the proposal is difficult to support. Proposal 1, the medicinal marijuana initiative, seeks to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana use for patients with certain medical conditions without the fear of the patient or the doctor running afoul of state law. Marijuana has a long track record of relieving pain or side effects for those being treated for cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS and other conditions. Undeniably, some of those patients believe that they can find only find effective relief by using marijuana, and their doctors may agree. There is a real need. [continues 177 words]
CASSOPOLIS - Proposal 1 would legalize smoked marijuana for so-called "medical" reasons. Unfortunately, it is deeply flawed and carelessly written. It is filled with loopholes. The unintended consequences will result in deep pitfalls for our county and state. To see the danger of Proposal 1, you need only to look to other states who now regret having passed similar proposals. California approved a proposal to legalize so-called "medical" marijuana 10 years ago. It has failed miserably. Today in California, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit their law has resulted in chaos. [continues 501 words]
VOTERS HAVE ONE statewide election and two proposals to decide Nov. 4. In the election, for U.S. Senate, Democratic incumbent Carl Levin of Detroit faces Jack Hoogendyk, a Kalamazoo-area Republican state representative. This fight, like so many Levin has waged, isn't fair. Levin, 74 and 29-year incumbent, is in an enviable power position. Power in campaign funds -- $7.7 million to Hoogendyk's $234,000. In political experience -- former Detroit City Council member, appellate defender and assistant attorney general. He's the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman and a leader of his national party. Hoogendyk, 53, has held his state rep post five years. [continues 434 words]
LANSING -- A recent poll shows support leading opposition for a ballot proposal to allow medical use of marijuana. Results released Friday of an EPIC-MRA poll conducted for The Detroit News and TV stations WXYZ, WILX, WOOD and WJRT found 54 percent support Proposal 1, 38 percent against and 8 percent undecided. The telephone poll of 400 likely voters conducted Sunday through Wednesday has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. An EPIC-MRA telephone poll conducted Sept. 20-22 showed 59 percent supported the Nov. 4 marijuana proposal, 37 percent against and 4 percent undecided. That poll had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. [end]
Proposal to legalize it for patients finds strong support and strong fears For many voters, the decision to back or reject a proposal to give people with severe and terminal illnesses legal access to marijuana will come down to their thoughts on compassion for sick and dying people versus those on preventing drug abuse. It's a debate that has divided the medical community, with each side pledging it is concerned with protecting Michiganders' health. Supporters have campaigned for months, saying medical marijuana is the only thing that gives relief to some patients, mitigating the worst side effects of the best medical treatments. And the measure -- Proposal 1 -- has strong early support, boasting a 66%-25% lead in the most recent Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll. [continues 2118 words]
Proposal 1 on the statewide ballot in the Nov. 4 general election would allow physician-approved use of marijuana by registered patients with "debilitating medical conditions" such as glaucoma, cancer, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions. The Department of Community Health would be assigned to oversee this process. Under the proposal, patients would get an ID card and would be allowed to grow up to 12 plants from which to process their pot. The proposal would "permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana." [continues 526 words]
Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids, the group opposing the ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for medical use in Michigan, made a stop in Battle Creek on Thursday. Scott Burns, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, spoke against Proposal 1. "This is about dope. This is not about medicine," he said. "If it was, it would have doctors who were standing up talking about the efficacy of smoking this weed. It is preposterous. This is a con." Judge Bill Scheutte, the group's co-chair, is touring the state and encouraging people to vote against Proposal 1. [continues 245 words]
The big reason some of us feel like voting in favor of this proposition is the over-the-top opposition. There may be problems of one sort or another with the proposition as currently constituted, but when the right wing takes its predictably sky-is-falling stance, I tend to get as unyielding as they are. I'm still having trouble understanding why a lot of drugs can't be handled like our national drug of choice, alcohol -- legalize and regulate. If someone abuses it to the point where they endanger others, then land on them hard. [continues 79 words]
I know a number of judges and doctors. The good ones have some respect for the truth. Not so with Bill Schuette and Daniel Michael. Their first misstatement was that California has seen a dramatic increase in drug use because of Prop 215. The truth is that teen use of marijuana has actually dropped since Prop 215 was passed. Their second bogus statement was that California is in "chaos" because a security guard at a marijuana dispensary was killed. If this reasoning made sense, then liquor stores should be banned everywhere. [continues 100 words]
When Dr. George Wagoner, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist from Manistee, saw the suffering his wife of 51 years was enduring from her battle with ovarian cancer last year, he turned to marijuana to ease her pain. "During her chemotherapy she experienced intense nausea, and conventional anti-nausea drugs didn't help much. One drug cost $46.20 a pill and didn't help," said Dr. Wagoner. "Another made her hallucinate, so she refused to take it. Basically, pharmaceutical drugs were ineffective and the marijuana -- just a very small dose -- was most effective." [continues 1120 words]
