cannabisnews.com: Prop. 1's Implications Unclear, Concern Some Prop. 1's Implications Unclear, Concern Some Posted by CN Staff on November 16, 2008 at 20:55:45 PT By Zach Colman, The State News Source: State News Michigan -- Although the details regarding Proposal 1 and Michigan’s upcoming medical marijuana program still are being discussed, some people have concerns about the program’s implications.The Board of State Canvassers must meet in the next two to three weeks to certify the 2008 election, after which the Michigan Department of Community Health must promulgate a series of rules to implement the constitutional amendment by Dec. 4. The administrative process must be ready to operate by April 4. Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, said the remaining steps must be taken by the Department of Community Health and she is confident they will meet all deadlines.One of the most significant issues the department will have to tackle is how a “debilitating medical condition” is defined. It currently encompasses conditions such as cancer, AIDS, hepatitis C and Crohn’s disease.David Fox, spokesman with the Michigan State Medical Society, said doctors could experience difficulty in determining the level of pain in patients. Considering the doctors can’t physically feel the symptoms patients describe, it could open avenues to easier access to medical marijuana.Doctors might, however, be more reluctant to prescribe medical marijuana because of its uncertainties pertaining to medicinal use.“It may cause awkwardness between the doctor and patient because doctors prefer to use a drug that is FDA approved, has a proven track record, know what dosage to use, know the purity and quality, and that it’s been tested,” Fox said.“This will be kind of a more nebulous drug because it doesn’t have any kind of dosing or way to determine how much a patient should use.”Byrum, though, said the proposal provided many safeguards against illegal activity. People must be at least 21 years old and must obtain a license through a registration process after receiving a prescription.East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said he worries people will abuse the constitutional amendment, which he said is unfortunate because the proposal was intended to play on people’s compassion for those in serious pain.“There’s a lot of potential for abuse,” he said. “Another interesting part is who would hold a doctor responsible for the prescription he writes? What would prevent a doctor from handing out prescriptions to anybody who asks?”Wibert, who said he was surprised the proposal passed, said he would have to train police officers on the system of documentation for people who can legally use marijuana.“It strikes me that it should be somewhat confusing,” he said. “What type of documentation are people going to have? How would a police officer know whether it’s valid documentation?”Source: State News, The (MI State U, MI Edu)Author: Zach Colman, The State NewsPublished: Sunday, November 16, 2008Copyright: 2008 The State NewsContact: opinion statenews.comWebsite: http://www.statenews.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/Utzozl3cRelated Articles & Web Site:Stop Arresting Patientshttp://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/Michigan Approves Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24312.shtmlSince Prop 1 Passed, Can I Grow Pot?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24311.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by Hope on November 17, 2008 at 18:53:00 PT It should be confusing? “It strikes me that it should be somewhat confusing,” he said. “What type of documentation are people going to have? How would a police officer know whether it’s valid documentation?”Surely the paper should have printed "could"... but so much craziness comes out of the mouths of prohibitionists... maybe that's what he said.They're making themselves look dumber and more incompetent than ever. They're saying they're not intelligent enough to deal with new documents or any change. That seems like a foolish thing to do on their part. Why can't they at least be smart enough to act like they might be confident that they might be smart enough to figure it all out in time? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by ekim on November 17, 2008 at 17:55:01 PT Greg is doing great work in MI http://www.michiganmedicalmarijuana.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by ekim on November 17, 2008 at 17:26:06 PT and the lable of effects caused by prohibition is denny oneself of a family member-oneself of a job-in certain curcimstances oneself of a place to live-what would that be callled--some sort of sike olgy-we as humans have learned long ago about feelings and resolved as far back to be mindful of oneanother.every county of the state of MI that just voted for prop 1 said we will allow a change in the prohibition of cannabis law.not only doctors will have a say - those voters will be asked to come speak to the law makers and state there case as to how this unjust law has hurt them and others they know and love. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by charmed quark on November 17, 2008 at 16:54:05 PT we can't feel your pain "David Fox, spokesman with the Michigan State Medical Society, said doctors could experience difficulty in determining the level of pain in patients. Considering the doctors can’t physically feel the symptoms patients describe, it could open avenues to easier access to medical marijuana."How do they treat pain now? I guess, since they can't feel my pain, I can't get any pain treatment. No opiates, no topomax or Lyrica, nothing.What a strange, bizarre statement. Of course, pain is very undertreated in this country. Maybe this attitude is why.Or is he saying there is something special about cannabis where he needs a more accurate estimate of my pain before he can treat me with it, compared to, say, opiates? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by museman on November 17, 2008 at 11:43:51 PT what lies! "“It may cause awkwardness between the doctor and patient because doctors prefer to use a drug that is FDA approved, has a proven track record, know what dosage to use, know the purity and quality, and that it’s been tested,”"Track record?" lets see; number of deaths (Not including serious health problmes) relating to FDA approved DRUGS = 11,687PROVEN Cannabis fatalities =0http://tinyurl.com/66afmgNow that's a 'track record' to live -or die with.Who do YOU trust? God? or your doctor? God? or the FDA? God? or your government? God? or the DRUG DEALERS? God? or the 'credentialled' "professionals?"Funny how on all the dirty-filthy money there is this blasphemous line; "In God We Trust." Payback will be a motha.LIBERATE (FREE) TRAIN WRECK FOR EVERYONE [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dongenero on November 17, 2008 at 08:02:42 PT A lot of whining.... ..coming from Michigan. Sheesh, maybe these officials should just step down and let someone with some energy take over and implement the system.You ask people to do a bit of work and all they do is whine! Be glad you have a job Chief Wilbert, spokesman Fox. And if you don't want it, at least get out of the way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by afterburner on November 16, 2008 at 23:42:27 PT OT: 17 major commission reports "support legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana in 1894, 1926, 1930, 1937, 1944, 1961, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1989, 1994, 1996 and 2000." CN AB: Column: Forget Facts, Common Sense Or Decency, Edmonton Sun, (15 Nov 2008) http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v08/n1033/a08.html?176 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment