The Push To Legalize Marijuana In Michigan Grows Higher

[bobandtorey]

The race to legalize both medical and non-medical, also known as “personal use,” Marijuana in Michigan has been set at full speed recently. Several groups, including MILegalize and the Michigan Cannabis Coalition, have set a new standard for petitions when it comes to legalization.

“There has been a general lack of respect for medical marijuana laws across the state,” said Jamie Lowell, a board member for MILegalize and the co-founder of the Third Coast Compassion Center in Ypsilanti. “There is a need to have more clarity and a more substantial policy that really would help to protect people and offer another clear message that people are okay with cannabis being legal and regulated in the state.” These petitions state a clear approach to the legalization of marijuana and its multiple uses.

The two groups have slightly differing approaches, but each are representing the fight to legalize marijuana in Michigan in a way that hasn’t necessarily been seen before. The MILegalize petition brings up the issue of hemp, and advocates for the possession, cultivation, and processing of hemp and products made from hemp.

The Michigan Cannabis Coalition discusses, in it’s language, the creation of an independent board that is staffed by experts in the field of agriculture and the public in general. Both MILegalize and the Michigan Cannabis Coalition have had a clear stance on the taxation of marijuana, which will contribute to things like education, public safety, roads, and transportation.

“This would be the best, most comprehensive, and free-market oriented approach yet,” Lowell said. “So our petition is an evolution of what has happened before and where the consciousness of the people is now, and would be a trailblazer for states for legalization.”

MILegalize believes in putting an end to this investor driven model that is so common in petitions to legalize marijuana. This trend, referred to as “Big Money,” uses only a limited number of distributorships around the state, and essentially form oligopolies that control the entire market. This was one of the main reasons voters in Ohio rejected legalization, according to Lowell.

Support for legalization has grown over the past several years, and approximately 53 percent of Americans believe that it should be legalized, according to the Pew Research Center.

“American’s have rights, and these rights are inherent and unalienable,” said Chuck Ream, member of MILegalize’s board of directors. “Your relationship with nature is an unalienable right.”

Although that is the majority, there are still groups in each state that advocate against the legalization of personal use marijuana. Michigan’s attorney general Bill Schuette has made comments about his stance on legalization in multiple interviews, and stands by his ideals.

“We should not go down this road of legalizing drugs,” Schuette said to Lansing Television station WILX a few years ago. “It exposes young kids, children, to ever more potent drug use, and I think that’s not good for them in the future.” Many opposers of the legalization of cannabis become potentially worried, because legalization may make it easier for younger people to get ahold of drugs. Even with the petition stating that people must be 21 or older to possess marijuana, there is no way to be certain that this will be upheld.

Many voters in certain cities in Michigan have already voted for the decriminalization of marijuana — including Ann Arbor. Quite a few states, including Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Washington DC have even gone so far as to fully legalize it, although it still remains illegal under federal law.

“Michigan is ready to legalize,” Ream said. “Washtenaw County has been a laboratory for Michigan, with this whole concept of dispensaries, and legalization, and have you heard anyone complaining?”

Needing 80,000-90,000 more signatures to get to the full 253,000 they need to put their petition on the Nov. 2016 ballot, MILegalize’s comprehensive, free-market oriented approach seems to appeal to many people in the area. The goal of MILegalize specifically is to see a major difference in the amount of jobs and business opportunities brought to Ann Arbor, a drop in crime rate due to law enforcement focusing more on crime and having more time and money to do so, and the addition of revenue to the government with the help of taxes going up to a projected 200 million to go to the state, explained Ream.

Lowell shows appreciation to the states that have already announced full legalization.

“They really helped us let citizens know that legalization can happen and the sky won’t fall, and children won’t spontaneously implode,” Lowell said. “The activity happens anyway, let’s just try and take some control of it and benefit everybody.”

 

http://www.washtenawvoice.com/2015/12/14/the-push-to-legalize-marijuana-in-michigan-grows-higher/

[t-pain]

90,000 wtf

[beourbud]

90,000 wtf

I am surprised you are surprised.

