THE CASE FOR PROP 1

The battle has been brewing for the past several months over Proposal
1 on the statewide ballot Nov. 4. The issue: Should the use of
marijuana be allowed in Michigan for medical purposes?

Many support the measure, which they say could help some 50,000
Michiganians afflicted with various debilitating medical conditions.
Others fear legalizing marijuana, well-intended or not, would open up
new channels to illegal use.

Matter of fact, if you're reading this Oct. 24 or 25, I'm in a
hospital bed recovering from shoulder surgery, but I am definitely
not a candidate for marijuana treatment as provided in Proposal 1 -
nor should I be. My situation isn't even close. People who would be
eligible suffer an entirely different kind of condition and pain.
They experience it around-the-clock, and in many cases their medical
condition is terminal.

Medical experts say the measure would help people suffering from such
afflictions as HIV/AIDS, cancer, Hepatitis C., Crohn's disease,
Alzheimers and multiple sclerosis. Twelve other states have similar
laws in place, and it appears to be effective.

Opponents say similar laws have increased the illegal use of
marijuana in some states, especially California where they allege
"pot shops" have started up.

Safeguards against improper use appear to be in place, at least in
theory, under the Michigan proposal. First of all, marijuana use must
be doctor-prescribed. Anyone caught lying about their medical
condition or distributing marijuana to others would be barred from
future participation in the program and face the existing state law
against illegal possession of marijuana. That law calls for
punishment of up to one year in prison and $2,000 in fines. Illegal
dealers really get the book thrown at them: up to 15 years in jail
and up to $10 million in fines - and that's for first-time offenders.

The Michigan Department of Community Health would create a state
medical marijuana registry. Each medically approved user would be
given an identification card. A very high standard would be applied
before anyone could secure a card. Proposal 1 would also protect
those who are primary caregivers who handle/administrator to sick
family members or friends. Currently, these caregivers are labeled as
illegal drug dealers. The law would require all marijuana used for
medical purposes to be under lock and key.

Marijuana card carriers would not be permitted to smoke in public
places or near schools or prisons. Driving while using it would be
prohibited, also. The workplace would also be off limits.

A poll in late September conducted by Lansing's EPIC-MIRA
professional survey organization found that residents supported the
measure, 59 to 37 percent. Sixty-three percent of women favored it,
compared to 51 percent of men.

In one corner, you have the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care
which states we need to help people in such dire situations. In the
opposite corner are the Citizens for Traditional Values, a group that
claims allowing marijuana for medical purposes could have long-range
physical and medical consequences.

In one corner, you have medical organizations, individual physicians
and other health care professionals supporting the issue. In the
opposite corner, you have medical organizations, physicians and
health care professionals in opposition.

Even Washington brought some big guns into our state in an effort to
shoot down the proposal. John Walton, director of the White House
Office of National Drug Control Policy, made a special trip to
proclaim that Proposal 1 proponents are relying on sympathy, not hard
facts. Scott Burns, U.S. Deputy Drug Czar, came out here, also, and
he warned: "This issue is about dope - not medicine."

The coalition for compassionate care responds by saying this is all
about compassionate law to protect severely ill patients.

I should note that the 12 states that have similar marijuana laws on
the books are in conflict with federal law, which prohibits marijuana
use. It's obvious where the White House guy and drug czar get their motivation.

I may be old fashion, born way ahead of the marijuana era, but I'm a
realist. I have seen cancer, Alzheimers and other illnesses get a
strangle hold on members of my family and my friends. For me, this is
a personal issue, as it is for every Michigan voter.

Always remember, many of the patients who would benefit from this are terminal.

Believe me, no White House politico or federal drug czar will control
my mind, or my heart.

I'm against illegal use of drugs, but I also know all about
compassion. One more important and highly respected influence on me:
my wife, Sue, who is a registered nurse.

I know where I stand on Proposal 1.