IN DETROIT, A CHALLENGE TO ALL ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

With the use of marijuana for medical reasons about to become legal in Detroit, it will behoove people on both sides of the issue not to go to extremes. 

The ordinance change, approved by city voters by a 60-40 margin in Tuesday's primary, affects only the Detroit police in terms of enforcement.  They are generally the authority most likely to bust marijuana users. 

State and federal marijuana laws will still apply in Detroit, though, and Wayne County Sheriff's deputies, State Police and federal agents -- even the city police themselves -- can still use those laws to charge even medical users with marijuana possession. 

But they shouldn't.  No agency -- including state or federal -- ought to go on the muscle just to show they can.  That would be an inexcusable diversion of resources from far more serious policing needs. 

People who take advantage of the city ordinance need to be equally circumspect.  They should not flaunt this new privilege.  The amendment is so weak and poorly structured that it invites challenge; smoking pot openly in public would put users at risk as well as simply being inappropriate. 

The Detroit City Council can review the ordinance a year from now and should at least consider changing its loose definition of which medical professionals can recommend marijuana. 

The strong yes vote in Detroit shows the need for continuing research into medical marijuana.  It's already legal in 10 states and will be on the ballot Nov.  2 in Ann Arbor.  The U.S.  Supreme Court will hear a medical marijuana case from California this fall, which may bring more clarity.  Until then, everyone would be best served by averting unproductive confrontations in Detroit.