And the BS about the extension is just that BS

 

Mi Legal Lies

The Fracking Group

The prevailing wage Group

They all want extensions, The GOP leadership will never grant extensions for petitions against the WOD, Petroleum ind, or fair wages.

Edited December 14, 2015 by beourbud

[bobandtorey]

90,000 wtf

i already knew that number 90.000 was told to me last month 

[bobandtorey]

I am surprised you are surprised.

And the BS about the extension is just that BS

 

Mi Legal Lies

The Fracking Group

The prevailing wage Group

They all want extensions, The GOP leadership will never grant extensions for petitions against the WOD, Petroleum ind, or fair wages.

Mi Legal Lies ? it's politics = lie's that is how things work Imho keeping the other side wondering whats Up ! 

[Restorium2]

Mi Legal Lies ? it's politics = lie's that is how things work Imho keeping the other side wondering whats Up ! 

Lies don't fly around here though. We see right through them. Do you want us to pretend we don't see them?

[Greg Rx]

I am surprised you are surprised.

And the BS about the extension is just that BS

 

Mi Legal Lies

The Fracking Group

The prevailing wage Group

They all want extensions, The GOP leadership will never grant extensions for petitions against the WOD, Petroleum ind, or fair wages.

There is no permission needed. We have till June to turn in signatures for the November election. If you read Bobs earlier post, you would know that the down side is sigs over 180 days go into limbo where they may or may not be counted. Secondary reason is to make sure it stays on the November ballot and not in April. The 90,000 number is dated but we could always use an extra 90,000.

STOP with the Mi Legal Lies BS,  

[Greg Rx]

Lies don't fly around here though. We see right through them. Do you want us to pretend we don't see them?

Better to pretend you know your azz from a hole in the ground

[beourbud]

There is no permission needed. We have till June to turn in signatures for the November election. If you read Bobs earlier post, you would know that the down side is sigs over 180 days go into limbo where they may or may not be counted. Secondary reason is to make sure it stays on the November ballot and not in April. The 90,000 number is dated but we could always use an extra 90,000.

STOP with the Mi Legal Lies BS,

 

Sorry the slogan offends you. But it accurately describes what bob calls the politics of it.

 

Legal Lies end where Abrogate begins

[Restorium2]

Better to pretend you know your azz from a hole in the ground

That's what the sig gathers are doing, as we see daily proof of that. It does seem like they are enjoying themselves, escaping reality for a few hours of sig gathering.  It is what it is....

[imiubu]

There is no permission needed. We have till June to turn in signatures for the November election. If you read Bobs earlier post, you would know that the down side is sigs over 180 days go into limbo where they may or may not be counted. Secondary reason is to make sure it stays on the November ballot and not in April. The 90,000 number is dated but we could always use an extra 90,000.

STOP with the Mi Legal Lies BS,  

 

IMO referring to 'legal lies' is no worse than milegalize stating it will "end prohibition".

 

There is more truth in the former than the later.

 

Even after numerous complaints about them perpetuating this LIE milegalize printed

t shirts touting this same LIE. 

 

I have a great amount of respect for those on the milegalize crew that I know personally,

and respect everyone else who believes that this is the way to go.  Those who put their

selves out there, show up to get the job done.  Big ups to all of you.

 

I do not agree on this particular issue yet I respect your belief and right to your opinions.

[+Malamute]

Secondary reason is to make sure it stays on the November ballot and not in April

That is actually a lie, or not reading the law.

 

Already passed the window for April.

 

 

Petitions for statutes must be filed 160 days prior to election, allowing the legislators 40 days to pass the proposed law.

 

[Greg Rx]

That is actually a lie, or not reading the law.

 

Already passed the window for April.

Better check again, new law just passed and signed into law. But what is the f'ing difference?

[beourbud]

 

Better check again, new law just passed and signed into law. But what is the f'ing difference?

