cannabisnews.com: Detroit OKs Medical Use of Marijuana





Detroit OKs Medical Use of Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on August 04, 2004 at 15:57:41 PT
By Shawn D. Lewis, The Detroit News
Source: Detroit News 
City voters decided Tuesday that Detroiters with a doctor's prescription may smoke marijuana, but that doesn't guarantee they could escape prosecution. In a victory some consider more symbolic than substantive, Detroit voters approved legalizing the drug for medical purposes, 59 percent to 41 percent, or 38,604 votes to 26,497. It's a ruling that's expected to face a legal challenge.
Despite the support, there is no formal mechanism in place to purchase the drug. Users must first get a doctor to write a prescription that can't simply be filled by the corner pharmacist. Proposal M does not change state or federal laws outlawing marijuana use. Detroiters caught with marijuana still could be prosecuted for possession. Proponents of the proposal, including the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care, said marijuana is necessary to alleviate pain in certain medical conditions including glaucoma and cancer. Television host Montel Williams uses medical marijuana to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. But opponents said it was a smoke screen to bring more drugs onto the streets and to eventually change state and federal drug laws. “I'm disappointed but determined,” said Oakland County Deputy Prosecutor Jim Halushka. “This is the first step to overhauling all the drug laws. It's not about helping sick people. It's just an excuse to get high.” Halushka was among about 50 opponents of the measure who attended a rally in Detroit last month. The event brought together city and suburban leaders, who stood shoulder to shoulder below a banner reading, “Not in my state, not in my county, not in my city, not in my neighborhood.” Detroit City Councilwoman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi, who has fought vigorously against drugs and alcohol in the city, and who also attended the rally, expected to be celebrating a victory Tuesday evening. Now, Halushka said, they need to redouble their efforts to educate the public before the Ann Arbor vote on the proposal in November. There already are nine states that have either reduced penalties and/or legalized marijuana for medical use, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Isa Azzouz, deputy director of Detroit elections, said he doesn't expect the issue to withstand a court challenge. But for now, Halushka said it's back to the drawing board. “We need to put our heads together and figure out our next step,” he said. Note: Decision thrusts city into U.S. spotlight; legal challenge likely.Source: Detroit News (MI)Author: Shawn D. Lewis, The Detroit NewsPublished: Wednesday, August 4, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Detroit News Contact: letters detnews.com Website: http://www.detnews.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:DMMIhttp://www.mmdetroit.org/Detroit Voters Approve Allowing Med Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19279.shtmlMedical Use of Marijuana Nears a Winhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19278.shtmlDetroit Voters Consider Allowing Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19272.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #1 posted by Jose Melendez on August 07, 2004 at 04:18:46 PT
reasons, not excuses
from: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread19302.shtml#2"Every one of our body's organized systems makes and responds to marijuana-like compounds: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, excretory, immunological, nervous, reproductive and respiratory," says Dr. Robert Melamede, head of the biology department at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs). Endogenous (natural in the body) cannabinoids and their receptors are popping up everywhere, and showing beneficial effects in animal and clinical (human) studies.Beyond the traditional symptomatic relief for nausea in cancer and AIDS patients, or pain and spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis sufferers, cannabinoids may actually retard the progression of diseases like MS, Alzheimer's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, compounds in marijuana are showing anti-tumor effects and protective properties in the brain and heart tissue of stroke and heart attack victims, and those exposed to nerve gas. "When they say marijuana destroys your brain, they have it exactly wrong," says Melamede. "Marijuana protects your brain, from the lack of oxygen and neurotoxins." The U.S. army is investigating the matter, and one research team in Spain is shrinking human brain tumors by injecting them with cannabinoids.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment