PROP. 1'S IMPLICATIONS UNCLEAR, CONCERN SOME

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?"