Even if true this proves how fast a law can be implemented by repubs for repubs.

 

^^^^^^^^

1

[+Malamute]

Better check again, new law just passed and signed into law. But what is the f'ing difference?

 

Can you show me the law?

[BirdHunter]

Can you show me the law?

Yes? Someone please link this law change that Mr. hanks speaks of. I can't find it either.

[imiubu]

Yes? Someone please link this law change that Mr. hanks speaks of. I can't find it either.

 

Yes please, I've been searching also.

[t-pain]

this is the only thing i can find

 

https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_the_initiative_process_in_Michigan#tab=Changes_in_the_law

 

Senate Joint Resolution K: This bill was designed to clarify the state's already existing provision preventing the use of the veto referendum power against appropriation bills.

 

House Bill 4756: Was designed to dictate that both bills and indirect initiatives approved by the legislature take effect 90 days after they are filed with the secretary of state, unless they are approved by an immediate effect vote, which requires a two-thirds supermajority vote of the legislature.

 

House Joint Resolution U: Was designed to dictate that both bills and indirect initiatives approved by the legislature take effect 90 days after they are filed with the secretary of state, unless they are approved by an immediate effect vote, which requires a two-thirds supermajority vote of the legislature.

[+Malamute]

You can search the mich leg bills under election law for any legislation.

 

I did, and checked all passed legislation(public acts) up to mid November, but I don't really see anything that really effects this other than pushing the primary back 2 weeks, which still didn't effect this.

 Not saying it hasn't happened, I just haven't seen it and really want to know.

[bobandtorey]

Michigan Cannabis Control and Revenue Act (2016)

 

The Cannabis Control and Revenue Act is an initiated state statute proposed for the Michigan ballot on November 8, 2016.

The measure would legalize marijuana for people at least 21 years old, permit marijuana cultivation and sale, and create the Michigan Cannabis Control Board to regulate the industry. Tax revenue collected from commercial marijuana facilities would be used for education, public safety and public health.^[1]

Text of measure Ballot summary

The ballot summary is as follows:^[1]

“ An initiation of legislation to allow under state law the personal possession and use of marihuana by persons 21 years of age or older; to provide for the lawful cultivation and sale of marihuana and marihuana-infused products by persons 21 years of age or older; to permit the taxation of revenue derived from commercial marijuana facilities and to require that any such taxes be used for the purposes of education, public safety and public health; to permit the legislature to require licensing of commercial marihuana facilities by establishing a Michigan Cannabis Control Board, which board would be responsible for enforcement and administration of this act; including the promulgation of administrative rules.^[2] ” Full text

The full text of the measure can be found here.

Support

The campaign leading support for the initiative is the Michigan Cannabis Coalition.^[3]

Arguments in favor

Matt Marsden, a spokesman for the Michigan Cannabis Coalition, said the following:^[3]

“ Growing marijuana is not an easy thing to do, but we think that if you have the skills, the wherewithal and the experience, you should have the opportunity to try and start this new industry.^[2] ” Opposition

Ballotpedia has not yet found arguments against the measure. If you are aware of opposition, please email it to kellie.rowe@ballotpedia.org.

Path to the ballot See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Michigan

Supporters filed the petition with the secretary of state on May 29, 2015, and it was approved by the Board of State Canvassers on June 11, 2015. An indirect initiated state statute requires 252,523 valid signatures to make the ballot in Michigan.^[4]

Found this one

 

https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Cannabis_Control_and_Revenue_Act_(2016)

[Restorium2]

 Michigan Cannabis Control Board

 

Bleh. More big government. More paper pushing jobs where they practically steal from us all day long pretending they are working. More ways for our crooked governor Snyder to get his buddies cushy jobs with huge paychecks; MONEY FOR NOTHING.

[bobandtorey]

 

"Money for nothing" and "chicks for free ?

[Restorium2]

"Money for nothing" and "chicks for free ?

That's for rock stars. I'm not going to say what these guys like.