cannabisnews.com: US Deputy Drug Czar Says Proposal 1 is About Dope US Deputy Drug Czar Says Proposal 1 is About Dope Posted by CN Staff on October 13, 2008 at 20:04:08 PT By Ted Roelofs, The Grand Rapids Press Source: Grand Rapids Press Grand Rapids, MI -- Listening to opponents of Proposal 1 list their arguments, Kentwood resident Deborah Brink had a different view on the statewide ballot question that would approve medically legalized marijuana.In 1979, Brink became violently ill while undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. She threw up four times an hour for four hours a day, five days a week. Nothing she tried to relieve the nausea worked -- until she turned to marijuana. "I did not throw up at all," recalled Brink, now 50. "You can't say for sure, but there's a possibility it saved my life."But in a Monday news conference, law enforcement officials, including U.S. Deputy Drug Czar Scott Burns, called Proposal 1 dangerous and wrong."Proposal 1 is bad for Michigan and it is bad for America," Burns said."This issue is about dope, not about medicine."Burns maintained the ballot proposal is being pushed by wealthy individuals from outside Michigan, who have backed similar proposals in other states."They are funded by millions of dollars from millionaires who live in Washington, D.C. to hire people to come to Michigan to try and con voters from the state to pass it."Burns and Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette contend the measure would open the door to the "pot shops" and smoking clubs that are common in California. That state legalized marijuana for medical use in 1996.They were joined at the news conference by a group of law enforcement officials, including Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma."This proposed statute, it's a doozy," Schuette said.If the measure passes, Michigan law would allow doctors to recommend marijuana for patients with cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS and other conditions the state agrees are covered under the law.Those patients would register with the state and could legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms.Similar medical-marijuana laws have been enacted in a dozen states in recent years, most by ballot initiative.While the measure would remove state-level penalties for registered patients using marijuana, it wouldn't create legal dispensaries for the drug, nor would it affect the federal ban on marijuana.Backers of Proposal 1 contend that opponents are twisting the truth to frighten people."The opposition is using scare tactics out of desperation, which does not diminish the fact that medical marijuana can safely and effectively relieve the pain and suffering of seriously ill patients," said Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, sponsor of the ballot initiative."They are just throwing things up in the air and hoping something will stick."Byrum said Michigan, unlike California, does not allow the opening of pot shops."This law is nothing like California."Manistee resident and retired physician George Wagner, 73, said his wife, Beverly, obtained relief from marijuana in 2007 as she was fighting ovarian cancer. She died in July 2007.She experienced nausea, vomiting and tried "all the available" legal medications, Wagner said."After two breaths of marijuana smoke, her symptoms disappeared. It was as dramatic relief of a symptom that I've seen after 30 years of practicing medicine."It's just outrageous that such an effective medication cannot be available legally."Complete Title: U.S. Deputy Drug Czar Says Proposal 1 is 'About Dope, Not About Medicine'Source: Grand Rapids Press (MI)Author: Ted Roelofs, The Grand Rapids PressPublished: Monday, October 13, 2008Copyright: 2008 Grand Rapids PressContact: pulse grpress.comWebsite: http://www.mlive.com/grpress/Related Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/ Drug Czar Will Blast Marijuana Ballot Issuehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24220.shtmlVote Yes on Proposal 1 for Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24207.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #22 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 13:54:47 PT Hah! Got the I'm Yours video all together. It is cool.Thanks, Fight_for_Freedom. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 13:49:29 PT Across the water.... http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n939/a09.html?397'THREE STRIKES AND OUT' PENALTY FOR CANNABIS USERS FALLS APART [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 13:08:24 PT Music and videos I'd like to hear those... plus the one Afterburner posted a few days ago, but I haven't been able to load anything but snippets of anything, no matter how slowly, for days, maybe a week now. Hours of loading won't get it.Anyway. I'd like to listen to them, but I can hear snippets enough to tell they might really be cool. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 14, 2008 at 11:52:16 PT It's a feel good kind of song I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. I just discovered who it was by a few minutes ago.Hope- That LTE was just the thing we needed right now to contest the lies put out by the opposition. I actually just went out to eat with this guy on Sunday. It's good to have him on our side. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 11:36:52 PT Comment 11 Fight_for_Freedom. That is a very powerful letter. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on October 14, 2008 at 11:36:30 PT fight_4_freedom I love the new song. That's my kind of music. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 14, 2008 at 11:28:10 PT Some music for the afternoon This is a new song out that I like a lot.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A Jason Mraz- I'm yourshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Q7cP3ij5g Signs- Five Man Electric Band (fitting for my day) [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 14, 2008 at 09:50:28 PT dongenero Thank you. I voted. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by dongenero on October 14, 2008 at 09:48:53 PT OT - PBS poll on Palin's readiness It looks like the Republicans may have mobilized on notice of the poll and have bumped her approval up. I don't believe that high percentage of people think she is qualified.In case anyone here wishes to vote their opinion:http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 14, 2008 at 09:04:14 PT fight_4_freedom Michigan is a very important state. When I think of people who live in Michigan I think of progressive forward thinking people. Winning in Michigan is a BIG thing.Let's go, let's go, let's really go! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 14, 2008 at 09:01:10 PT Thanks FoM, you do the same! Thanks for all the Prop 1 news you are posting. I get excited every time I check the site.Hope- I'm fighting for each and every one of you. Hopefully by passing this one, it will then be easier for the rest of you to pass laws in your own states. Or maybe it will lead to a change at the federal level.Change is happening as we speak! