STATE, LOCAL OFFICIALS OPPOSE PUSH FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

State and local officials are speaking out against a proposal that would
legalize medical marijuana in Detroit, saying it could lead to looser drug
laws in Michigan.

"Drugs are not something we want to have a greater amount of in the
community," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. "This is an
attempt to legitimize marijuana and nothing more."

Bouchard was joined by a host of law enforcement and legislative officials
Tuesday for a news conference in Detroit against Proposal M, which will
appear on the Aug. 3 primary ballot in Detroit.

If the proposal passes, it would essentially make it legal for patients -
with a doctor's permission - to use marijuana. It would only be legal in
Detroit and state and federal laws against marijuana possession would still
apply elsewhere in the state and for nonmedical use in Detroit. Medical
usage in Detroit could still be illegal as well, since state law supersedes
a local ordinance.

The Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care, the group organizing the
ballot initiative in the city, could not be reached for comment.

At the news conference, leaders praised a resolution by state Rep. Alma
Stallworth, D-Detroit, opposing medical marijuana. The resolution passed
overwhelmingly earlier this year.

Opponents of medical marijuana say the goal of those aligned in favor of
the proposal eventually want to see it - and other drugs - legalized. It's
not about sick people in pain, they say, but about making drugs more
accessible.

"This is basically an end-run attempt to usurp state and federal laws,"
said Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca.

Gorcyca said there is little scientific evidence supporting claims that
marijuana helps with pain or nausea symptoms. He also said that making
drugs more accessible is a slippery slope.

Susan Hiltz of the Prevention Coalition of Southeast Michigan agreed. She
said drugs should not be exempt from FDA approval and making marijuana
something that's prescribed by a doctor is ludicrous.

"It's like putting penicillin use on the ballot," she said. "That's not how
it is supposed to work."