While those politicians are extremly important and certainly the main focus to the election, there is more the average voter must be aware of. This year there will be three binding statewide questions that will appear on every ballot. The questions center around probable major events that may occur over the next four years, and voters get a say on them. The 2012 ballot qustions are as follows: The Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information, Prescibing Medication to End Life, and Medical Use of Marijuana.

MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR INFORMATION

The first question is a proposed law that prohibits any motor vehicle manufacturer, beginning with models from 2015, from selling or leasing a new car without allowing the owner to have access to the diagnostic and repair information made available to the manufacturer’s dealers. Thus, the manufacturer needs to allow the owner, or the owner’s desginated in-state independent repair facility, to obtain such repair information. For cars with model years 2002-2014, the law still requires a manufacturer of motor vehicles in Massachusetts to make available the same diagnostic information to owners and non-affiliated, independent mechanics. Also for these model years, the proposed law demands that manufacturers provide all diagnostic repair tools to car owners or mechanics, including even the auto repair near by. However, for all stated years, the necessary repair information would not include the information needed to reset a car immobilizer — a type of anti-theft device. This specific infomation is made available through a separate data release system. A vote yes enacts the law and require motor vehicle manufacturers to allow owners and repair facilities access to the repair information that Massachusetts dealers have access too; a no vote denies the new law. Those who oppose Question 1 argue that the current system works; Automakers already make repair information and tools available for purchase by anyone as a result of a 2002 national agreement.

PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE

The second question on the ballot will most likely be the most controversial: physcian assisted suicide. If passed, this law allows physicians licensed in Massachusetts  to prescribe medicine to end a terminally ill patient’s life. To qualify for this form of death, the patient must be mentally capable of making and communicating health care choices for themselves. Also, this patient must have been diagnosed with an incurable, irreversible disease that, with medical judgment, will cause death within a six month range. They have to voluntarily express the wish to ingest the medicine that would cause death. The request for the medication must be communicated to the physician on two separate occasions, made at least 15 days apart from each other. The patient must be given an opportunity to reject the request, and also has to sign  a form with the presence of two witnesses-only one in which could be a relative.

Not only does the patient have to follow certain rules, but so does the designated physician. The doctor is the sole person who is responsible for informing the patient of his or her personal medical prognosis, describing the risks associated with ingesting the medicine, and describing some other alternatives (such as hospice care). Then the physican must refer the patient for psychological consultation if they feel the patient might have mental or emotional disorder causing distorted judgement. Under the proposed law, the attending physcian is also required to recommend that the receiving patient have a friend or family member present when the lethal medication is ingested. Each case in which the life-ending drug is dispensed has to be reported to the state Department of Public Health. If the law passes, participation is entirely voluntary. A vote yes on Question 2  allows doctors to prescribe the medication, at the request of a terminally-ill patient, to end that person’s life. A vote no makes no new changes and does not allow the life-ending medicine to be perscribed under any conditions.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The third and final ballot question discusses the use of medical marijuana. The proposed law dismisses and eliminates state civil and criminal penalties for the use of medical marijuana by only qualifyiing patients. In order to qualify for this drug, a medical patient must be diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition such as cancer, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, et cetera. A written clarification  from the patient’s bona fide physician needs to be obtained in order to recieve the medical marijuana. This form explains from the patient’s doctor that the specified patient has the said medical condition and would in fact benefit from the use of this drug. The law permits the qualified patient to possess up to a 2 month (60 day)  supply of the marijuana for their own medical needs. The Department of Public Health is responsible for deciding how much a 60 day supply is. Also under this law, non-profit medical marijuana treatment centers  are permitted to grow and provide marijuana to patients and their designated caregivers. Fraudulent use of a permit for the sale and distribution of the drug for non-medical use or for profit could result in up to 5 years in a state prison. Despite many people’s initial reaction to Question 3, the law does not diminish federal enforcement of marijuana laws. The law is not an excuse for potheads to legally obtain or smoke weed, all Massachusetts laws prohibiting the possession of marijuna for non-medical use are still intact. Under the proposed law, one cannot use the medical marijuana to get high at schools; restaurants; or any other public places, and there are still consequences for driving while under the influence marijuana. A vote yes on Question 3 passes the law eliminating penalites related to the use of medical marijuana, but a vote no prohibits this law and makes no changes in existing laws regarding the drug.

When voters head to the polls next Tuesday, they should not only know who they are going to vote for, but they should also have a clear understanding of the 3 questions that will appear on the ballot. These questions and laws will most likey have a profound impact on many people’s lives, so every voter should know if they want to vote yes or no for these key questions.