cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Petitions Are Ready for Review Marijuana Petitions Are Ready for Review Posted by CN Staff on June 06, 2007 at 06:01:19 PT By Chris Andrews, Lansing State Journal Source: Lansing State Journal Michigan -- George Griffiths of Delhi Township would like to see marijuana legalized. But at a minimum, he believes it should be available to ease the suffering of seriously ill patients."I've always considered that the so-called war on drugs has been almost as disastrous as Iraq," said Griffiths, 78, who signed a petition last week to put the medical marijuana measure on the 2008 ballot. Supporters of medical marijuana will ask the Board of State Canvassers today to approve the petition forms they have been using for two weeks. Within the next six months, they will need to collect 304,101 valid signatures to put the measure before voters.Momentum has been building in Michigan, as five cities have adopted ordinances to permit medical marijuana.Twelve states have enacted such laws. Supporters want to add Michigan to the list."If it's limited to medical marijuana there is generally support," said Ed Sarpolus, vice president of the Lansing polling firm EPIC-MRA."If it's legalized marijuana, the answer is no. People do make a distinction."Under the Michigan proposal, people with a variety of debilitating conditions could legally grow and use marijuana if their doctor recommends it. They would need to register with the Michigan Department of Community Health and get a state-pictured identification card."This is something that would be a decision between the doctor and their patient as to what treatment would be best for the individual," said Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, which is making the push. "Not all medicines work the same from one individual to the next."Byrum said medical marijuana laws have been endorsed by a number of national health groups, including the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Nurses Association. But in Michigan, the Michigan State Medical Society opposes medical marijuana except in regulated research.Dr. Kenneth Elmassian, an anesthesiologist who is on the group's board of directors, said other medicines are available for pain and symptom control. "Obviously, marijuana has euphoria to it. ... Whether or not it has true analgesic properties, pain relief properties, might be suspect or questionable."Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said legalizing medical marijuana would be a huge mistake."How would you enforce this once it became enacted?" he asked. "Everybody's going to say they've got some ailment whether they've got a prescription for it or not."Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said such a law would be difficult to regulate. Drug dealers could still be prosecuted, he said, and patients could even potentially face prosecution under federal law. He also said it would be difficult to set up an effective distribution system because of federal laws.But Byrum said other states have had success.There have been five marijuana ballot proposals submitted to Michigan's Board of State Canvassers since 1994. None has made it to the ballot. This is the first one targeting medical use.Note: Backers to submit forms to state board on medicinal use.Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)Author: Chris Andrews, Lansing State JournalPublished: June 6, 2007Copyright: 2007 Lansing State JournalWebsite: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/Contact: http://www.lsj.com/contactus/ltr_editor.htmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://stoparrestingpatients.org/Medical Marijuana Use Initiative Launches in Mich.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23001.shtml Experts: Medical Marijuana Best as Pillhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22484.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #46 posted by Hope on June 07, 2007 at 10:59:12 PT "Where's the compassion?" The compassionless are trying to, and doing a very good job, of wiping it out.We are controlled by compassionless corporations and industries. Insurance once was insurance. Now, Insurance companies rule the world with their threats, rules, and regulations...and the governing conspired with them. It's the "Bottom Line", everywhere, that killed any ideas of "compassion".Fear, ignorance, and greed rule the day. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by FoM on June 07, 2007 at 09:52:01 PT Hope Thank you. There are issues that are used that aren't really important to me but the politicians make a big deal out of nothing and we never see anything accomplished that has any substance. I was surprised when not even one of the Republicans in the debate raised their hand when asked about Gays in the military. I read where Gays have served in the war and when they are getting out they are discharged or something close to that. It seems like they use them and discard them. Where's the compassion? [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by Hope on June 07, 2007 at 09:37:41 PT Immigration... I'm more upset about the prisons....prisons...prisons and the persecution and prosecution of so many. Not enough education, not enough medical care....and prisons, prisons, laws, fees, regulations....and prisons. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on June 07, 2007 at 09:34:52 PT Politicians and other people do argue and carry on about illegal immigration. I don't. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by Hope on June 07, 2007 at 09:30:50 PT South Texas has always been "run by" and heavily dominated by Americans of Mexican heritage. They've always been there and they always will be...until none of us are. They are people. I've never considered the color of a person skin as anything to "mark" them in some way.I've been lucky enough to meet people of all nationalities and colors throughout my life. I've never been a racist, nor has any of my family. This was once a busy, busy farm area. The Dutch and Eastern Europeans came and bought up the farms and turned them into huge mega producing farms. Milking cows all day long. Huge herds. Then the little farmer went out of business. Then the middle farmers went out of business. Then the big farms run Nederlander style, started sinking. I can show you miles of deserted dairy farms in any direction from where I sit.B Green...I do revere you in so many ways. I think of you as Brother Green and my "partner in crime". :0)I've actually wondered why I've never seen a Rasta Man here....maybe they had their dreds up in a cap when they passed me by.This is a place of harsh laws and drug warriors and many, many Robo Cops out to save you from yourself...even if it kills you. There's a trigger happy Barney Fife element always there to back up the Robo saviors. I don't think Rastas care to travel to this neck of the woods. I can't say as I blame them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on June 07, 2007 at 05:43:13 PT Medical Marijuana Petition Approved http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070342/1001/news [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by FoM on June 07, 2007 at 05:39:57 PT Hope Thank you. You sure have a cross section of people in your area. What I mean is all the politicians are arguing about Mexican immigration and how do people near the border think that the issue can be resolved. I saw a program on tv that showed a 30 foot deep tunnel so a fence won't stop people because they'll just dig more and deeper tunnels. I don't think that it can be stopped because I believe that Mexicans are trying to get their country back and it is a mission for many of them. I'm just guessing though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by BGreen on June 07, 2007 at 01:59:57 PT I know where they are, Hope I have seen everyone and everything here but the Rasta Man.Have you checked the local jail?Them there are those dope smokin' communists the Barney Fife's love to get their hands on.The Reverend Bud GreenBTW, Hope, I am not to be revered, nor do I ask anybody to treat me any differently than anybody else just because I use the descriptive title of "Reverend."I am an ordained Minister and I take great joy in bringing back the love, peace and compassion that have been brutally removed from our Heavenly God by the vast majority of men and women who use the Most Powerful to gain power for themselves.I'm not a Pastor (most remind me of cult leaders,) but I am a Minister. I am not to be revered but I am a representative of the Most Revered.You can call me Bud or BGreen or whatever you feel comfortable with. However, the "Reverend" in my title lets you know you can also call me if you know somebody that wants to get 'hitched.' :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 22:13:41 PT Immigration? Of who?Mexicans? As long as they aren't killers or theives and are willing to work, what's the problem?We have a very large amount of middle easterners and oriental that live in this area. They have become rather dense to this area and they aren't always very friendly. We have always had rather a lot of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people living here...but it seemed kind of a bit like Pakistan, India, and Morroco immigrated in a veritable flood to this area about thirty or so years ago. We have Amish, Mexican, Dutch, Friesian, German, and quite a few people of Eastern Europeaon origin. Immigration to this area increased, notably, after the Vietnam war...and has increased dramatically.We have people who have recently migrated from Nawlins and stayed. They often stand out as new people and spend more time "out and about" than s lot of our older neighbors.It's been a very long time since I knew nearly everyone in town to one degree or another.I have seen everyone and everything here but the Rasta Man. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 21:20:12 PT Comment on Medical Marijuana By Romney Excerpt: Romney said he had not studied issues involving the medicinal use of marijuana but would look at it. Romney answered the question of a person who said she used marijuana to manage pain. Romney said he did not anticipate running on a platform to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/22rzp8 [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by Storm Crow on June 06, 2007 at 19:16:52 PT A bunch of BS! "Obviously, marijuana has euphoria to it. ... Whether or not it has true analgesic properties, pain relief properties, might be suspect or questionable."Does it really matter? The patients FEEL BETTER! And what exactly is wrong with feeling GOOD? And yes, for your personal information, it DOES kill pain, Dr. Elmassian! But the pharmaceutical industry can't make their mega-bucks off of an easy to grow plant! Who ya goina believe? Big Pharma or someone who actually gets relief from their pain? And while you consider that, think hard on "First, do no harm"! How many die from "safe" Big Pharma medicines? How many die from inhaling cannabis? [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 13:40:04 PT Hope a Question When you have time and can think about a question I sure would like to know your opinion. The immigration issue really doesn't affect me where I live so it's really hard to know what people want who live near the border. What do you feel would be a fair solution? [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 12:24:52 PT fight_4_freedom I voted and it is currently at 71% in favor. That's really good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by The GCW on June 06, 2007 at 12:15:46 PT fight 4 freedom, Thank You for the great work You're doing.You know people around the globe appreciate it.And thanx for the POLL.! [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 12:09:25 PT DjLoTi I don't know what NAU is. To me a government is to work for the people of the country and for their best interest. I don't see a place in a democracy for big business since big business seeks it's own interests and the interests of the people aren't important because they are not governed by a conscience just how to make more money.My connection speed is good because I haven't gone over the limit. At least I know now how to prevent that from happening again but I miss watching special music videos. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by DjLoTi on June 06, 2007 at 11:55:03 PT :-/ Yeah, That sucks. I'm sorry. That was a pretty good video though. I have at least 1 more videos that are really good... that I'll post sometime later :-) About corporations. And the NAU. Have you heard about the NAU? I'll post the link soon :-) Scary stuff... government and corporations ... how they try to end liberty and right and control everything.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 11:51:30 PT DjLoTi Thank you but I can't risk it. They changed the policy on HughesNet and if you go over you get slowed down to about the slowest isp any of us has ever seen. I watched two Neil Young videos on Youtube last night and used up have of my allowed use for 24 hours. The first time it happened to me was after I watched the google video you posted. I didn't know until then that they changed the policy unfortunately. It was horrible just trying to do news for 24 hours until they lifted the punishment. I really have a hard time anymore with big corporations and their power over us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by DjLoTi on June 06, 2007 at 11:44:26 PT Ok, here's my cut 7 MB, 15 minutes http://www.mediafire.com/?dbzx04ytcfe [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 06, 2007 at 11:37:07 PT: poll Heres a poll on the Lansing State Journal's website that goes along with this article. Vote Yes! [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by DjLoTi on June 06, 2007 at 11:28:31 PT Actually.. I can probably edit the mp3 file so that it's smaller and shorter [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by DjLoTi on June 06, 2007 at 11:12:53 PT FoM Here is an MP3 instead of a video. :-) Guess I should have gone to the page first lol :)http://www.norml.org/audio/audio_stash/NORML_Daily_AudioStash_05_24_2007.mp3From: http://www.normlaudiostash.com/I didn't find a text transcript though :-( [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 10:46:28 PT DjLoTi Do you think NORML will have a transcript of the talk? I can't watched videos that I really don't care to see or I am wasting my bandwidth and will get shut down to a crawl for 24 hours. If they post a transcript I would check it out. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by DjLoTi on June 06, 2007 at 10:31:18 PT Ron Paul interviewed by NORML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8t7jqis2Mc - part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZJSHYPkWbo - part 2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 10:22:43 PT Sam Thank you. Being against, at the bare minimum, medical marijuana is so out of step with what society wants it makes me wonder if they even care about the people at all or only care about big money, corporations and capitalism. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Sam Adams on June 06, 2007 at 10:14:49 PT Rudy If anyone's wondering about Rudy and MJ, don't. He took New York from a policy of near-total decrim to 70,000 arrests per year. I belive they were arresting less than 1000 people per year for MJ before he took over.Some of my friends lived in NY at the time. I specifically remember my friend Chris who actually got arrested in Central Park in the early 90's. I remember he said when the cops came up to him & his friend, sitting off on a park bench, they were indredulous. They said to the cops, C'mon it's just a joint, it's no problem right? They said the cops were very professional and courteous and said "It's because of Guiliani" and then they handcuffed Chris & took him away (he's a stockbrocker, btw).Guiliani also waged a war against the arts community in NYC for years also. Several times he intervened to stop exhibits he thought were too scandalous.Basically he was a tyrant who turned the police force of NYC into an occupying army. He scares me more than any of the 25 or so candidates right now for sure. Any of the current crop of candidates would be better than him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 10:07:58 PT Rudy: No on Medical Marijuana June 6, 2007http://www.reason.com/blog/show/120589.