NILES, Mich. — Michigan voters will decide at the polls this November whether they'll legalize marijuana for medical use. Some say it will protect registered users from a criminal record, while others fear the drug could end up in the wrong hands.

While shoppers at the Niles area Martin's Super Market put their recent purchases in their vehicles, they told WSBT News they are aware of Proposal 1. It's a Michigan ballot issue that would permit registered patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

If the proposal is supported by voters, the law would allow select users to grow and or use marijuana legally.

"This would give protection for medical marijuana patients from the fear of arrest or jail if they use marijuana under their doctor's written medical recommendation," explained Dianne Byrum. Byrum is a spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care.

"I just don't think they should use it," a shopper tells WSBT News.

"Having served in the first Persian Gulf War, I was exposed to chemical agents, " said Donald Barnes.

While talking with WSBT News, Barnes holds plaques and honors from his service. He says using marijuana helps with pain in his joints and muscles — ailments he received as a result of serving his country.

"Fibromyalgia is one of the big ones Persian Gulf veterans suffer from," Barnes said.

Retired OB/GYN George Wagoner, a vocal supporter for Proposal One, has his story posted on the Coalition's website. He says marijuana helped his wife's nausea symptoms during her chemotherapy treatments.

"I was amazed," Wagoner said via telephone. "I think anything that's this effective ought to be legal."

Wagoner said he vowed to support legalizing marijuana any way he could after his wife succumbed to ovarian cancer.

"She responded poorly to prescribed medicines," Wagoner said. "It provided partial relief — if she could keep the pills, which cost $40 or more, down."

Like Wagoner, Barnes said pills didn't work as well.

"At one time I was prescribed eight different drugs to treat these symptoms, with no effect," Barnes said.

While the proposal would only allow use by registered patients with approval from their physician, some fear it wouldn't stop there.

"If kids would get a hold of it, it'll bring the whole population down," said shopper John Harris.

However, others disagree. "I don't see the big deal with having it, if it helps someone," a supporter told WSBT.

Byrum said the legislation would require the patient to register with Michigan's Department of Community Health and pay for an annual card that would provide limited quantities of the drug, for private use — per a physician's recommendation.