cannabisnews.com: Michigan To Vote on Legalizing MJ for Medical Use Michigan To Vote on Legalizing MJ for Medical Use Posted by CN Staff on April 29, 2008 at 05:20:18 PT By Charlie Cain, Detroit News Lansing Bureau Source: Detroit News Michigan -- Rochelle Lampkin is a 49-year-old grandmother of 10 who used to picket in front of dope houses in her Detroit neighborhood, chanting "this is wrong, shut it down." Today, she knowingly breaks the law by using marijuana to ease searing eye pain -- a side-effect of the multiple sclerosis that struck her more than 20 years ago. She must use a cane or walker to get around. Lampkin is among the enthusiastic supporters of a proposal that will be on Michigan's fall ballot to legalize marijuana use by the terminally and seriously ill. If voters approve it, Michigan would become the 13th state to legalize medical marijuana for the treatment of a host of health problems such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's disease. Sponsors say as many as 50,000 Michigan residents, including Lampkin, would qualify for the medical pot. "Years ago, I was at an MS group meeting and someone suggested I try marijuana because it can help with the pain and the eye problems," Lampkin recalled. "I said: 'I'm not doing that. It's dope.' " But the flare-ups of optic neuritis convinced her to change her mind about four years ago. "You have enough pain, you'll try anything," she said. "Somebody gave me a marijuana cigarette and I puffed on it a couple times and got relief from the pain behind my eyes. I was shocked that it worked." But she didn't like the smell or the coughing that came from smoking a joint. So today, she uses illegally obtained marijuana to make a tea that brings her relief. Pot Still Illegal in Feds' Eyes Michigan, with its scheduled Nov. 4 vote, is at the forefront of the national debate that has percolated since 1996, when California voters approved medical marijuana. U.S. law classifies marijuana, like heroin and LSD, as a Schedule I controlled substance. That means it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration regards medical marijuana users, even in states that have approved its use, as lawbreakers. And in 2005 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state laws approving medical marijuana don't bring with them immunity from federal prosecution. But as a practical matter the experience in other states shows that medical marijuana users who follow the state law are not legally hassled, according to the spokeswoman for the Michigan group backing the ballot proposal. "Ninety-nine percent of drug laws are enforced by state law enforcement agencies. And in states with medical marijuana laws, as long as the person is conforming with state law (such as limiting the amount of marijuana a person can possess), there are virtually no arrests," said Dianne Byrum of Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, which collected a half-million petition signatures. "It's been highly successful in those states. The sky is not falling." Michigan's law enforcement community overwhelmingly opposes the ballot proposal. "It's not a good idea and most practicing physicians who work in pain management know there are better and more effective medicines to deal with the issue rather than using marijuana," said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard. He said he believes the true agenda of those backing the Michigan ballot proposal is to legalize marijuana for everyone. "This is the only nose under the tent that has resonance with citizens because everyone wants to help relieve the pain and suffering of individuals, including those of us in law enforcement," he said. "But this is a guise to advance the process of legalization." A poll of 600 voters in mid-March, conducted by Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group, found that two-thirds favored it. 2 Doctors Take Different Sides The medical establishment isn't of a single mind on the effectiveness of marijuana as medicine. Dr. George Wagoner, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist from Manistee, is a believer. Beverly, his wife of 51 years, died in July of ovarian cancer. She developed intense nausea from chemotherapy, and anti-nausea drugs didn't help much. "One drug cost $46.20 a pill and didn't help," he said. "Another made her hallucinate so she refused to take it." Wagoner told some friends that he knew marijuana could help, but he didn't know where to get it. A short time later one gave him a half-ounce of marijuana. "She took two puffs and said, 'It's gone. My nausea is gone,' " he said. Wagoner is angry he had to break the law to comfort his wife. "It's legal to dispense drugs like morphine and Demerol but it's not legal to dispense marijuana, which has such a beneficial effect for some people who are desperate and in terrible trouble. I think that's outrageous," he said. Dr. Thomas George takes a different view. He's a state senator who spent five years as medical director for Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, which provides care for terminally ill people. "The ballot proposal is unnecessary because we already have legal medical marijuana in pill form," he said The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does allow the use of two pills that are derivatives of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and it is considering approval of a spray. George said smoked marijuana carries too many health risks and its effects don't last long enough. "Take glaucoma as an example," he said. "If you have elevated pressure in the eyeballs, you need medicine that lasts 24 hours, and smoking a joint once in a while doesn't work." Lynn Allen, a 51-year-old Williamston man who is a hemophiliac and contracted HIV/AIDS through blood