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ONDCP Head Attacks Medical Marijuana in Michigan
October 16, 2008

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News Summary

The campaign to stop Michigan from legalizing medical marijuana has enlisted the aid of a top federal antidrug official, the Detroit Free Press reported Oct. 14.

John Walters, head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), joined retiring Michigan Appeals Court Judge Bill Schuette to slam Michigan's Proposal 1 at a press conference, where they dubbed the medical-marijuana measure a drug-legalization scheme and warned that it could lead to more drug addiction.

Walters said that marijuana has no legitimate medical use and that medical marijuana laws "make it easier for addicts to stay addicted."

Proposal 1 is a "risky scheme," according to Schuette, who said the measure could lead to the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries, as a similar measure has in California. Schuette co-chairs Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids, an anti Proposal 1 group.

However, according to the group Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care Michigan's proposal does not authorize marijuana dispensaries.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Anonymous on 04 Nov 08 01:03 AM EST
I am only in my 20's and I have a severe nerve injury. After much research and working with my medical team, they have come to the conclusion that I would benefit from using Medical Marijuana. It is so obvious that all those that are so eager to say no to legalizing Marijuana don't give a damn about all those that are in massive pain every second of their life. How can you be so damn cruel to deny a treatment that could essentially allow someone to live to see another day..? There are patients out here suffering and in intense agony, trying to survive devastating medical conditions. All those that are saying NO to this proposal..how about walking in our shoes for a day? Today its one of us with a life threatening illness..cancer, HIV, neuropathy, etc. but tomorrow it could be one of your loved ones. The medical potential that this plant could have is amazing for those that are in dire need of a miracle.

Posted by Shane Cliffton on 28 Oct 08 07:44 PM EDT
dr dave - I do not smoke marijuana, but have many friends that have, and still do. It's recreational too. It has been at least seven years since they started, and they have never touched any other drug. Not a gateway pal. FDA is sponsored by Big Pharma, who wants big profit.

Posted by B RUBIN on 17 Oct 08 03:28 PM EDT
I HAVE READ RESEACH ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA WHICH PROVED THAT IT DID IN FACT WORK IN REDUCING NASUEA DO TO CHEMO AND REDUCED THE PRESSURE IN THE EYE DUE TO GLAUCOMA.THE WHITE HOUSE UNDER THE WORST PRES. IN U.S. HISTORY STILL DENIES THIS CREDIBLE REASEARCH.SOON THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN COMPASSION AND RECOGNIZING COMPETANT RESEARCH.

Posted by dr dave-idaho on 17 Oct 08 12:37 PM EDT
I am very glad the ONDCP is involve with this issue. As a physician I truely question any legitimate medical indication for the use of marijuana. This is simple, Marijauna is a schedule C-I medication that indicates to the FDA that there is no known medical indication. So I believe that if a state overrides the federal laws and legalize medical marijuana, then just take away any federal funding that they receive for highways, etc. They should even consider removing any funding for treatment to see how big their problem will become by allowing this gateway drug. but this would hurt people that need treatment to get help, not idiots that will not stop using

Posted by John from Oceanside on 17 Oct 08 11:43 AM EDT
Prop 215 in California does not authorize marijuana dispensaries either, but we have them all over California except San Diego County. They were shut down and arrested for selling to anyone who walked in the door, and it wasn't the Feds, it was a local police opperation and our District Attorney prosecuted. They are doing State time. Observation's by a DFC grantee instigated the investagation. In Calif. I can get a recomendation for Medical Excuse Marijuana because I am a recovering drug addict and "I have stress" so all I have to do is go to a quack Doctor pay $200.00 cash, no checks are accepted, get my recomendation and I can smoke weed to ease the stress of staying clean. Michigan beware.

Posted by Bernie Ellis on 17 Oct 08 10:16 AM EDT
Three different stories in one day from Join Together about ONDCP corruption, law-breaking and cronyism. Ah yes, just the folks we need to lead us away from illegal behavior. Change we can believe in can't come soon enough.

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