cannabisnews.com: Voters Exercise Power Tuesday Voters Exercise Power Tuesday Posted by CN Staff on August 03, 2004 at 08:24:39 PT By Amy Lee, The Detroit News Source: Detroit News More than 1 million Michigan voters are expected to cast ballots Tuesday to winnow candidates for the U.S. House, state House and numerous countywide and local races. Metro Detroit residents also will consider a host of ballot proposals, many of them requesting money for police and fire services. Detroiters will vote on the controversial issue of legalizing marijuana for medical use. About 1.4 million of Michigan’s 6.9 million registered voters — about 20 percent — are expected to cast ballots, said Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. The estimate is based on past primary turnouts, absentee voter activity and information provided by local officials. Tuesday’s vote will complete the nomination process for partisan races, with the general election following on Nov. 2. The U.S. president also will be decided at that time. Some local races, including Oakland County executive and many of those for state House, will be decided Tuesday because the winner in the primary faces no opposition in November. Auburn Hills resident Lisbeth Short, 36, said she plans to vote a primary for the first time, though she regularly votes in presidential elections. “I’m more hyped this year about politics, with the war and everything that’s going on,” she said. “I saw (the documentary) ‘Fahrenheit 9/11,’ and I guess I’m just more serious about having some say in where the country goes from here.” Detroit voters will step into the national spotlight when they consider legalizing the possession or use of marijuana for medical purposes under the direction of a physician or other licensed medical professional. Ann Arbor voters will consider a similar ballot proposal in November. Victory in both Detroit and Ann Arbor would likely lead to another attempt to make medical marijuana legal statewide. Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington all have passed similar measures. If it passes, Detroit would become the first city in the Midwest to pass such a law, though users could be subject to charges levied by Wayne County Sheriff’s deputies, Michigan State Police or federal drug agents. Controversy also has erupted over the tenure and reelection bid of Wayne County Clerk Raymond J. Wojtowicz, who faces opposition from four fellow Democrats. Wojtowicz has come under scrutiny for using an obscure law to get a commission each year on top of his $128,733 salary; no Republicans have filed to run for the seat. In Oakland County, a growing rift over the direction of the Republican Party has led to a host of Republicans pitted against each other in the key races for county executive, clerk and treasurer. Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who seeks a fourth term in the top post, has a comfortable lead over challengers Eileen Ambrose of West Bloomfield Township and Ed Hamilton of Troy, according to a recent telephone survey conducted by the Lansing-based EPIC/MRA research firm. And in Macomb County, the federal indictment and resignation of longtime Prosecutor Carl Marlinga has prompted a flood of candidates for the county’s top law enforcement job. Eleven candidates are vying for the seat Marlinga held for nearly two decades; he now faces federal campaign corruption charges. Source: Detroit News (MI)Author: Amy Lee, The Detroit NewsPublished: Monday, August 2, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Detroit News Contact: letters detnews.com Website: http://www.detnews.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:DMMIhttp://www.mmdetroit.org/Medical Pot Issue Faces Test in Detroithttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19256.shtmlDetroit Voters Can OK Pot for Pain http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19223.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 #1 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on August 03, 2004 at 11:51:26 PT Minneapolis MMJ initiative status? Did the Minneapolis medical marijuana initiative get on the ballot this year? Minneapolis marijuana initiative [ Post Comment ] Post Comment