Delta sparks marijuana debate

Marijuana’s legal status in Michigan generated plenty of heated discussion on April 8, as Delta College hosted a debate on the future of the herb.

The debate was a big hit, with attendees filling up the lecture theater seats, standing in aisles, and propping the door open and listening from the hallway.

“It should be your God given right to light up,” said Edward M. Czuprynski, an attorney and marijuana advocate from Bay City, generating applause and cheers. “It’s a step toward citizen rights, it’s all about civil liberties.”

Besides Czuprynski, the panel included two Delta College students – Charles Drake and Sheila Killey; other members of the panel were Jeff Dykhuizen, professor of Psychology;

Mike Krecek, health officer of Midland Department of Public Health; and Amy Muwarski, treatment coordinator at Saginaw County Health Department.

The debate started with the background of marijuana which then segwayed into the herb’s medical and recreational use. Delta College history instructor Amy French served as moderator.

Across the board, the panel agreed that the penalties for marijuana were too harsh and they were for the decriminalization of the herb, or at least a reduction of the penalties. Drake and Czuprinski were for full legalization with regulation, while Dykhuizen was for decriminalization or reduction of penalties.

“Short-term and long-term effects of cannabis consumption are not as severe as those for alcohol and tobacco,” Dykhuizen said.

During the audience participation segment, Dr. Bob Townsend, a chronic pain physician, receiving a thunderous applause from the audience as he expressed support for marijuana.

After the debate, Townsend said “the major side effect of marijuana is exposure to law enforcement.” He said when he deals with people with chronic pain, he tells them “you can take Tylenol which damages the liver, you can take narcotics which has depressed respirations and has addiction issues, or you can take a substance that is not addictive and has no side effects and has never caused a single death.”

Townsend, who said he has never smoked marijuana, stated that “marijuana can reduce narcotic pain by half, and if marijuana can help with that, I count that as a win.”