A new coalition has launched a campaign to defeat Michigan's medical marijuana ballot initiative, the Detroit Free Press reported October 3.

The statewide initiative, known as Proposal 1, would allow doctors to legally prescribe marijuana to individuals with chronic illness such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. The proposal would also permit patients to grow and use marijuana for medical use if they possess a state-issued identification card.

Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids, a coalition of doctors, law enforcement officers, parents and prevention groups, expressed concern about loopholes in the proposal.

"While the need to help people burdened with chronic pain symptoms is real, Proposal 1 ... is carelessly written and opens the door to greater access to drugs for teenagers across Michigan," said Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette in a press statement.

Members of the coalition also said that they do not want marijuana shops in Michigan's strip malls; some California medical-marijuana dispensaries operate out of storefront locations.

The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care said that Michigan's Proposal 1 would not permit cooperative growing, thereby avoiding the need for California-style marijuana shops. Proposal 1 advocates also said that teen marijuana use has fallen in states with medical-marijuana laws.

The statewide ballot initiative will be voted on in November. Surveys show that about two-thirds of Michigan residents say they favor medical use of marijuana.