Marijuana Legalization Vote Approved For November Ballot

LANSING, MI — The state of Michigan has approved the Marijuana Legalization Initiative for November ballot Thursday, according to reports. A stamp of approval was needed from the Board of State Canvassers and that the board gave its approval during a meeting Thursday morning in Lansing, WDIV reported. The proposal now could be on the ballot unless the legislature votes on it or makes a competing ballot proposal, the report said.

The 4-0 decision by the board was met with cheers by advocates for the proposal, The Free Press reported.

“The people of Michigan deserve this. They earned it,” Rick Thompson, board member of the Michigan chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws told the Freep. “We’ve faced many trials and tribulations. We’ve had so many stop and go sings from the federal government. That’s why states have to take the reins on the issue and really be the crucibles of democracy that they’ve always intended to be.”

The group supporting legalization in Michigan turned in more than 365,000 signatures from registered voters; they only needed more than 250,000 signatures.

The proposal calls for legalizing possession and sale of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for recreational use. It would be taxed at 10 percent, plus the existing 6 percent sales tax. Analysts suggest that if recreational marijuana is allowed sales in Michigan could exceed nearly $1 billion a year. Revenues would be split up to education, roads, and cities and counties with marijuana businesses.

Michigan voters approved cannabis for medical use in 2008 by a 63-37% margin, The Free Press reported.

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