THE CASE FOR PROP 1
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.
Medical experts say the measure would help people suffering from such afflictions as HIV/AIDS, cancer, Hepatitis C., Crohn's disease, Alzheimers and multiple sclerosis. Twelve other states have similar laws in place, and it appears to be effective.
Opponents say similar laws have increased the illegal use of marijuana in some states, especially California where they allege "pot shops" have started up.
Safeguards against improper use appear to be in place, at least in theory, under the Michigan proposal. First of all, marijuana use must be doctor-prescribed. Anyone caught lying about their medical condition or distributing marijuana to others would be barred from future participation in the program and face the existing state law against illegal possession of marijuana. That law calls for punishment of up to one year in prison and $2,000 in fines. Illegal dealers really get the book thrown at them: up to 15 years in jail and up to $10 million in fines - and that's for first-time offenders.
The Michigan Department of Community Health would create a state medical marijuana registry. Each medically approved user would be given an identification card. A very high standard would be applied before anyone could secure a card. Proposal 1 would also protect those who are primary caregivers who handle/administrator to sick family members or friends. Currently, these caregivers are labeled as illegal drug dealers. The law would require all marijuana used for medical purposes to be under lock and key.
Marijuana card carriers would not be permitted to smoke in public places or near schools or prisons. Driving while using it would be prohibited, also. The workplace would also be off limits.
A poll in late September conducted by Lansing's EPIC-MIRA professional survey organization found that residents supported the measure, 59 to 37 percent. Sixty-three percent of women favored it, compared to 51 percent of men.
In one corner, you have the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care which states we need to help people in such dire situations. In the opposite corner are the Citizens for Traditional Values, a group that claims allowing marijuana for medical purposes could have long-range physical and medical consequences.
In one corner, you have medical organizations, individual physicians and other health care professionals supporting the issue. In the opposite corner, you have medical organizations, physicians and health care professionals in opposition.
Even Washington brought some big guns into our state in an effort to shoot down the proposal. John Walton, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, made a special trip to proclaim that Proposal 1 proponents are relying on sympathy, not hard facts. Scott Burns, U.S. Deputy Drug Czar, came out here, also, and he warned: "This issue is about dope - not medicine."
The coalition for compassionate care responds by saying this is all about compassionate law to protect severely ill patients.
I should note that the 12 states that have similar marijuana laws on the books are in conflict with federal law, which prohibits marijuana use. It's obvious where the White House guy and drug czar get their motivation.
I may be old fashion, born way ahead of the marijuana era, but I'm a realist. I have seen cancer, Alzheimers and other illnesses get a strangle hold on members of my family and my friends. For me, this is a personal issue, as it is for every Michigan voter.
Always remember, many of the patients who would benefit from this are terminal.
Believe me, no White House politico or federal drug czar will control my mind, or my heart.
I'm against illegal use of drugs, but I also know all about compassion. One more important and highly respected influence on me:
my wife, Sue, who is a registered nurse.
I know where I stand on Proposal 1.
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THE CASE FOR PROP 1 
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