work, said the pills don't live up to their billing. "I have pain, lack of appetite and weight loss -- those are my three biggies," said Allen, a married father of two. He is confined to a wheelchair and can't work because he lacks stamina. "I'm going through $600 worth of Marinol each month and it has real drawbacks, including that it can take hours to kick in," he said. Allen says he hasn't used marijuana since his college days but would be eager to try it again if the ballot proposal succeeds. "I think the referendum is an opportunity for people to help others who are in very desperate straits, people with cancer and very debilitating illnesses," he said. The Michigan State Medical Society has a longstanding policy of opposition to medical marijuana, although it does support further research to determine its medicinal value. But it has not yet taken an official position on the November ballot proposal. David Fox, spokesman for the 15,000-member doctors' group, said physicians will decide whether to endorse or oppose the initiative at the annual meeting of the 400-member House of Delegates on May 4 in Dearborn. Backers of medical marijuana got a big boost in February when the American College of Physicians, which represents 124,000 internal medicine specialists, issued a position paper that calls for expanded research into the potential therapeutic role of marijuana, noting that various medical "reports suggest numerous potential medical uses for marijuana." The prominent group recommended marijuana be reclassified by the federal government to make that research possible, and said doctors who prescribe it and patients who use it shouldn't be subject to federal prosecution in states that where it is legal. 5 Mich. Cities OK Medical Pot A campaign financial report shows the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care spent more than $1.1 million through March. Virtually all of the money came from the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., the nation's largest marijuana reform organization with 21,000 members. It has successfully championed medical marijuana measures in other states and in general favors decriminalizing its use. Byrum, a former state legislator, noted that since 2004, five Michigan cities have passed largely symbolic ordinances to allow medical marijuana: Detroit, Ferndale, Ann Arbor, Flint and Traverse City. "We believe it's good public policy and studies show that in states that have this law it's basically been a non-issue for law enforcement and has no impact on teen drug use," she said. Complete Title: Michigan To Vote on Legalizing Marijuana for Medical UseSource: Detroit News (MI)Author: Charlie Cain, Detroit News Lansing BureauPublished: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Copyright: 2008 The Detroit News Contact: letters detnews.com Website: http://www.detnews.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/Panel Certifies Medical Marijuana Initiative http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23803.shtmlMed Pot Proposal On Its Way To Michigan's Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23725.shtmlMedical Marijuana Proposal Advances in Michiganhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23724.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by museman on April 30, 2008 at 11:22:52 PT cannabis freedom fighters&the prohib "Today Jefferson would be doing a 10 year stretch in a federal prison & the US government would seize Monticello."Actually, I believe he would be holed up with the Souix, armed to the teeth, fomenting the way overdue 'revolution every 50 years' he suggested.Yes, reality played a more visible role in American life before the revolution, and Alex Hamilton sold us out to the Bank of England, and the actual then world-bank in the hands of the Dutch, establishing the elitist-supporting format of credit-debt as our 'medium of exchange.'Cannabis is known by wisdom as the most useful plant under the sun, but held in contemmpt by ignorant fools, who lick the boots of the status quo in disgusting displays of humans acting like dogs. (no insult to the dog-tribe intended) And what is it with 'a pill for this, and a pill for that?' I've about had it with these frauds called doctors, overpaid, overrated, underskilled, and totally untrustworthy. Where have all the healers gone? Oh that's right they've been made illegal. One cannot heal without a license, a "credited" medical certification, and the contract to cut the gov/banks in on the deal.Bah. Lets see 'em try to stop me. I've seen their bars, and been at the mercy of their jack-boots, but the truth has always served me well, and my liberty was never in jeopardy. (though when first entombed in their concrete I did have pause to wonder...)DO you read me you pretenders and posers? Do you understand that I am free, and that your laws and impositions can only be made to work at the point of your 38-special surrogate penises? Why don't all you cops, lawyers, doctors, politicians, bankers, and other do-nothings called 'professionals' get a real job, and learn what real effort and labor is about. At the very least, get out of the way, for your own good, or you will be trampled in the release of reason and sanity you have tried to bottle and control for so long. It's over. You prohibs are all 'dead-men-walking' as long as you cling to the death-worship you try to put over on the world.Your death rattle is geting loud, hurry up and die will you? [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on April 30, 2008 at 10:42:31 PT Hope Before I go and get to work I did a search for Barbaro's brother. I thought you might like to see the picture.http://www.bloodhorse.com/images/content/Nicanor_GabrielDejesusUp_LER.jpg [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on April 30, 2008 at 10:29:41 PT Hope I am so anxious to get this nomination process over. After Obama wins I will feel so much better and Hillary is out of the picture. Maybe then we will be able to get questions answered about our topic. He talks about the drug problem but not marijuana exclusively. I feel we are in limbo for now. I guess we need to enjoy the time of year and stay patient. Clinton is so nasty and just doesn't know when it's time to give up. Oh well soon we will be back on track. Patience is a virtue but it sure is hard to wait for her to concede. Have a great day. