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State Ballot Proposals
Official Ballot Language
PROPOSAL 08-1
A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PERMIT THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS
The proposed law would:
- Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.
- Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.
- Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.
- Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.
Should this proposal be adopted? YES NO
YES
This November, voters will consider Proposal 1, which removes the threat of arrest and jail for suffering patients who use medical marijuana on their doctors’ recommendation. Numerous studies have documented marijuana’s medical value in relieving nausea and appetite loss due to chemotherapy, HIV-related neuropathy, muscle spasms, and other serious symptoms.
Proposal 1 is a compassionate, responsible measure. It requires patients to have the written recommendation of a Michigan physician and clearly defines the conditions that qualify.
It includes safeguards to prevent abuse, including establishing a statewide registry, with photo ID cards, so that police know who’s protected by the law, and it establishes penalties for fraudulent cards and false statements.
It limits the amount of medical marijuana a patient can possess and cultivate, prohibits its public use, and requires facilities containing medical marijuana plants to be enclosed and locked.
It leaves intact all other criminal or civil penalties for the non-medical use, possession, and distribution of marijuana.
Michigan patients with illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis shouldn’t face arrest for simply trying to alleviate their pain. By passing Proposal 1, we can extend compassion and provide peace of mind to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
For more information, visit http://stoparrestingpatients.org
Provided by: Coalition for Compassionate Care
NO
The “medical” marijuana initiative permits large amounts of crude marijuana to be smoked or eaten under the guise of medicine. This undermines our medicine approval process that requires medications to meet the rigorous approval criteria of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That process was carefully constructed over the past century to protect patients. It is dangerous to undermine it.
Marijuana legalization advocates falsely claim that marijuana is a safe treatment for nausea, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, pain and other ailments. However, numerous effective medications are currently available for these conditions.
“Medical” marijuana impacts youth. It is a step towards legalization of marijuana. Too often it is an excuse for recreational use.
“Medical” marijuana is rejected by the American Medical Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Glaucoma Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Cancer Society, National Eye Institute, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the FDA.
This initiative would allow drug users to possess 150-300 marijuana cigarettes at any given time, plus 12 plants with the ability to produce up to 57,600 cigarettes. It will put more impaired drivers on the roads and impaired employees in the workplace.
For more information, visit http://votenoonproposalone.weebly.com
Provided by: Save Our Society from Drugs
Official Ballot Language
PROPOSAL 08-2
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS HUMAN EMBRYO AND HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN
The proposed constitutional amendment would:
- Expand use of human embryos for any research permitted under federal law subject to the following limits: the embryos —
- -- are created for fertility treatment purposes;
- -- are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs;
- -- would be discarded unless used for research;
- -- were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.
- Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins.
- Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for
stem cell research.
- Prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future therapies and cures.
Should this proposal be adopted? YES NO
YES
Voting "Yes" on Proposal 2 makes vital components of stem cell research legal for finding life-saving cures and therapies for Michiganders.
The proposal:
- Provides for safe and ethical research as permitted under federal law;
- Keeps in force Michigan's ban against cloning; and,
- Allows medical research on voluntarily donated leftover embryos, for finding cures and treatment. These would otherwise become medical waste.
The procedure required to conduct vital stem cell research is now illegal in Michigan, even though it holds the promise of cures and treatment for deadly and debilitating diseases and conditions including Parkinson's, diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer's, sickle cell, and spinal cord injuries. Finding cures and treatments is the right thing to do. It is time for Michigan to participate with almost every other state in the nation in the fight against debilitating disease. A small minority should not be able to keep you and your family from the best medical treatments available.
Working to cure disease is the right thing to do. Stem cell research holds the greatest hope of curing and treating deadly and debilitating diseases and conditions.
On November 4, remember Prop 2 means cures!
Provided by: CUREMICHIGAN
NO
Proposal 2 would remove state and local oversight of all for-profit corporations, public entities, and individuals involved in research on live human embryos or embryonic stem cell research. This proposed constitutional amendment provides that no state or local law may prevent, restrict, obstruct, discourage, or provide disincentives to any stem cell research. In other words, no laws apply to stem cell research. If passed, and a corporation were selling their research only to the highest bidder, the state could not step in. If a corporation were involved in stem cell experimentation that involved viruses or other risky behavior, the state could not stop it or regulate it.
As written, Proposal 2 means that any public or private individual or corporation can conduct completely unregulated and unrestricted experimentation on embryonic stem cells or human embryos. There is no other sector of society in Michigan that is completely beyond the reach of state or local laws. There is too much public and private money involved in this research for the voters to allow it to be unregulated and unrestricted.
Is this really the cure Michigan needs? Proposal 2 goes 2 far. Vote No on Proposal 2.
Provided by: MICAUSE |