The limitations in life for those afflicted with debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis, ALS, Crohn's disease and many others are significant. They endure pain so intractable their doctors write multiple prescriptions for narcotics just so they can make it through the day. Many of these patients have a very low quality of life, yet they have a strong will to live and fight their diseases. For some, the only relief they can get is through medical marijuana. It alleviates chronic pain, eliminates nausea almost instantly, and helps patients who experience spasms and other symptoms. Proposal 1 was written with these patients in mind. It will allow them to quietly and privately get the relief they need. Lee Wilson Bloomfield [end]
Proposal 1 Offers Relief, Compassion, Safeguards for the Sickest Patients Michigan voters will have the opportunity to protect seriously ill patients from the threat of arrest and jail for using their doctor-recommended medicine. Voting "yes" on Proposal 1 is about compassion, common sense and providing a measure of relief for some of our sickest friends, neighbors and loved ones. Study after study has shown that medical marijuana can be remarkably effective at treating the symptoms of certain debilitating diseases and conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as countering the side effects of certain treatment regimens themselves. Indeed, medical marijuana often works for patients where conventional drugs fail. [continues 374 words]
A Livingston County police chief has serious concerns about the ballot question on the Nov. 4 election to legalize medical use of marijuana and is encouraging voters to reject the measure. Howell Police Chief George Basar, president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said Proposal 1 would make it easy for people to grow and use marijuana, and the lack of regulations would lead to more people, including children, using the drug. He said the message is, "If you feel bad, let's sit around and smoke marijuana and get high." [continues 447 words]
If marijuana is going to be used as a medicine in Michigan its distribution needs to be properly regulated. Should Michigan residents approve the medical marijuana proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot? We say NO. Not because we are unconvinced about the medical benefits the drug could provide some sick and dying people. There is a growing body of research and patient testimonials about marijuana's medical properties, despite federal drug laws that say it has no accepted medical use. Our concern is that there are not enough safeguards in the ballot proposal to ensure proper regulation and controlled distribution of personally grown pot. [continues 457 words]
Voters will decide on Nov. 4 whether Michigan will become the 13th state to decriminalize the use of "medical marijuana." Should anyone worry that the state will be overrun with illegal drugs? We do not think so. Approve this proposal, and people suffering from cancer or other serious diseases will have a new way to cope. Voters ought to say yes to Proposal 1. This proposal allows Michigan residents to possess marijuana legally, but only under certain conditions. They must suffer from one of a list of medical conditions for which marijuana is proven to offer pain relief. They must have a doctor's permission. [continues 133 words]
As a practicing physician of 29 years, I dedicated my life to caring for people. After my wife of 51 years was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year, I knew uncertainty lay ahead. Beverly's prognosis was grim. Cancer treatment is an emotional roller coaster, yet we kept hope until the last day. She underwent surgery and several courses of grueling chemotherapy. The resulting nausea robbed Beverly of her quality of life. She couldn't keep anything down, lost considerable weight and literally wasted away before my eyes. [continues 422 words]
A decade ago, voters in California approved a proposal to legalize smoked marijuana for so-called "medical" purposes. Today, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit the California law has resulted in "chaos," "pot dealers in storefronts" and millions of dollars being dumped "into the criminal black market." Michigan's Proposal 1 is just like the California law. While its stated intentions to help people experiencing serious pain are well meaning, Proposal 1's vague language, careless loopholes and dangerous consequences place Michigan communities and kids at risk. Michigan voters should reject it. [continues 346 words]
Proposal 1 on Michigan's Nov. 4 ballot would allow legal use of marijuana for medical purposes. It has stirred surprisingly little controversy, despite opposition from many organizations and public officials, including Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican state Attorney General Michael Cox. If polls are any indication, most voters see it not as a radical measure but rather as a sensible move to allow seriously ill people to benefit from marijuana's ability to relieve nausea, pain and other symptoms. We agree. [continues 148 words]
KALAMAZOO -- If it were just about the science -- and not the politics -- states would allow marijuana for medical purposes, says a leading researcher who was the first to report the drug's effectiveness in treating Lou Gehrig's disease. "There is actually an overwhelming abundance of evidence to support the medical efficacy of cannabinoids, the active ingredients in marijuana. There is more evidence (of their effectiveness) than there is for many prescription drugs," said Dr. Gregory Carter, of the University of Washington School of Medicine, where he co-directs the Muscular Dystrophy Association-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) Clinic. [continues 922 words]
