Jacob Goldstein
Wall Street Journal Health Blog

In Michigan, embryonic stem cell research is more controversial than medical marijuana — but, ultimately, Michiganders approve of both.

Proposal 1, a medical marijuana initiative, passed by a margin of 63% to 37%, with 87% of precincts reporting, the Associated Press reports this morning. The bill legalizes the use of medical marijuana by patients with “debilitating medical conditions” when approved by a physician. Michigan will become the 13th state to legalize medical marijuana use.

Proposal 2, a measure likely to expand embryonic stem cell research in the state, passed — but by a much narrower margin than Proposal 1. The vote was 52%-48%, with 87% of precincts reporting, the Detroit Free Press reports. The measure allows researchers to use embryos from fertility treatments to create embryonic stem cells, provided that the embryos would otherwise be discarded.

That work, which involves the destruction of the embryo, is legal under federal law (though not funded by federal research dollars). But it’s been banned in Michigan under a state law that prohibits the destruction of embryos in most circumstances.