EDITORIAL: 'NO' ON PROP 1, 'YES' ON 2

The following are Record-Eagle endorsements for Michigan's two
statewide ballot proposals.

Proposal 1 -- Medical Marijuana

Despite years of anecdotal evidence that smoking marijuana can ease
symptoms related to glaucoma, cancer, AIDS and other conditions, the
bottom line remains: There is no scientific evidence that it works
or, as important, that it works as well or effectively as other
existing treatments.

That fact -- not to mention troubling language in the proposal itself
- -- is reason enough to urge a "No" vote on Michigan Proposal 1, known
as the Medical Marijuana issue.

The proposed law would:

. Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients
suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other
conditions -- all subject to approval by the Department of Community Health.

. Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana
for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.

. Require Community Health to establish an identification card system
for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to
grow marijuana.

Amid all the regulations, however, is a loophole that would allow
registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert
medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any
marijuana-related prosecution.

That's a deal-breaker that opens the door for almost anyone to assert
protections. What is the point of forcing people to register with a
doctor and meet other restrictions if anyone can claim Proposal 1 as a defense?

Despite a host of wild Internet-fueled claims, the proposal would not
lead to storefront pot shops like some that have sprung up in
California after passage of a similar ballot proposal there. Some
official opposition has also stretched the truth, such as White House
claims that such proposals are "a clear strategy to ... legalize drugs."

But what counts here is that science does not support the claims of
Proposal 1 backers and the loophole in the proposal is simply too great.

Vote "No" on Proposal 1.

Proposal 2 -- Stem-Cell Research

Mostly lost in the blizzard of misleading ads being run by opponents
of Michigan's Proposal 2 is a simple but profound fact: Only
embryonic stem cells that would otherwise be destroyed could be used
for research.

Despite the bizarre claims of all kinds of evils, including
human/animal cloning and more, that simple truth remains. If these
cells are not used for research they will end up in the trash.

That fact -- and the fact that the vast majority of scientists and
researchers say embryonic stem cells could someday lead to amazing
cures -- make it easy to urge a "Yes" vote on Proposal 2.

The proposal itself is clear: Expand the use of human embryos for any
research permitted under federal law, but only if: the embryos are
created for fertility treatment purposes; are not suitable for
implantation or are excess cells; otherwise would be discarded; and
were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.

The proposal would also prohibit anyone from selling or purchasing
embryos for stem-cell research and block the Legislature or local
politicians from enacting laws to prevent, restrict or discourage
such research.

The list of false claims made by opponents seems endless. Proposal 2
would not in any way change Michigan's ban on human cloning, despite
repeated claims to the contrary. It would not cost taxpayers a single
dollar. It would not lead to animal-human cloning. It is not related,
despite a vile ad hinting otherwise, to medical experiments in the
'50s in which doctors did not treat 400 people infected with syphilis.

Opponents often repeat that stem-cell research is legal in Michigan,
but they leave out the fact that researchers are limited to just two
lines of cells approved by the federal government.

It is truly unfortunate that the opposition campaign (funded mostly
by the Catholic Church and Michigan Right To Life) has gone to such
disturbing lengths to fight Proposal 2.

What voters need to remember above all is the simple truth -- if
these cells are not used for research, they will be destroyed. There
is too much to gain by using these items designated for the Dumpster
to throw away this opportunity.

Vote "Yes" on Proposal 2.