Press Release: Statement on Passage of Proposal 1

For Immediate Release
Nov. 4, 2008

The following is a statement from the co-chairs of Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Kids, Judge Bill Schuette and Jim Barrett, on election results showing Proposal 1’s approval by voters.

“Since our effort started just one month ago, doctors, cops, hospitals, family organizations and drug treatment professionals from all across Michigan have campaigned on a shoestring budget to warn voters of the very real and dangerous consequences of Proposal 1. In the end, while the facts and experiences from other states were on our side, time and resources were not. Still, this debate was an important one to have, and it should be clear to everyone that when it comes to Michigan’s health and safety, our law enforcement and medical professionals are some of America’s best. Unfortunately, Proposal 1 and its consequences have just made their already difficult jobs even harder.”

Kalamazoo Gazette: 'No' on state Proposal 1

Editorial
Friday October 31, 2008

A first look at state Proposal 1 makes the request to make medical marijuana legal in Michigan, as it is in 12 other states, appear reasonable and humane.

It has been credited with successfully relieving pain and nausea associated with cancer, chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and a host of other illnesses, often better than prescription drugs, its proponents say.

And yet, we can't support Proposal 1.

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PRESS RELEASE: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Kids Unveils First TV Ad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 29, 2008



California Experience + Proposal 1 = Michigan Pot Shops

LANSING – A statewide coalition of doctors, hospitals, law enforcement and drug treatment leaders and family organizations urging voters to say “No” on Proposal 1 unveiled the group’s first television advertisement today. Proposal 1, on the statewide ballot on Nov. 4, would legalize smoked marijuana for so-called “medical” reasons.

The 30-second spot, being run in markets across Michigan, highlights the explosion of pot shops that opened in California after voters in that state approved a law similar to Michigan’s Proposal 1. There are now many communities in California where pot shops outnumber Starbucks coffee shops.

Despite the California lesson, nowhere in the text of Proposal 1 have advocates prohibited the creation of pot shops in Michigan.

“There is not a single paragraph, sentence or word within Proposal 1 that prohibits pot shops from opening in Michigan, just like they did in California,” said Judge Bill Schuette, co-chair of Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Kids and a member of Michigan’s Court of Appeals. “Proposal 1 is a loophole-ridden proposal that brings dangerous unintended consequences that put our kids and communities at risk. Voters should say ‘No’.”

PRESS RELEASE: So, What About Those Other States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 31, 2008

Proponents of Proposal 1 don’t like it when voters look to California to see what could visit Michigan should the legalization of smoked marijuana for so-called “medical” reasons be approved on Nov. 4.

The Livingston County Daily Press reported (Oct. 20, 2008) Proposal 1 spokesperson, Dianne Byrum, saying: “11 states have adopted their own measures, and there's been no impact on law enforcement in those states.”

Really? No impact?

Teen faces adult trial in medical marijuana theft

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS – Oct. 30, 2008

MEDFORD, Ore. -- A Central Point teenager faces trial as an adult on robbery and burglary charges after medical marijuana was taken from a woman at knifepoint.

Ethan Taylor Sartin was charged with breaking through a sliding-glass door early Sunday and entering a residence in Medford, where a 54-year-old woman was threatened with a knife and robbed of an ounce or two of medical marijuana.

The 16-year-old Sartin could face seven years in prison if convicted, under the state's mandatory sentencing law.

The Jackson County district attorney's office said the crime was serious enough to ask that Sartin be tried as an adult.

Macomb Daily: Officers fight legalized pot

Thursday, October 30, 2008

By Gordon Wilczynski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer

The use of marijuana for medical purposes is a bad idea in Macomb County, according to top law enforcement officials who joined Wednesday to denounce Proposition 1.

The proposal would make Michigan the 13th state to legalize marijuana as a medical treatment if approved by voters on Tuesday.

Saying Proposition 1 is unregulated and dangerous, Eastpointe Police Chief Michael Lauretti, Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and Kathy Rager, executive director of the Macomb Community Assessment Referral & Education Center, joined with Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette to urge people to vote against it.

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