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 14, 2008 at 08:53:41 PT A published letter from a fellow norml member Letters: Learn truth about Prop 1The Saginaw NewsMonday October 13, 2008, 9:26 AMEditor, The News:After recent press releases from "Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids," which uses some of our local leaders as a mouthpiece, I was once again repulsed.Their statements were filled with disinformation and outright lies concerning Proposal 1 (medical marijuana).Why? Because deceit is the method they're comfortable with, and lying about it by incorporating the idea that Proposal 1 has anything to do with kids is the only way that they believe others can be persuaded on this popular issue.Anyone interested in the truth about this ballot proposal can read it in full by visiting www.StopArresting Patients.org/initiative, as I have.What is it with some of our Saginaw area leaders? Although there has been a consistent pattern of this type of behavior through time, we recently had an issue concerning public officials using their official positions to endorse a local candidate for office, in direct violation of state law.Now it appears that we have another group of bureaucrats also using their official positions as a platform to dishonestly oppose a ballot proposal.The laws are specific. Their actions thus far have come dangerously close to crossing the legal line, if indeed they did not. Also troubling is that many of these individuals are of a profession having long held the view that ignorance of the law is no excuse.Some in local governmental positions either don't get it, or don't care, and we are tired of their unscrupulous behavior. How can you expect citizens to respect their public officials when we see how little respect they seem to have for both the law and ethical principles?They should take some advice: Stop these deceitful and irresponsible actions. Stop thinking you are above the law. If you don't know the law as it applies to your position of office, then learn before you act.Here's a novel idea: Stick to doing specifically what the people pay you to do, do it with integrity, and let the democratic process flourish uncorrupted.David Light Saginaw Townshiphttp://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/opinion/index.ssf/2008/10/letters_learn_truth_about_prop.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 08:48:11 PT Comment 8 Helping Burns and Walters.... arrggh. I admit... I begrudge them, very much, the salary and money they take from us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 08:45:55 PT Fight_4_Freedom You are fighting for freedom! Thank you! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Hope on October 14, 2008 at 08:42:54 PT The GCW We do help him. We pay is salary and expenses for these little jaunts of interference he takes to interfere with state governments.He is doing wrong. He is hurting people and wanting to hurt them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 14, 2008 at 08:28:58 PT fight_4_freedom I love your enthusiasm! Have a great day! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by fight_4_freedom on October 14, 2008 at 08:24:41 PT The news outlets around here are going to be full of proposal 1 talk in the next couple of days. Now is the time when the patients need to come out of the closet and let their voices be heard. I think it is very critical that we fight back after they throw their punches.Today I get to go drop off signs to people who want them all around my city. It's going to be fun. I love just sitting on my porch watching people point to my signs when they drive by.This is oh so exciting. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 14, 2008 at 08:21:27 PT Church, Library To Host Medical Marijuana Talk By Jackson Citizen Patriot Tuesday, October 14, 2008There will be a presentation Thursday titled "Ballot Proposal 1: A Legislative Initiative to Permit the Use and Cultivation of Marijuana for Specified Medical Conditions." The presentation is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Jackson District Library's Carnegie branch, 244 W. Michigan Ave.The community forum is sponsored by Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty and the Jackson District Library. On-site child care is available by calling 740-2629 in advance.For more information, call the library at 788-4087, ext. 234.Copyright: 2008 Jackson Citizen Patriot http://www.mlive.com/citpat/news/index.ssf/2008/10/church_library_to_host_medical.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 14, 2008 at 08:08:02 PT Drug Czar in Michigan To Oppose Medical Marijuana October 14, 2008LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The nation's top anti-drug official is in Lansing to campaign against a Michigan ballot proposal that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.John Walters is the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He has scheduled media events in Lansing on Tuesday and a news conference on Wednesday in the Detroit suburb of Southfield.Walters opposes Proposal 1, which will appear on ballots next month. If passed, the measure would let severely ill patients use marijuana to relieve pain, nausea and other symptoms. Similar measures have been enacted in a dozen states.Backers say the initiative will relieve suffering. Opponents say it will hinder anti-drug efforts.Copyright: 2008 Associated PressURL: http://drugsense.org/url/e4EpPeoS [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on October 14, 2008 at 07:20:37 PT: They always bring this up Burns maintained the ballot proposal is being pushed by wealthy individuals from outside Michigan, who have backed similar proposals in other states. "They are funded by millions of dollars from millionaires who live in Washington, D.C. to hire people to come to Michigan to try and con voters from the state to pass it."Ahem. And just who is paying for Mr. Burns's jaunt to Michigan? Who is footing the bill for the Federal organization that he represents? Who is providing the scores of billions of dollars each year, for decades in the cause that he is effectively lobbying for? The US taxpayer, that's who. The vast majority of which do not reside in Michigan. Yet their funds are being used to power Federal interference in an attempt to influence that State's legislation.So...just who are the deep-pocketed 'outsiders' from Washington DC, Mr. Burns? A little hint: it ain't the people you are pointing fingers at, that's for sure. Try asking your bathroom mirror, instead. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on October 14, 2008 at 07:13:02 PT legitimize medical cannabis Hey, if the US gov can pass legislation to inject the Wall Street crooks with 750 billion dollars so they don't have to sell apples on the street, then the voters of Michigan can vote to pass a law so seriously ill persons can use medical cannabis to relieve symptoms of their illnesses.So, if you want to smoke some cannabis, you can.It's a guilt free substance, no matter what the jokers and clowns in the US gov maintain. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by The GCW on October 13, 2008 at 22:18:14 PT I feel sorry for Burns. Some of the greatest blessings Christ God Our Father has given Us seem absent in Burns.I feel like Burns is the dope.The devil's dope.The poor guy probably doesn't even realize He's possessed by the devil to do the work of the devil.If We get a chance, let's do the right thing and help Burns. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment