cannabisnews.com: Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on November 05, 2008 at 12:33:37 PT By Jeff Karoub, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press Detroit, MI -- Voters in Michigan overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana ballot measure -- making it one of a quarter of states to allow severely ill patients to use the illegal drug.The measure passed in every county. With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, 63 percent, or 2,983,388 people, voted "yes" on Proposal 1, which removes state penalties for registered patients to buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana. Thirty-seven percent, or 1,778,939 voters, were opposed. Opponents again were unable to derail the measure. In fact, only one state, South Dakota, has failed to OK a ballot attempt.Of the 12 other states with medical marijuana laws, eight stemmed from ballot initiatives; four were enacted by state legislatures."I think it's a real victory for the patients and their families," said Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the support group Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care. "I just had a feeling from the very beginning this was going to pass, and it was going to resonate with the voters. ... "Voters knew right from the beginning the medical value of marijuana."Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette, chairman of the opposition group Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids, said he was disappointed with the outcome but not the effort."It appears we came up short," he said. "We waged a good campaign, a hard-fought campaign. But we were severely underfunded, and that's always a challenge."The opposition included more than two dozen medical, law-enforcement, anti-drug and other organizations, including the Michigan State Medical Society, the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and Citizens for Traditional Values.In campaign finance reports for the period through Oct. 19, proponents reported raising $1.5 million, most of which came from the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. The opposition group raised $125,500 for the same period.While the measure will remove state-level penalties for registered patients using marijuana, it won't create legal dispensaries for the drug. Nor will it affect the federal ban on marijuana, which makes possessing marijuana for any purpose illegal.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Jeff Karoub, Associated Press WriterPublished: Wednesday, November 05, 2008Copyright: 2008 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/Voters Pass Prop 1, Letting Severely Ill Grow Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24283.shtmlMove To Legalize MMJ Supported by 2-1 Marginhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24276.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by Paint with light on November 07, 2008 at 00:57:45 PT Afterburner Thanks for posting the link. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 06, 2008 at 07:19:03 PT afterburner Thank you for the pictures. I really am hopeful for our future. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by afterburner on November 06, 2008 at 07:12:51 PT Speaking of Pictures -- 15 World 'Obama Wins' Pix Obama Win Sparks Praise Around Globe - AOL News Canada http://news.aol.ca/article/obama-win-sparks-praise-around-globe/408347 [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 06, 2008 at 06:08:46 PT Paint with light Thank you for the pictures. If you have a url that is a bit too long it will cut it off unless you post it in the comment like I am doing. http://www.pdnpulse.com/2008/11/five-photos-that-cinched-the-election-for-barack.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Paint with light on November 05, 2008 at 23:57:50 PT Woops I am not sure what went wrong but you can go to www.pdnonline.com to see the images.I will try another link.If this one doesn't work, woops again. http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/index.jsp [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Paint with light on November 05, 2008 at 23:49:38 PT Obama and the power of images As a visual artist I enjoyed this collection of images that a photograhic publication thinks helped Obama win.Equal with alcohol. http://www.pdnpulse.com/2008/11/five-photos-that-cinched-the-election-for-barack [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 20:42:16 PT Taylor121 I'm happy too. It's all been a remarkable journey. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Taylor121 on November 05, 2008 at 20:33:31 PT Nevermind I misspoke, but let's just forget what I was going to say. I'm just happy the initiatives worked out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 17:58:19 PT Taylor121 I had to look up the word demonetization and I don't understand that one either in your comment. I thought you spelled the word wrong and you meant demonization. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 17:03:50 PT Taylor121 Thank you.I haven't noticed any demonization of MPP. You lost me on that one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by sam adams on November 05, 2008 at 16:36:07 PT The Bible Belt checks in this one is funny - straight outta Nashville....the Southern Baptists are pissed!http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29273 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on November 05, 2008 at 16:19:18 PT obama it looks like it was from yesterday - will it change now that he IS president? I hope we'll know soon.....Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 9:59 PM Subject: Response to your message to Obama for America*** To find your polling place now, visit www.VoteForChange.com ***Dear Friend,Thank you for contacting Obama for America to inquire about the Senator's position on allowing severely ill patients to use marijuana for medical purposes.Many states have laws that condone medical marijuana, but the Bush Administration is using federal drug enforcement agents to raid these facilities and arrest seriously ill people. Focusing scarce law enforcement resources on these patients who pose no threat while many violent and highly dangerous drug traffickers are at large makes no sense. Senator Obama will not continue the Bush policy when he is president.Thank you again for contacting us.Sincerely,Obama for America*** To find your polling place now, visit www.VoteForChange.com ***- ----------- Paid for by Obama for America [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by The GCW on November 05, 2008 at 16:10:46 PT Sam Adams, did I read that right? Obama's website is sending form letter responses saying that he will end the DEA raids in CA when he becomes president!??? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Taylor121 on November 05, 2008 at 16:10:21 PT Hi FoM and Cnews Congrats on Obama FoM. I know you loved him from the start.I hope everyone here takes a second look at the Marijuana Policy Project. Yes, grassroots activists did a ton of great work in this election, including NORML branches etc., but MPP does not deserve the demonetization that they have received from some on this site after helping to pass and fund so much good legislation. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on November 05, 2008 at 15:57:05 PT Great Video! You won't see this often - Mr. DA eating a big 'ole helping of CROW:http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S648686.shtml?cat=300I'm starting to feel good - Obama's website is sending form letter responses saying that he will end the DEA raids in CA when he becomes president! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 15:16:23 PT Election Results From The Drug Policy Alliance Wednesday, November 5, 2008http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/110508electionres.cfm [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by observer on November 05, 2008 at 14:12:48 PT Federal Ban = Any Purpose Illegal? False. Nor will it affect the federal ban on marijuana, which makes possessing marijuana for any purpose illegal.Now, there is a lie. What about the people, the medical patients to whom the U.S Federal Government mails a Q.P. of ready-rolled reefers, the U.S. Federal IND Patient program? People like George McMahon, or Irv Rosenfeld, or Elvy Musikka ? http://www.420media.com/elvy.htm The AP just lied there. Or is so horrendously sloppy and fact checking -free they just don't care. Why did the (Operation Mockingbird, Mighty Wurlitzer) Associated Press, there, choose to forget the federal medical exceptions to the federal ban? Tossing those facts down the 'ol memory hole makes for a stronger (if untrue) propaganda sound bite at the end of this piece? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment