Wednesday, November 22, 2017

365,000 sign for legal cannabis in Michigan

Michigan Vote on Cannabis Legalization Is Likely in 2018 | Leafly - Associated Press:

"November 20, 2017 -  Organizers of a ballot drive to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes in Michigan submitted 365,000 signatures to the state Monday, which appears to be more than enough to qualify the initiative for a statewide vote in 2018.

"The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol said the prohibition against recreational marijuana is 'a massive failure'....

"If passed, people 21 and older could possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants at home. A 10 percent tax on marijuana would be assessed on top of the 6 percent state sales tax.

"Josh Hovey, a spokesman for the coalition, said fully legalizing the drug for adults would generate hundreds of millions in new tax revenue. He estimated that 20,000 people in the state are arrested annually for marijuana possession and cultivation....

"If state officials determine that about 252,000 of the voter signatures are valid, the bill would go to the Republican-controlled Legislature. Lawmakers would have 40 days to adopt the measure or it would be placed on the November 2018 statewide ballot.... Organizers do not expect the Legislature to consider their proposal....

"Organizers want to raise $8 million, overall. They have spent nearly all of the $600,000 collected as of Oct. 20, including for paid signature collectors.

"Irwin said he expects opioid makers to heavily fund opposition to the measure because they have done so in other states with marijuana ballot drives.

"According to national polls, a solid majority of Americans support legalization. Gallup’s latest survey gauged support at 64 percent, up from 12 percent from when the question was first posed in 1969."

Read more: https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/michigan-group-submits-signatures-to-legalize-cannabis
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