Support Slips for Stem Cell Proposal

POLL: PROP 2 LEADS 46-43 PERCENT; VOTERS BACK LEGALIZING MEDICAL POT

State voters appear to have growing doubts about expanding embryonic
stem cell research in Michigan -- an emotional struggle in which
supporters and opponents have committed $10 million, according to
campaign reports filed Friday.

A new, Detroit News/WXYZ Action News poll shows the initiative,
Proposal 2, leading by 46-43 percent -- within the 5-point error
margin. A month ago -- before a saturation campaign of advertising
paid in part by $2.79 million from the Michigan Catholic Conference
- -- it was favored 50 percent to 32 percent.

The News/WXYZ poll also shows Proposal 1, to legalize medical
marijuana for sick people, leading 55 percent to 38 percent -- down
somewhat from mid-September, when it was favored 59-37.

Experts attribute the drop in support for Proposal 2 to the
well-funded ad campaign by the opposition that has raised concerns in
voters' minds by suggesting its passage could cost taxpayers millions
of dollars and lead to human cloning.

Prop 2 supporters say the anti-ads are misleading and deceptive.

According to campaign finance statements filed with the state Friday,
the biggest individual financial contributor to the pro-stem cell
research campaign is businessman-developer Alfred Taubman of
Bloomfield Hills, who gave the campaign more than $1 million and
loaned it another $3 million.

The News/WXYZ poll of 400 likely voters was conducted by Lansing's
EPIC-MRA, Sunday through Wednesday.

Pot Under Debate

Proposal 1, also a constitutional amendment, would allow patients to
use marijuana if a doctor certified it could ease their pain and
suffering. If voters approve Proposal 1, Michigan would become the
13th state to legalize medical marijuana. Supporters estimate that as
many as 50,000 Michigan residents would legally qualify for the drug
to treat a host of "debilitating" medical problems such as cancer,
HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's disease.

"I'm not a doctor but if there is a legitimate need, my opinion is
that marijuana is probably better than Vicodin or Codeine and other
stuff people get hooked on, so why not," said poll participant Chris
Carlin, a 34-year-old father of three from Macomb Township.

Tracey Alverson, 46, a housewife and mother of two from Farmington
Hills, said she'll vote 'no' because she fears marijuana usage will
increase among people who are not ill.

"Medical marijuana -- that's a stretch," she said. "There are a lot
of drugs that can be used to make people comfortable without bringing
in marijuana."

Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids is the group leading the
opposition. Its members include the Michigan State Medical Society,
Michigan Sheriffs' Association, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of
Michigan, Michigan Family Forum and the White House Office of Drug
Control Policy.

In a campaign financial statement filed Friday, the group said it has
raised $125,500 and had $31,353 in the bank on Oct. 20. It has not
done any TV advertising against the proposal.

The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, the group backing the
proposal, raised $1.5 million, with virtually all of it coming from
the Marijuana Policy Project, a marijuana reform group based in Washington D.C.

Prop 2 Outcome Uncertain

Pollster Bernie Porn, who conducted the survey, said since neither
side is doing much advertising for or against Proposal 1, its chances
of passage on Nov. 4 are good.

But he said the prospects for Proposal 2 are far less certain. When a
ballot proposal has less than 50 percent support this close to
Election Day, he said, it usually is rejected because undecided
voters typically vote against ballot proposals.

Michigan Citizens Against Unrestricted Science is the group seeking
to defeat the measure. Its members include political powerhouses
Right to Life of Michigan and the Catholic Conference. It reported
Friday that it had raised $3.77 million and had $118,000 on hand.

Right to Life of Michigan kicked in more than $276,000 to the
campaign and its local affiliates across the state gave tens of thousands more.

Amway founder Richard DeVos contributed $200,000.

The $2.78 million from the Catholic Conference is a staggering amount
for a ballot proposal.

"It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Catholic Church
feels very strongly about unrestricted, unregulated human embryo
destruction and experimentation," said its vice president of public
policy, Paul Long. He said the church has distributed materials
outlining its position on the issue to parishes across the state.

Cure Michigan is the group pushing for passage of the ballot
proposal. Its members include the Michigan Nurses Association,
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Parkinson's Action Network,
National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Association for
Cancer Research. Its report said it had raised $6.3 million and had
$361,613 on hand as of Oct. 20.

In addition to Taubman, its other big financial supporters include
the Karmanos Cancer Institute, which donated $250,000; Dan Gilbert,
chairman of Quicken Loans, who gave $250,0000; and Michigan Citizens
for Stem Cell Research and Cures, which contributed $170,000.

Michigan has one of the nation's strictest laws dealing with
embryonic stem cell research. A researcher who uses frozen embryos
left over from fertility treatment for research is subject to
penalties of up to $5 million in fines and five years in prison.

Supporters of embryonic stem cell research say it could lead to
better therapies and possible cures for a variety of diseases and
injuries. They say unused embryos from fertility treatments are now
being discarded.

Opponents say that embryonic stem cell research has not produced any
cures or therapies. Adult stem cell research, however, has resulted
in medical advances.

While some see embryos as the seeds of a coming medical revolution,
others view them as the fertilized seeds of human life that should
never be destroyed.

Jennifer Czachorski, 38, of Ypsilanti said she'll vote against Proposal 2.

"I feel research should continue being done with adult stem cells
before we go to the next level with embryonic stem cells," said the
mother of two.

George O'Neal, a 63-year-old Livonia resident, said he's conflicted
by the ballot question.

"Both sides have something to say that's accurate," said O'Neal, a
retired wine and alcohol distributor. "The research could provide
medical breakthroughs, but at a cost that I'm not really thrilled
about. But I will probably vote in favor of doing it."