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Sam Adams on June 06, 2007 at 09:14:20 PT 2 and a half Thanks guys, excellent! I think MPP used one ounce in South Dakota last year, this is much better. They are paying signature collectors because it's very difficult to gather 300,000 signatures with people that also to go their paying jobs. This is a very exciting project, it is sure to win and it will be a nice payoff for all the people that have worked hard up there for many years. Good luck!I see in the paper that Big Pharm is in trouble again. This time, Pfizer has been killing off diabetes patients. Whoops! [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 09:05:39 PT "The times...they are a changin" and I got to go work on my "masterpiece".Later.:0) [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 09:02:25 PT "The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind." [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:59:09 PT I don't know if that's background.... or the teenager is already whining about Bob!Nah.It's background. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:57:53 PT "I would not feel so all alone...." :0) [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 06, 2007 at 08:56:51 PT: heres a link to a pdf version of the initiative.let me know if it works Michigan Medical Marijuana Act [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:54:07 PT That wish, that you not grow weary in doing what is right, is for you, Fight_4_Freedom.Thank you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:52:45 PT Gotta go find some Bob to play... As long as I'm listening to this...I can't help but ponder some of the scriptures and use them in my posts.They seem so synchronistic or serendipitous. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 06, 2007 at 08:52:29 PT: I guess they figure paying the petitioners will ensure this initiative a spot on the ballot in 08'. Not that any of us NEED to be paid to do this. But it certainly will get more people out petitioning. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by ekim on June 06, 2007 at 08:51:56 PT good going F4 F many events are underway with art fairs and film fairs the renewable energy fair june 22-24 glrea.org good luck [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:49:08 PT "Do not grow weary in doing what is right". [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:47:58 PT Paid petitioners... I'm aware of the practice. In fact...I hope they get rich...the petitioners...that is.But why? And who? [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 06, 2007 at 08:47:35 PT: Ekim You beat me to the punch! Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 08:46:09 PT Paid petitioners? Why and who? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 06, 2007 at 08:45:19 PT: Hope and FOM..... Thanks for the encouragement! I have been waiting for this. And now is our time to shine.And Sam here ya go....4. Protections for the Medical Use of Marihuana. Sec. 4. (a) A qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identification card shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with this act, provided that the qualifYing patient possesses an amount of marihuana that does not exceed 2.5 ounces of usable marihuana, and, if the qualifying patient has not specified that a primary caregiver will be allowed under state law to cultivate marihuana for the qualifying patient. 12 marihuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility. Any incidental amount of seeds, stalks, and unusable roots shall also be allowed under state law and shall not be included in this amount. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by ekim on June 06, 2007 at 08:43:02 PT 2and a halfoz and 12 plants the people are being paid a dollar a signer [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on June 06, 2007 at 08:29:47 PT plants Anybody know what the number of plants and amount of medicine will be allowed under the initiative? I hope it's not another 1-ouncer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 06, 2007 at 07:53:15 PT fight_4_freedom I wish you and Michigan great success! Go for it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Hope on June 06, 2007 at 07:44:25 PT Fight_4_freedom Grace and Power to you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 06, 2007 at 07:42:05 PT: I will be out gathering signatures today! We will easily get this on the ballot. This will still be an uphill battle with all the forces out there that will try to stop this. But I believe we have enough soldiers to get us up and over that hill.And The Truth Shall Set Us Free! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment