MEDICINAL POT GETS BALLOT BID

LANSING -- A group that wants to allow the use of marijuana for
medical purposes has turned in nearly 500,000 signatures to put the
issue on the November 2008 ballot.

The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care says the 496,000
signatures it gave the secretary of state's office should easily
contain 304,101 valid signatures, the minimum required.

If approved by voters, the initiative would allow qualified, seriously
ill patients to use and grow a limited amount of marijuana for medical
purposes upon the recommendation of a doctor.

Twelve states and five Michigan cities have passed laws allowing the
medical use of marijuana. Marijuana is illegal under federal law under
all circumstances.