ACHC Online

Alliance of Coalitions
for Healthy Communities
P.O. Box 1771
Royal Oak, MI 48068
(248) 802-6789
info@achconline.org

Survey Responses

What is your position on the medical marijuana ballot initiative?

Robert D. Alexander House of Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Elmeka Allen District Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Carlos D. Allison State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Fran Amos County Commission	Need to know more.
David Carl Anderson Circuit Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Tom Banks State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Vicki Barnett State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Joseph Barrera County Commission	I believe marijuana is helpful in some medical conditions. I should be administered in a health care setting.
Scot Beaton State Rep.	Let the people decide.
Daniel Beaubien County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Roy T. Bell County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Michele Berry County Commission	The usage of marijuana for cancer, AIDS and other extremely sick patients has a strong point, over synthetic drugs of which have many side effects or no effect at all to benefit the patient. I do advocate herbal remedies over pharmaceutical drugs which are produced not to cure but in most cases to sustain illness. Herbal drugs such as Gota Kola regenerate tissue and help the body. PassionFlower is used to relax instead of tranquilzers. Although marijuana is not in the category of Herbal Remedies neither is Aloe Vera, which kills Human Papilloma Virus/Planters Wart over any pharmaceutical remedy or procedure. Why do we not have information, cross-referencing, and regulation on Herbal Remedies? Highly Regulated usage of marijuana may benefit those in need increasing their quality of life. The sick patient or family should not be growing marijuana but the drug should be grown under regulated circumstances and dispensed as a prescription creating a highly regulated market.
John Bingham, Jr. State Rep.	Against-unless medical documentation and studies show any actual benefits and only if strictly enforced. I don't and never used drugs.
Jeanne Blake County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Donald Bortz County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mike Bosnic County Commission	Very much opposed.
Michael J Bouchard Sheriff	I am opposed to the medical marijuana ballot initiative.
Jane Boudreau Sheriff	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
John Boufford Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kone Bowman State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Denise Brainard District Judge	A judge is bound to follow the law, regardless of whether she agrees with it or not. My understanding is that there is a medically approved means of providing THC to qualifying patients, via Marinol. One of the complaints in the debate is that some patients cannot swallow the medicine in pill form, and alternative means of administering Marinol should be explored, if they have not already been developed. I believe that the language of the ballot initiative is dangerous and does not provide for sufficient regulation. It will be impossible to regulate and monitor marijuana use and distribution under the current wording of the proposal. There is already substantial marijuana abuse in our community and this ballot initiative, as written, will increase the potential for more widespread abuse.
Mary Ellen Brennan Circuit Judge	This is a tough issue because it is an attempt to ease the suffering of folks dealing with debilitating illnesses. No compassionate person wants to get in the way of easing someone's pain. The proposal allows for seriously ill patients with the approval of their primary-care doctor to possess and use marijuana for medical purposes to treat their symptoms. There is evidence that marijuana as a drug offers relief to people who are truly suffering. The concerns I have are the potential for abuse and difficulties with regulation. I do believe this is an important discussion and at some level there is value in the drug to alleviate suffering. I support the research being done to develop drugs that include THC. I think at this time, more research needs to be done but there may be legitimate medical uses for marijuana down the line.
Lisa Brown State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Bill Bullard Jr County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Tim Burns County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mark J Buszka County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Joe Callanan State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Julie Candler State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kim T Capello County Commission	No in favor.
Jean N Chamberlain County Commission	No way!
Carrie L Christoph County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Eric Coleman County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Jessica R Cooper Prosecutor	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Bert Copple House of Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Robert J Corbett Jr County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Richard Corey County Commission	I think the people's choice is important on this matter, however I have mixed emotions.
Christopher Cornelius State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
David Coulter County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Hugh D. Crawford State Rep.	I am against it. I don’t believe this exception should be made in the current law.
Lou Csordas County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Douglas Curry State Rep.	Not a supporter. I believe that there are medical methods to control the effect of cancer treatment and pain that can be used instead of marijuana.
Andrew Dabish County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Emmanuel Dabish County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Brian Dailey County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Dorothy Dean District Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Caryn Devaney State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Pat Dohany Treasurer	I would be opposed to the use of marijuana for medical purposes and would oppose any such ballot initiative.
Marie Donigan State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Merri Dorkins County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Sue Ann Douglas County Commission	I strongly oppose legalizing marijuana for any purpose.
Ezra Drissman County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
James Edward Dundas County Commission	Unfortunately it becomes easier for distribution when you legalize it for medical purposes, therefore I am against it.
Donald Eby County Commission	None.
Donald B. Elliott, Jr. State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Joseph G. Fabrizio Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kimberly Fidler County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Charles Findlay State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Frances L. Finnegan State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Dana Fortinberry Judge of the District Court	The Michigan Canons of Judicial Ethics prevent me from taking a public position on a legislative issue or ballot initiative.