22ND DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TAYLOR -- Voters casting ballots in the 22nd District state House of Representatives race Nov. 4 will choose from among four candidates. On the ballot for the two-year term will be Douglas Geiss, a Democrat; Darrell McNeill, a Republican; Dennis Schlemmer, a Libertarian; and Charley Johnson, who has no party affiliation. The seat is open because state Rep. Hoon Yung-Hopgood (D-Taylor) is serving his third and final term. Under state law, state representatives can serve only three two-year terms. [continues 1692 words]
Ottawa County, MI - If a Nov. 4 ballot proposal is approved, doctors could recommend marijuana for patients with cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS and other conditions. Under the proposal, patients would register with the state and could legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms. Proposal 1 is spearheaded by the Ferndale-based Coalition for Compassionate Care. A group of local law enforcement agencies, including the Holland Police Department, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department and Zeeland Police Department, recently released a joint statement opposing Proposal 1. [continues 359 words]
Proposal 1 on the statewide ballot would create a law authorizing the use of medical marijuana for ill citizens, with a doctor's approval. Proponents and opponents have laid out their case before the LSJ Editorial Board. While both sides have holes in their arguments, the debate goes to the pro side. The LSJ endorses Proposal 1. The best line deployed by the pro-medical marijuana camp is they want to "protect patients from prosecution." In Michigan, and in the scattering of states that already have medical marijuana laws, there are people who claim that smoking marijuana provides relief. Usually this benefit is described as a reduction in nausea or an increase in appetite. [continues 325 words]
A decade ago, voters in California approved a proposal to legalize marijuana smoking for so-called medical purposes. Today, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit the California law has resulted in chaos, pot dealers in storefronts and millions of dollars being dumped into the criminal black market. Proposal 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot in Michigan is just like the California law. While its stated intent, to help people in serious pain, is well meaning, Proposal 1's vague language, careless loopholes and dangerous consequences place Michigan communities and kids at risk. Michigan voters should reject it. [continues 454 words]
As a family practitioner in a suburban practice, I have some issues with legalizing medical marijuana. Marijuana cigarettes are scheduled "Category 1" by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Ecstasy, quaaludes, LSD and magic mushrooms are also Category 1 drugs. These drugs may only be prescribed for research purposes by physicians with a Category 1 license. Most physicians in Michigan do not possess this license, and thus may jeopardize their medical license by prescribing legal medical marijuana cigarettes. I have no plans to prescribe medical marijuana until the Food and Drug Administration proves it to be safe and effective to treat disease. Flat Rock [end]
Two Oct. 11 letters to the editor were misinformed. One stated that Marinol contains all the ingredients of marijuana and is legal, then ignorantly dismissed his opposition as "druggies," a cheap shot that only serves to avoid real discussion. In truth, Marinol contains only a synthetic form of THC, but none of the other dozens of cannabinoids that are also a part of the medicinal effect. Another letter stated that we don't allow people to use medicine that hasn't passed the FDA. However, herbal medicines -- which medicinal marijuana would be -- are not FDA regulated; only synthetic medicines are. Many herbs can be grown in your own garden, as people have done for millennia; examples would include echinacea, mullein and St. John's wort. A plant in its natural state is an herb, not a drug; drugs are chemically produced in labs and usually have terrible side effects. [continues 75 words]
LANSING - A team of top national anti-drug officials joined the late-starting campaign to defeat Michigan's medical marijuana initiative this morning, telling reporters Proposal 1 is a dangerous drug legalization scheme being pushed by outsiders that will lead to higher rates of addiction and despair. John Walters, a Michigan native who heads the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said marijuana has no legitimate medical use. Medical marijuana laws simply "make it easier for addicts to stay addicted," he said. [continues 157 words]
LANSING -- A team of top national antidrug officials joined the late-starting campaign to defeat Michigan's medical marijuana initiative Tuesday, telling reporters Proposal 1 is a dangerous drug legalization scheme that will lead to more addiction and despair. John Walters, a Michigan native who heads the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said marijuana has no legitimate medical use. Medical marijuana laws simply "make it easier for addicts to stay addicted," he said. Walters is scheduled for a joint appearance today in Southfield with Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Prosecutor David Gorcyca and other representatives of the anti-Proposal 1 campaign. The group Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids was formed late last month by law enforcement and medical organizations that argue that legalizing medical marijuana will make it harder to control cultivation, distribution and sale of the drug. [continues 96 words]
Editor, The News: After recent press releases from "Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids," which uses some of our local leaders as a mouthpiece, I was once again repulsed. Their statements were filled with disinformation and outright lies concerning Proposal 1 (medical marijuana). Why? Because deceit is the method they're comfortable with, and lying about it by incorporating the idea that Proposal 1 has anything to do with kids is the only way that they believe others can be persuaded on this popular issue. [continues 265 words]
