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| Supporters Ponder Medical Marijuana for 2008 |
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Posted by CN Staff on January 02, 2007 at 09:50:17 PT By Drew Storey Source: Michigan Live 
Michigan -- For a majority of residents in the State of Michigan, legalizing the private use of marijuana is still something they are not willing to accept. Using the plant for medicinal purposes, however, has precedent set by 11 states in the union ranging from California's open-ended law that provides use for, "any illness for which marijuana provides relief," to Vermont's law only allowing those suffering from HIV or AIDS, cancer or Multiple Sclerosis to use. According to Tim Beck, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), polls indicate that residents are becoming more supportive of medicinal use of marijuana every year. "The demographic is changing. As baby boomers reach their prime voting age, percentages in favor of more relaxed laws concerning marijuana grow about two percent a year," said Beck. Flat out legalizing the use of marijuana, however, is still not in favor of the majority according to Beck. While several of the people involved in the attempt to get legalized personal use on the ballot in 2000 and 2002 now are part of NORML, the organization does not support the attempt to get the matter on the ballot for 2008. Legislation to authorize those with debilitating conditions to be prescribed marijuana, HB 5470, made it to a House committee where it died a month ago. Beck said that NORML is now seriously considering an effort to get the right to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, a proposal that would look very similar to the late HB 5470, on the 2008 ballot. According to Beck, the wording in the ballot proposal would run the middle of the road compared to California and Vermont laws. Though legalization for personal use is a goal of NORML, Beck said it is a priority to make it available to those who need it first. "We need to protect the weakest and most vulnerable first. Those people using marijuana to decrease pain or to increase appetite do not belong in jail," Beck said. Raphael Lematrie, spokesperson for the Office of National Drug Control policy said the push for medical marijuana is far from an effort to help the sick. "Marijuana is not modern medicine. No doctor is going to prescribe smoking a crude weed. It has not proven to be safe," said Lematrie. Marinol, produced by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, is a pill consisting of a synthetic THC: the relieving chemical found in marijuana. According to Lematrie, the pill is safe and prescribed for nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. "Legalizing this drug for medicinal use is just a sideshow," Lematrie said. "These so called grassroots movements' are well-funded organizations backed by a lot of money." Lematrie said that there is a reason efforts to legalize marijuana in Nevada, Colorado and to allow medicinal use in South Carolina all failed in a vote last November. "No city is going to benefit from increasing drug use," Lematrie said. Out of 11 states to legally allow marijuana to be used in a medicinal way, eight were a result of a favorable ballot vote. Only three were accomplished through the legislature. Source: Michigan Live (MI) Related Articles & Web Site: Michigan NORML Experts: Medical Marijuana Best as Pill Medical Marijuana Faces Big Hurdles Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #10 posted by Max Flowers on January 03, 2007 at 17:36:12 PT |
| That story IS outrageous, and it's beyond huge, I mean it's as massive as it gets regarding US gov't corruption and the financial peril it's about to wreak on us all. The fact that this story is nowhere to be seen anywhere in the media, with a top Bush financial official ARRESTED AND SUBPOENAED in Europe, is all the proof anyone needs that the media here is controlled and that we see on it only what they want us to see. That story put the fear in me big time... I'm afraid I really do expect the worst after reading that---financial collapse, depression, anarchy, bread lines, soup kitchens, the whole nine yards... and SOON. Whatever you may have, folks, make a point to enjoy it now while you can. And if you have the ability to transfer most of your assets out of federal reserve fiat currency (US $) and into precious metals or even Euros or British pounds, do it... if you think I'm overdramatizing, go to that link and read the whole thing. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 03, 2007 at 07:25:11 PT |
| Your welcome. I really hope Michigan gets on board with other states that have already. Good Luck to you. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #8 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 02, 2007 at 22:07:00 PT:
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| I just wanted to see if there was any discussion about this article so I could then voice my opinion. Michigan has been talking about MMJ a lot recently. I hope we can build on this increasing momentum and get us a ballot initiative. Again, thanks FoM [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #7 posted by ChristenMitchell on January 02, 2007 at 18:41:58 PT:
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| I believe I posted about the censorship of the Iran/Euro story. Here's an outrageous story that can't be found in the US media. US Treasury Secretary Arrested in Germany, VP Cheney to be issued Summons. http://www.worldreports.org/news/38_paulson_and_cheney_s Incensed over censorship I wrote a LTE to Boulder's Daily Camera. They printed it, but changed the headline from US Media Censorship. The letter ended with "US media seems to have more blood on their hands than ink." Many thanks to Mayan and others for their links that keep us informed on the off topic. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 02, 2007 at 18:34:26 PT |
| I sure did see Keith's Commentary tonight. I was on my way out of the room and he started and I sat down with my eyes wide open and couldn't believe what he was saying. He really is doing a great job and I hope he has adequate security. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by Wayne on January 02, 2007 at 18:21:00 PT |
| Yeah, I feel ya mayan. Our Attorney General here in FL just got elected governor too. He's promised to take care of the homeowners' insurance crisis that he's sat on for the last 4 years. Again, go figure... I'm glad that they're finally going after Mike Nifong in NC. Justice is finally being served to the other side of the table, for a change. I say take all the AG's and DA's, kick 'em all to the curb, and let computers do their jobs for free. They're all equally worthless in my mind. If anyone has aggravated this War on Some Drugs, it's definitely got to be renegade moral-majority lawyers like him. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Wayne on January 02, 2007 at 18:14:48 PT |
| I wonder if you caught Keith O tonight, FoM. He absolutely tore Bush to shreds in his commentary. He got so angry, he was literally spitting into the camera. I was actually a bit stunned. Read the commentary or catch a rerun if you get a chance... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by mayan on January 02, 2007 at 18:10:53 PT |
| "The demographic is changing. As baby boomers reach their prime voting age, percentages in favor of more relaxed laws concerning marijuana grow about two percent a year," said Beck. Yes, time is running out for the fascists! Every single day our numbers grow while the prohibitionist's ranks dwindle. The are becoming a very lonely bunch. Time is on our side! In unrelated news, welcome to the new year of fear... City's Subways Ripe for Attack, Balboni Warns: http://www.nysun.com/article/45957?access=360759 And let's not forget that Spitzer refused to investigate the 9/11 inside job when he was N.Y. Attorney General. Now he's the governor. Go figure! THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN... Reopen 9/11 investigation, local group says: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006612310307 Local WI News Reports on 9/11 Truth (video): http://911blogger.com/node/5348 Petition For 9/11 Truth On Prime Minister's Website: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/9-11-Truth/ Best of 9/11 Truth Media, 2006: http://www.digitalstyledesigns.com/pages/Best2006.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 02, 2007 at 15:13:15 PT |
| I'm sorry it took so long. We had company so I was away for a while. Here it is. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 02, 2007 at 12:02:06 PT:
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| a direct link to this article by any chance? I can't seem to find it on the MLive website. thanks oh and by the way.....Happy New Year Everyone! And May Our Army Of Activists Get Even Stronger In 2007!! [ Post Comment ] |
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