Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Two years after decriminalizing marijuana at a local level, Saginaw voters may get a chance in 2016 to legalize the drug statewide.
The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee will be in Saginaw for a town hall meeting Saturday, July 18, to answer questions from residents about the campaign to put a marijuana legalization proposal on the 2016 ballot. The meeting will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at Butman-Fish Library, 1716 Hancock in Saginaw.
The group, which has branded itself as MI Legalize, is one of two ballot committees now out in the field collecting signatures to put their competing legalization proposals on the 2016 ballot.
The group's proposed initiative would legalize use and possession by anyone over 21 years old and calls for a 10 percent tax on retail marijuana sales, with revenues going to toward roads, the School Aid Fund and local government.
MI Legalize board members Rick Thompson and Jamie Lowell and Thetford Township Trustee Eric Gunnels all plan to attend the event in Saginaw Saturday.
"How should we legalize cannabis in Michigan?" Lowell asked. "Our question and answer session will help people understand the MI Legalize proposal and learn that it's not something to be frightened over."
The statewide push comes in the wake of local marijuana legalization and decriminalization initiatives passed by local voters across Michigan, including in Saginaw.
City voters in November 2014 passed a proposal to decriminalize marijuana, with 60 percent voting in favor of the ballot question.
"Saginaw has been on the forefront of marijuana law reform in Michigan," Thompson said. "City residents have already voted in favor of a local legal program. Regional residents will get their chance to do the same in 2016."
Saginaw was one of 11 communities with a marijuana decriminalization proposal of some sort on the November 2014 ballot.
Those passing proposals joined other communities including Ann Arbor, Detroit, Ferndale, Traverse City, Flint, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, Ferndale, Jackson and Lansing to pass one of four different brands of pro-marijuana proposals:
MI Legalize has 180 days from the campaign kickoff of June 25 to collect the 252,523 valid signatures needed to make the ballot.
Organizers are optimistic of the campaign's chances, pointing to a recent poll indicating about 56 percent of Michigan residents favor legalizing the use of marijuana for adults.
But other polls have shown different results, including a recent poll from The Marketing Resource Group that showed 51 percent of Michigan voters support legalizing recreational marijuana.
Saturday's meeting in Saginaw will include a presentation on the language of the initiative and an explanation of the differences between the two ballot groups.
Organizers also hope to address concerns raised by area law enforcement and prosecutors and answer any questions posed by those in attendance.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana legalization campaign coming to Saginaw for town hall meeting | MLive.com
Author: Mark Tower
Contact: mtower@mlive.com
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
Website: Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee will be in Saginaw for a town hall meeting Saturday, July 18, to answer questions from residents about the campaign to put a marijuana legalization proposal on the 2016 ballot. The meeting will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at Butman-Fish Library, 1716 Hancock in Saginaw.
The group, which has branded itself as MI Legalize, is one of two ballot committees now out in the field collecting signatures to put their competing legalization proposals on the 2016 ballot.
The group's proposed initiative would legalize use and possession by anyone over 21 years old and calls for a 10 percent tax on retail marijuana sales, with revenues going to toward roads, the School Aid Fund and local government.
MI Legalize board members Rick Thompson and Jamie Lowell and Thetford Township Trustee Eric Gunnels all plan to attend the event in Saginaw Saturday.
"How should we legalize cannabis in Michigan?" Lowell asked. "Our question and answer session will help people understand the MI Legalize proposal and learn that it's not something to be frightened over."
The statewide push comes in the wake of local marijuana legalization and decriminalization initiatives passed by local voters across Michigan, including in Saginaw.
City voters in November 2014 passed a proposal to decriminalize marijuana, with 60 percent voting in favor of the ballot question.
"Saginaw has been on the forefront of marijuana law reform in Michigan," Thompson said. "City residents have already voted in favor of a local legal program. Regional residents will get their chance to do the same in 2016."
Saginaw was one of 11 communities with a marijuana decriminalization proposal of some sort on the November 2014 ballot.
Those passing proposals joined other communities including Ann Arbor, Detroit, Ferndale, Traverse City, Flint, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, Ferndale, Jackson and Lansing to pass one of four different brands of pro-marijuana proposals:
- Medical marijuana
- Lowest law enforcement priority
- Legalization
- Decriminalization
MI Legalize has 180 days from the campaign kickoff of June 25 to collect the 252,523 valid signatures needed to make the ballot.
Organizers are optimistic of the campaign's chances, pointing to a recent poll indicating about 56 percent of Michigan residents favor legalizing the use of marijuana for adults.
But other polls have shown different results, including a recent poll from The Marketing Resource Group that showed 51 percent of Michigan voters support legalizing recreational marijuana.
Saturday's meeting in Saginaw will include a presentation on the language of the initiative and an explanation of the differences between the two ballot groups.
Organizers also hope to address concerns raised by area law enforcement and prosecutors and answer any questions posed by those in attendance.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana legalization campaign coming to Saginaw for town hall meeting | MLive.com
Author: Mark Tower
Contact: mtower@mlive.com
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
Website: Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
