cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot Issue Faces Test in Detroit Medical Pot Issue Faces Test in Detroit Posted by CN Staff on August 01, 2004 at 09:21:29 PT By Ignazio Messina, Blade Staff Reporter Source: Toledo Blade Supporters of a controversial initiative on the ballot Tuesday in Detroit that would legalize marijuana use for medical purposes are confident the measure will pass. The proposal would create an exception in the city code for patients who have a doctor's permission to use the drug.Tim Beck, chairman of the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care, said he knows passage of "Proposal M" wouldn't affect state and federal laws that prohibit marijuana use and allow prosecution of those possessing or using the drug, but he thinks it's an important first step. "We feel it's reprehensible that authorities and the government would keep medicine from people that need it," Mr. Beck said."I happened to be a medical marijuana user. I have a doctor's recommendation and I know that means nothing here in Detroit."He said studies have shown that marijuana helps people who have AIDS, glaucoma, and certain types of anxiety disorders.Voters in Ann Arbor face a similar ballot proposal in November, and if it is approved in both cities Mr. Beck said medical marijuana supporters will ask Michigan lawmakers to take action statewide.In Ann Arbor, the final ballot language has not been approved."I'm very confident we are going to win," he said.Bill Sanford, president and chief executive officer of the Compass Corporation for Recovery Services in Toledo, isn't convinced the measure is worthy of passage."I'm personally against it," he said. "It just opens the door and would lead to more abuse, misuse, and easier access to the drug."University of Toledo senior Chris Burnside, who founded the school's National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws chapter, hopes to bring a similar initiative to the ballot in Toledo."Of course I'm for it," Mr. Burnside said. "When it comes to patients' rights, I think that they need more options than just what Pfizer [pharmaceuticals] has to offer them … ."Source: Toledo Blade, The (OH) Author: Ignazio Messina, Blade Staff ReporterPublished: Sunday, August 01, 2004 Copyright: 2004 The Blade Contact: letters theblade.com Website: http://www.toledoblade.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:DMMIhttp://www.mmdetroit.org/Detroit Voters Can OK Pot for Pain http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19223.shtmlMedical Marijuana Initiative To Appear on Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19202.shtmlMedical Pot on Detroit, Ann Arbor Ballots http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19181.shtmlMedicinal Pot Headed To '04 Detroit Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17843.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 03, 2004 at 08:07:54 PT Good Luck Michael! Proposal Could Allow Medical Marijuana Use In DetroitClickOnDetroit.com August 3, 2004A proposal to legalize marijuana for medical purposes is one of the items Michigan voters will see on their ballots in Tuesday's primary elections. Proposal M would allow a doctor to prescribe marijuana to a person suffering intense pain, Local 4 reported. Detroit would become the first Midwestern city to pass such a measure, which former police officer Dan Solano said is needed, according to the report. Solano said on Local 4's "Flashpoint" last week that sick people are being put in jail for using marijuana to numb pain from AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis. "A friend of mine has MS, and she was taken to jail without her wheelchair because the officers could not fold up the wheelchair," Solano said. "So, yes. Patients do end up in jail." Several states already allow doctors to use marijuana as medicine, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, the station reported. Detroit's proposal reportedly has an important exemption, in which a doctor or any medical professional could authorize the use of marijuana. "On the ballot initiative, it indicates that people other than physicians can prescribe medical marijuana for people. The other includes nurses, social workers, veterinarians, etc.," Andrew Johnson of the Drug-Free Detroit Partnership said on "Flashpoint." "It will open Pandora's Box." The proposal would keep Detroit police from arresting a prescribed user, but the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and Michigan State Police said they will still enforce marijuana laws. Ann Arbor, Mich., will reportedly vote on a similar measure in November. Supporters plan to go statewide with the proposal, Local 4 reported. The polls remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040803/lo_wdiv/2314603 [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Jose Melendez on August 03, 2004 at 07:48:10 PT got meds? Good luck, Mike. The whole world is watching, and judging from the stories below from Africa and Las Vegas, not waiting to exhale:http://allafrica.com/stories/200408020855.html http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2125465&nav=8faOPTLn [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Michael Segesta on August 03, 2004 at 06:37:56 PT: Wish us luck Hi all --Please wish us some luck for a good turnout today. We think the higher the turnout, the better for us. My sense of the community is that we're in very good shape. Thanks,Mike Segesta [ Post Comment ] Post Comment