Detroit medical marijuana vote fast approaching

Published: July 15, 2004

On August 3, Detroit voters will have the chance to protect seriously ill people from being arrested and prosecuted by the city for using medical marijuana.

The odds look good for Detroit's medical marijuana patients. Fifty-nine percent of Michiganders support removing criminal penalties for the medical use of marijuana, according to an August 2003 poll. Voters in every state and all but one city that voted on medical marijuana ballot initiatives have passed them.

Still, there are are no guarantees in politics. But there are two things you can do to help the initiative succeed. First, make sure to mark your calendar and get directions to your polling center. Second, in these final weeks before the vote, the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care—an MPP grant recipient that is spearheading the campaign for the ballot initiative—needs your help getting out the word and educating voters. E-mail info@mmdetroit.org to see how you can help make medical marijuana a reality in Detroit.

The proposal would create an exception in the city code for medical marijuana use, with a health-care professional's supervision or recommendation.

There is already widespread support for the initiative. The Detroit Free Press published editorials in favor of the measure, which is supported by: Detroit City Council President Mary Ann Mahaffey, Council Member JoAnn Watson, U.S. Congressman John Conyers (D-District 14), former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, and state Senators Hanson Clarke (D-District one) and Burton Leland (D-District five).

The threat of arrest and prosecution for using medical marijuana recently became a reality for an MS patient from Traverse City. Click here to read about his case. Please take a few minutes to let your state legislators know about this injustice and to ask them to stop the cruel and senseless prosecution of medical marijuana patients. Take Action now.

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