GRAND RAPIDS -- Listening to opponents of Proposal 1 list their arguments, Kentwood resident Deborah Brink had a different view on the statewide ballot question that would approve medically legalized marijuana. In 1979, Brink became violently ill while undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. She threw up four times an hour for four hours a day, five days a week. Nothing she tried to relieve the nausea worked -- until she turned to marijuana. "I did not throw up at all," recalled Brink, now 50. "You can't say for sure, but there's a possibility it saved my life." [continues 453 words]
The U.S. deputy drug czar will be in Grand Rapids Monday to campaign against an initiative on the state's Nov. 4 ballot that would legalize marijuana use for serious medical conditions such as cancer and glaucoma. Scott Burns, named by President Bush to head the nation's drug control office in 2007, will speak at a 1:30 p.m. press conference at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. He will be joined by state Court of Appeals Judge Schuette and members of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. [continues 81 words]
Student Leader, Group Urges Voters to Check 'Yes' On Legalizing Medical Marijuana A group of Wayne State students seeks to educate others about medical marijuana and to encourage voters on Nov. 4 to pass the Proposal 1 initiative, which would legalize marijuana for patients. Jane Stewart, a 50-year-old patient and WSU senior, is in the process of starting the group Warriors for Medical Marijuana, in the hopes of encouraging those registered to vote to do so for Proposal 1 on Election Day. [continues 747 words]
When voters hit the booths in just a few short weeks, they will find themselves voting on two very controversial statewide proposals. Michigan ballots will ask voters to let their voices be heard on Proposal 1, legislation to be known as the "Michigan Medical Marihuana Act" and Proposal II - a proposed constitutional amendment to Article I addressing human embryo and embryonic stem cell research within the state. Under the legislation, officially referred to as the 'Michigan Medical Marihuana Act," the drug marijuana would be legal under state law for medical use. The legislation states it would "provide for a system of registry identification cards for qualifying patients and primary caregivers; to impose a fee for registry application and renewal; to provide for the promulgation of rules; to provide for the administration of this act; provide for enforcement of this act; to provide for affirmative defenses; and to provide for penalties for violations of this act." [continues 619 words]
A decade ago, voters in California approved a proposal to legalize marijuana smoking for so-called "medical" purposes. Today, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit the California law has resulted in "chaos," "pot dealers in storefronts" and millions of dollars being dumped "into the criminal black market." Proposal 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot in Michigan is just like the California law. While its stated intent, to help people in serious pain, is well meaning, Proposal 1's vague language, careless loopholes and dangerous consequences place Michigan communities and kids at risk. Michigan voters should reject it. [continues 458 words]
"Medical" marijuana is a just a ploy to legalize this drug under the guise of legitimate medicine. Since when do we allow a medicine to be administered that has not passed FDA regulations? Since when do we condone smoking of any sort as a way to improve or lessen symptoms of pain or nausea? Since when do we agree to let patients grow their own "medicine"? Since when do we allow a one-size dosage for all? Since when is it OK to condone breaking the law of the land to buy illegal drugs legally? [continues 112 words]
Twelve states have successfully implemented medical marijuana programs, and this carefully crafted initiative learns from their experience. It creates a statewide registry system, complete with ID cards, so that law enforcement officials can easily distinguish legitimate patients from those who are breaking the law, and it provides steep penalties for attempting to game the system. Finally, numerous prestigious organizations, like the Michigan Nurses Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, have endorsed medical marijuana. And while an orally administered synthetic exists, it contains only one of the 60-plus therapeutic chemical compounds found in marijuana, and pills pose obvious problems for cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced nausea. Proposal 1 is a compassionate law that will bring relief to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Zach Jarou East Lansing [end]
I am a medical student, and in a law and ethics class, my research project was on medical marijuana. Before my research, I had not given the subject much thought, but I am very convinced of the medicinal viability of marijuana now. Some of my findings were: . Marijuana was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia as a viable medicine up until 1942. . Chemo patients report lessening of nausea, increased appetites and ease of symptoms. . Marijuana lessens the "wasting syndrome," a chronic and debilitating condition of AIDS patients. [continues 89 words]
The language of the proposal puts the burden on patients to grow their own medicine -- up to 12 plants for home use. This is irresponsible and forces patients to act as their own unlicensed pharmacist. All other potent pain medications are regulated by the government, appropriately tested by the pharmaceutical industry, and cannot be made at home. Why this exception? The language of this proposal is wrongheaded and would not pass in the Legislature for good reason, as the changes it proposes would lack the proper oversight of government agencies. As we have seen recently, the lack of oversight in key areas that should have been under the purview of the government has had grim consequences in our economy and other sectors. [continues 62 words]
Inside Michigan
