We did it! The Associated Press has called Proposal 1.

After months of furious campaigning and an inspiring outpouring of support from patients, caregivers, and other concerned citizens across the state, it's now official: Michigan is the 13th medical marijuana state and the first in the Midwest! With the passage of Proposal 1, sick and suffering Michiganders who use medical marijuana with their doctors' recommendations will no longer fear the threat of arrest and jail.

Michigan voters have clearly signaled in no uncertain terms their support for a compassionate medical marijuana law. The new law will go into effect by December 4, and the Department of Community Health will have an additional 120 days to issue regulations for a medical marijuana registry.

Michigan's new law allows patients with debilitating medical conditions to register to use marijuana according to their doctors' recommendations. Patients will be allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana without facing arrest. They will also be allowed to grow up to 12 plants in an indoor, locked facility, or to designate a caregiver to cultivate for them.

Our state is home to 10 million people and, with the enactment of this law, nearly 25% of all Americans now live in a medical marijuana state. This in and of itself is historic, and we have the good people of Michigan to thank for it.

But some particular individuals need to be thanked for their passion, dedication, and inspiring commitment to seeing this sometimes grueling effort through to victory. Thank you to the brave patients and caregivers who spoke out on this vital issue; people like Dr. George Wagoner; Deb Brink, RN; Charles Snyder III; Stephanie Annis; Lynn Allen; Lyle Imel; Jane Stewart; Ken Shapiro; and Rochelle Lampkin.

We'd also like to acknowledge a special debt of gratitude to the countless local activists who made this victory possible. In particular, we'd like to thank those who went above and beyond in this campaign: Matt Abel; Christopher Chiles; Zach Jarou; Melody Karr; Christeen and John Landino; Dave Light; Kelsey Maniez; Brian Morrissey; Bill and Trena Moss; Greg Piasecki; Dr. Bob Pizzamenti; Anne Renaud; Leeor Schweitzer; and the Rev. Steve Thompson.

Our opposition threw the kitchen sink at us, hoping one of their false claims and outright lies would cost enough votes to tank this effort. But Michigan voters saw through the deception, and soon numerous seriously ill patients across the state will no longer need to live in fear for taking their doctor-recommended medicine.

Once again, thank you all for your passion and support throughout this historic campaign.

© 2004 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana