Pot Proposal

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BALLOT ITEM IS FLAWED

A test of legalized marijuana use for medical purposes -- to help control
pain and nausea, in particular -- is overdue in Michigan. Unfortunately,
the proposal on Detroit's ballot Aug. 3 has murky areas that make it the
wrong tool.

Proposal M would amend the city code to allow use of marijuana under the
direction of a "physician or other licensed medical professional." But the
law cited to define the "others" covers all state-licensed health
professions and several sub-specialties. That includes chiropractors,
optometrists and podiatrists; psychologists, counselors, social workers and
family therapists; audiologists; all nurses and nursing home
administrators, and veterinarians.

Proponents say they are confident that only those with prescription power
- -- primarily medical doctors, doctors of osteopathic medicine and dentists
- -- would take advantage of the code change. They say laws on controlled
substances, state licensing rules for each profession and the risk of
malpractice claims would prevent other health professionals from giving
guidance on marijuana use. On its face, though, the proposal's language is
just too broad to make the case for supervised medical marijuana with any
integrity.

In other aspects, the proposal is quite limited. It creates an exemption
for medical possession and use of marijuana and associated paraphernalia;
it does not directly address purchase or gifts. As a Detroit initiative, it
binds only the city police. Other laws will continue to govern county,
state and federal agencies when they work in the city.

Detroiters who believe in appropriate use of medical marijuana deserve a
more tightly written amendment to the city code. Until that proposal
appears, a NO vote is in order.