Ronda Fowlkes Gross District Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mark Frankel Oakland Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Max Garza State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Marcia Gershenson County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Robert H. Giles Circuit Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Michael J Gingell County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Theodore A. Golden State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Michael Goodman State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Shelley Goodman Taub County Commission	I will not support it. There are legal pharmaceuticals that can be prescribed for those in pain.
Lisa Gorcyca Circuit Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Robert Gosselin County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Tim Greimel County Commission	I do not support the medical marijuana ballot initiative.
Gail Haines State Rep.	I am opposed to this initiative.
James M Hardin County Commission	I am totally opposed to the medical use of marijuana.
Jack Hoogendyk, Jr. Senate	Opposed.
Katherine Houston State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Edison Hubert State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Scott Hudson State Rep.	I support Medical marijuana ballot initiative.
Sandra Hunt County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Pam Jackson County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Janet Jackson County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Bradford C Jacobsen County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Ruth Johnson Clerk, Register of Deeds	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Charesa D. Johnson District Judge	As judge, my job will be to ensure that the laws of the state are enforced and upheld. If the people vote to approve the medical use of marijuana, I will follow the law and work to make sure that the law is not abused.
Frank Johnston County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Annette Keeble State Rep.	From a medical standpoint, I have not been given sufficient data that proves that there is a legitimate use for marijuana. Therefore my position on the medical marijuana ballot initiative will remain inconclusive until there is data that proves otherwise.
Dan Kelly State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Ryan King County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Joe Knollenberg House of Rep.	I oppose all efforts to legalize marijuana, even for medicinal use.
Marty Knollenberg State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Eileen Kowall State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Edward Kriewall House of Rep.	Neutral.
Thomas E. Kuhn Circuit Judge	I don't support medical marijuana initiatives.
John Kuriakuz State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Joseph W. Larkin House of Rep.	I am against medical marijuana, if it is medically necessary then the FDA would allow it to be a prescribed drug. If the FDA allows it then I have no problem with it, but it should not be dispensed to be smoked as the THC could be supplied in pill form I believe.
John Lauve State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
David Law Prosecutor	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Brenda Lawrence Oakland County Exec.	If prescribed by a doctor, medical marijuana can be an invaluable asset to a patient suffering from a serious illness or disease. It controls the severe symptoms from the illness and the severe side-effects from the medication. Many professionals in the medical field state that the benefits of medical marijuana for a terminally ill patient far outweigh any risks. Studies show that medical marijuana may even improve the immune system for those suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A medical prescription for marijuana – as with any medication – ensures proper and responsible usage.
Andy LeCureaux State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Larry Leib Prosecutor	I am opposed to it. Having consulted with the law enforcement community generally, and specifically with the Oakland County Police Chiefs, and the Police Officer Associations who support my candidacy, the risks and dangers to the community if the initiative passes are tremendous. If the initiative passes, regulation, and its enforcement will be extremely difficult and very expensive at a time when we have less money and resources. The risks to the public of those driving cars or operating machines who are on medical marijuana will soar. There is a strong possibility that those prescribed the marijuana will share it with family and friends and will end up in the hands of children. The risk of dependency for those legitimately prescribed it will no doubt go up astronomically as patients need the drug to get through their day. Certain patients will do whatever they can, even lie about their medical conditions to their physicians in order to qualify for a prescription. It will place doctors in the position of controlling how much marijuana they write and less on treatment. With our closeness to Canada and vast freeway system in the United States we face the likelihood that our illegal drug trade will increase as Canadians cross our boarder and people from other states visit us more frequently to avail themselves of our law. Overall, the initiative is dangerous and must be defeated.
Richard Lerner State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Carl Levin Senate	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Sander Levin House of Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Jon E Levin County Commission	I am generally in favor of allowing physicians to include marijuana in their dispensary of controlled substances where they deem it to be medically appropriate.
Ellen Cogen Lipton State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Christine A Long County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
David Lonier County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mark W. Lyon Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Christopher Patrick Maloney State Rep.	I do not support.
James Marleau State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Jim McCarthy County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Thaddeus G. McCotter House of Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
John P McCulloch Drain Commissioner	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Gary R McGillivray County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mattie McKinney Hatchett County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Tom McMillin State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kevin A. McNulty Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Andy Meisner Treasurer	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Tim Melton State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
David Micola State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Tom Middleton County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Fred Miller Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Daniel K Milz County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mark D Mitchell Sheriff	This has been passed in other areas, but to what extent has it helped the patients overall benefit; that's the question. There are many other drugs, medications, and therapies to relieve pain. If the Medical Marijuana issue passes, it would be much more difficult to police. Substance abuse in this county is out of control as it is. Legalizing marijuana for medical reasons does not stop anyone, especially the youth from figuring out ways to get their hands on someones prescription or however else their minds can devise a plan to fill their desires. With our high tech society, the thieves are trying to be one step ahead of the law.
John Mark Mooney Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Chuck Moss State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Eric Mozer State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Barbara Benko Murphy Oakland Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Cheryl Murray County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Jim Nash County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Brett Nicholson Drain Commissioner	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Julie A. Nicholson Judge of the District Court	N/A.
Warren P Nunlee-Bey Sheriff	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kyrian Nwagwu County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Daniel A. Obrien Oakland Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Norman J. Ochelski, Sr. State Rep.	Not sure.
L Brooks Patterson Oakland County Exec.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Amy Peterman State Rep.	While I am sympathetic to those with illnesses that cause great pain and suffering, I am very concerned about the Medical Marijuana Ballot initiative. The ballot initiative language is overly broad and if passed, would enable virtually anyone to obtain a prescription. In California, for example, “medical” marijuana is out of control…basically anyone can obtain a prescription for marijuana, including minors and young people. I am also not satisfied that medical marijuana is necessary since a variation of the drug (that is equally effective) is available in other forms that would be much easier to control and regulate.
Gary Peters House of Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Michael A. Peters State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Jeff Potter County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
David W Potts County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Dave Presnell State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mark Richardson State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kellie Riddell County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Copper S Rizzo State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Charles J Robinson County Commission	I think it should be considered. If adequate provisions are in place to stop abuse by non-medical users and if a physician prescribes it, I woould under those circumstances support such an initiative.
Mike Rogers House of Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Jim Runestad County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Scott Sampeer State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Joe Saulski County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Fred Schlemmer County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Dale Schneider Judge of the District Court	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Steven H Schwartz County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Harvey Schwartz Sheriff	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
John A Scott County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Randy Secontine Prosecutor	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Alma Wheeler Smith State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Sheila Smith Clerk, Register of Deeds	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Michael D Smith County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Karen Spector County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Josephine Spencer County Commission	If marijuana can indeed be used in a positive way medically, then it should become a narcotic labeled drug, and the same penalties should apply for misuse. However, I am concerned that there will be abuse of this drug, just as there is for other prescription drugs now available.
Nicole T Stallworth County Commission	There is just a horrific irony that there are individuals aggressively pursing this initiative, but are unwilling to deal with the mandatory minimum drug laws which force substance abuse victims into the corrections system rather than into disease treatment and management programs. I oppose the legalization of medical marijuana, not out of a desire to withhold a legitimate medical option for persons with glaucoma; or those who believe in its medicinal benefits. I oppose it because I have no confidence that there will be adequate control and enforcement mechanisms in place to assure there is not abuse. The trafficking potential is too high without stringent inventory controls, disbursement audits, and patient observance to assure there is no transference or sells to unauthorized individuals. Because of the lack of these controls and others, the negative community impact risks associated with creating both identifiable sources to acquire the drug and legal markets for its use are simply too high. Marijuana is a gateway drug and our society simply does not have the discipline at this point in our history to permit its legalization.
Jim Stevens Sheriff	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Patrick J. Sullivan State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Richard Terrell Taylor District Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Timothy Terpening State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Matt Thrasher State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Chuck Tindall State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Karen L Toth County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Evan Ross Treharne State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Steven Valentini State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Mark Venie State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Susan Wachsberg County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Rebecca S. Walsh Circuit Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Barbara Warren County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Kevin Weeden State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Paul Welday State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Thomas L Werth County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Todd White County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
John Witt County Commission	I am opposed to the initiative because I believe that it is a first step to decriminalizing marijuana, a substance which has very harmful effects on individuals and our society. I am also not convinced that marijuana can offer health benefits that are not achievable by some other legal medicine or treatment.
Jamie Wittenberg District Judge	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
David N. Wolkinson State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Dave Woodward County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Randy Young State Rep.	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Helaine M Zack County Commission	Chose not to respond to candidate questionnaire.
Karen B I Zyczynsk County Commission	Marijuana should be available for medicinal purposes.

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