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 30, 2008 at 09:59:55 PT Hope Thank you. I voted. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Hope on April 30, 2008 at 09:41:48 PT Cyber survery at Detroit News. http://tinyurl.com/5hcuhv [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by ekim on April 29, 2008 at 20:01:11 PT Sen. Tom you only need half or less--as you sleep barrs washpost.com Mr. Barr, Thank you for the info in your column today. A fresh look at expensive drugs might be provided by President Thomas Jefferson. For serious pain he grew poppies from which he produced opium. For less serious pain he produced cannabis. Cost per dose was in the pennies. Last year a LEAP board member was receiving chemo for her brain cancer. For the nausea she purchased three 118 dollar pills from the pharmacy. Everyone knows that cannabis is excellent w/ few side effects to control nausea. If legal and grown in the back yard a la Jefferson the cost would be pennies per dose. Today Jefferson would be doing a 10 year stretch in a federal prison & the US government would seize Monticello. Is he spinning in his grave? Your thoughts? Howard Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired)Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc)Washington, DCHablo espanol, je parle francais, Deutsch auch Howard J. Wooldridge4619 Araby Church RoadFrederick, MD 21704301-694-0502817-975-1110 Cell301-694-0512 Faxwooldridge leap.cc The War on Drugs is the most disastrous, dysfunctional & immoral policy since slavery. The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by gloovins on April 29, 2008 at 19:48:47 PT another LEO DR wannabe... This Bouchard Oakland Co Leo is outta control..."It's not a good idea and most practicing physicians who work in pain management know there are better and more effective medicines to deal with the issue rather than using marijuana," Oh thanks, are you a doctor now? How about those Dr.s who prescribed Vioxx, Heparin etc that later turned out to be flawed medicines thanks to our brilliant FDA and BigPharm. How many people died because of these bad meds??? How many people have died because one of these INSANE pain management DOCTORS recommended &/or prescribed cannabis & they died? None.What would you rather have some child get to if, like children, they found out some way to get access to a parents cannabis or your liquor bottles? The garden or booze??We all know the answer.This cop, well, I thought of a saying the other day: Ignorance is bliss when you have an arch nemesis...Please practice law enforcement, not medicine Mike... [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by charmed quark on April 29, 2008 at 15:53:59 PT I'd rather grow than manufacture my drug I'm watching a news show about deaths caused by contaminated heparin blood thinner. They say that a Chinese manufacturer may have substituted a cheaper ingredient for the required one. The news show went on to say 80% of drug ingredients come from overseas and none of these plants are inspected bu the FDA.Even if cannabis didn't have higher effectiveness and lower side effects than Marinol, I think I'd rather grow my own medication (if I were allowed to!) than trust the FDA to manufacture it. I could see having to rely on the FDA for drugs that had very narrow safety margins, but cannabis is extremely safe with low side effects over a wide range of doses.It was amusing to see in this article that the police claim that no doctors support medical marijuana, followed immediately by a statement that doctors are divided over this question. That's a change. It use to be that no major newspaper would contradict the police.The police actually referred to pain management doctors. It's possible that THEY don't support it. I could believe that. They prescribe scheduled drugs and are at the mercy of the DEA. So even if it was OK at the state level they might not want to risk doing anything that might contradict the DEA. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by goneposthole on April 29, 2008 at 15:46:15 PT How long will it take? How many more years will pass until the medicinal benefits of cannabis are recognized by those who deny its efficacy?I think they do now, but just don't want to admit they have been wrong. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by mykeyb420 on April 29, 2008 at 15:20:27 PT there ya go From what I can see, if Michigan votes ves on this, then many people will live to vote another day. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 29, 2008 at 13:36:00 PT Related Article From Raw Story Michigan Voters To Decide on Legal Medical MarijuanaBy Nick JulianoPublished: Tuesday April 29, 2008 When Michigan voters head to the polls this November, they'll have the chance to remove the legal hassles for tens of thousands of their neighbors whose pain and suffering caused by a dozen diseases can be eased with medical marijuana. A measure that will appear on the ballot there this fall would remove penalties for suffering patients who find their only relief from smoking a joint, eating a pot brownie or brewing tea with the infamous herb. A poll last month found two-thirds of Michiganders support the proposal, which would make their state the 13th to legalize medical marijuana. The Detroit News spoke to some of the state's upstanding citizens whose efforts to ease their pain have forced them to the other side of the law.Rochelle Lampkin is a 49-year-old grandmother of 10 who used to picket in front of dope houses in her Detroit neighborhood, chanting "this is wrong, shut it down."Today, she knowingly breaks the law by using marijuana to ease searing eye pain -- a side-effect of the multiple sclerosis that struck her more than 20 years ago. She must use a cane or walker to get around. ..."Years ago, I was at an MS group meeting and someone suggested I try marijuana because it can help with the pain and the eye problems," Lampkin recalled. "I said: 'I'm not doing that. It's dope.'"But the flare-ups of optic neuritis convinced her to change her mind about four years ago."You have enough pain, you'll try anything," she said. "Somebody gave me a marijuana cigarette and I puffed on it a couple times and got relief from the pain behind my eyes. I was shocked that it worked."Sponsors of the Michigan proposal, backed primarily by the Marijuana Policy Project, says it could help as many as 50,000 patients, who now either have to go without what some doctors see as the best treatment or dodge the law to find it.The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws says marijuana can be used to treat at least 17 diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease.The federal government still considers medical marijuana illegal, and DEA agents have raided some medical marijuana dispensaries in states like California, which was the first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have called prosecution of medical marijuana patients unnecessary, but neither has advocated outright decriminalization of the drug. Republican John McCain seems more willing to continue the drug war in its current form. URL: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Michigan_voters_to_decide_on_legal_0429.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on April 29, 2008 at 12:27:30 PT Press Release From MPP Law Enforcement Objections to Medical Marijuana Bill at Odds With Reality, Advocates SayApril 29, 2008URL: http://tinyurl.com/4yyt85 [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on April 29, 2008 at 10:32:48 PT Rochelle's story Wow, that is really inspiring. There's nothing I respect more than someone who is willing to open their mind and challenge their own convictions.That's all we can really ask of anyone. This is going to pass and Rochelle will be a lot closer to relief after November. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by observer on April 29, 2008 at 10:10:50 PT W W J N D ? Rochelle Lampkin is a 49-year-old grandmother of 10 who used to picket in front of dope houses in her Detroit neighborhood, chanting "this is wrong, shut it down."Wow ... ironic.WWJND? What Would Joyce Nalepka Do? Does Joyce get on the phone and try to talk Rochelle Lampkin out of it? When a Rochelle or a Montel defects from the ranks of prohibition, because they try cannabis and know that it helps them, what can prohibitionists say? Do they just ignore it? Call them names? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Hope on April 29, 2008 at 09:49:47 PT "Lying conspirators" To make "he chooses to believe they are lying conspirators for some sort of immorality" more exactly clear, I should say, " He chooses to believe they are lying conspirators for some sort of imaginary, on his part, immorality." [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Hope on April 29, 2008 at 09:44:47 PT "Paranoia strikes deep....." when busting heads is a job you want to keep. It's enough to make a good head busting sheriff lie about what he knows or doesn't know. Sadly he may learn the truth someday through personal experience. As for me, I've never been kicked by a mule... but I don't have to have it happen to me personally to know that it really happens and it really hurts. He thinks someone just wants to have some fun with marijuana... and he just can't let that happen.... it would be so "immoral"!In my life, I've known way too many people who just don't believe other people's pain or problems are real. It's only real and it only matters when it happens to them and then they are so offended and appalled if anyone doubts them and the veracity and importance of their situation. It's some kind of sick, cruel, and ignorant human phenomenon... but I can see it's real, too."It's not a good idea and most practicing physicians who work in pain management know there are better and more effective medicines to deal with the issue rather than using marijuana," said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.He said he believes the true agenda of those backing the Michigan ballot proposal is to legalize marijuana for everyone. If I was a really good person... I'd just pity them... but I'm not that good and I have to work at feeling sorry for them and not despising them personally, because of their delusions and ignorance. It's one thing for them to be ignorant and loud about it... but they are hurting other people in their ignorance and loudness."... there are better and more effective medicines to deal with the issue rather than using marijuana." Didn't he hear the woman that there's not for her? Doesn't he hear the pleas of other people saying that? Yes he does... but he chooses to believe they are lying conspirators for some sort of immorality. That's probably because he's, for a fact, such a truly lying conspirator for a very real immorality, himself. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by RevRayGreen on April 29, 2008 at 05:41:35 PT God bless you Rochelle......... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment