Ballenger: Proposals 1 and 2 will be close vote
Michigan residents will vote for more than the president Nov. 4. They will be asked to support or oppose Proposals 1 and 2.
Bill Ballenger, former Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair, said the margins for both proposals are narrowing and the election will be close.
PROPOSAL 1
If approved, proposal 1 would allow physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients who are severely ill.
Ballenger said supporters of Proposal 1 believe it will be an aid to people suffering from severe diseases and will not damage society. Opposers, primarily law enforcement, are concerned about the gateway affect of drugs being prescribed to people.
Port Huron sophomore Jessica Bryce said she does not see a problem with Proposal 1.
"I think it's OK as long as it is strongly regulated," she said.
Ballenger said opposers of the medical legalization of marijuana argue legalization may cause the rise of "pot shops." He said supporters may argue Rhode Island did not have an increase in pot shops after marijuana was passed for medical use.
If Proposal 1 passes, patients would register with the state and could legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms, according to The Associated Press.
"To achieve constant pressure lowering, which is what glaucoma patients need, they would need to smoke eight to 10 (marijuana) cigarettes a day," Joshua Stein, assistant professor at the University of Michigan's Kellogg Eye Center, told The Associated Press.
"Since smoking marijuana can affect cognition, memory, heart rate, blood pressure ... the thought of asking a patient to smoke continuously just to (lower) pressure just doesn't make sense from our perspective," Stein said.
Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes would not affect the federal ban on the drug for recreational uses.
PROPOSAL 2
If approved, proposal 2 would allow stem cell embryonic research.
Ballenger said it has been difficult for Michigan to engage in medical purposes that can lead to breakthroughs in cures.
"Restricted law makes it difficult for medical schools to engage in stem cell embryo research," Ballenger said.
Ballenger said opponents say it does not protect human rights to life. Opponents question whether taxpayers will have to pay for stem cell research in the future.
"Supports see (Proposal 2) will benefit in future movement to take Michigan away from heavy industry," said Chris Owens, a political science assistant professor.
Supporters believe Proposal 2 could be an economic catalyst for new jobs that cannot be pursued now because of the restricted laws, Ballenger said.
Bryce said she has mixed feelings about Proposal 2.
"It's not an issue of if it should be used, but who is using it," Bryce said.
The Associated Press
contributed to this report.
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