SPECIAL LETTER

EASING PAIN IS PARAMOUNT

As a lifelong advocate for repealing marijuana prohibition, I would
like to express my gratitude to Judge Bill Schuette, Larry Stelma and
Byron Konschuh for being so candid with voters about their views on
this important issue in their Detroit News column "Legalizing
marijuana remains a bad idea" (July 16).

It is amusing, if disingenuous, for them to assert that I "admitted"
in a recent television interview that my "goal is to legalize
marijuana use in Detroit and, eventually, all of Michigan" since I
have been absolutely clear on this point for many years.

I first advocated for making a medical exception to marijuana
prohibition for the very reason I named the organization for which I
was the former chairman, the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate
Care. Their insinuations notwithstanding, allowing patients access to
this mild but effective treatment for nausea and chronic pain always
was "the real purpose" of that effort.

Eventually the people of the entire state agreed -- by a nearly 2-1
margin. As have voters in a dozen other states.

The difficulties for government and employers in accommodating the
needs of such patients are also being greatly exaggerated.

The fact that the state has received 8,000 caregiver applications
hardly justifies the assertion that this is "one of the fastest
growing industries in Michigan." The prospects for actually making
this a (much-needed) new industry have in fact been hamstrung largely
as a result of obstructionists. It is ironic that the authors
complain of "a nightmare for state and local authorities" when it has
largely been one of their own making.

Likewise, it is the very "zero tolerance" hysteria of the drug war
that has created an issue for employers. The new law specifically
bars both driving and working "under the influence" -- hardly the
same thing as having any scientifically measurable trace in a person's system.

The careful reader will notice that the ominous statistics cited in
warning of the dangers of repealing marijuana prohibition -- the
circumstances surrounding criminal activities, removal of children
from neglectful parents into foster homes, incidents of domestic
violence -- are actually associated with "substance abuse" generally.

In point of fact, the overwhelming number of these cases involve
alcohol. Far fewer involve heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine. Almost
none involve marijuana.

Tim Beck, chairman,

Coalition for a Safer Detroit, Detroit