Michigan’s voters first said, “Yes” to medical marijuana in 2008. Great news at the time of its passage, thanks to the 100,000-plus signatures recently gathered by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), full-blown legalization could be just around the corner for the residents of America’s 10th most populous state.
Nearly halfway to their lofty goal, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol needs to collect a total of 252,523 valid signatures by November 22, 2017, to place the initiative on the 2018 midterm ballot.
A spokesperson for the coalition, Josh Hovey, noted “The support we are seeing across the state has been fantastic. We are getting calls and emails everyday from people who understand that marijuana prohibition is a massive failure and asking where they can sign and how they can help.”
Up four points from a March 2016 poll, support for legalizing recreational marijuana now indicate 57% of those surveyed in a recent poll support the outright legalization for adults 21 over. And, following the data-driven trendline – it seems relatively safe to assume that trend will continue as we head towards November 2018.
When, not if, the ‘Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act’ receives the prerequisite signatures and is approved by Michigan’s voters in November 2018, residents in the state of Michigan would enjoy some new found liberties.
- Legalize the personal possession of no more than 2.5 ounces of recreational marijuana
- Allow the cultivation of no more that 12 “marihuana plants” for personal use
- Legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp
- License marijuana businesses that cultivate, process, test, transport, and sell marijuana
- Establish testing and safety regulations for retail marijuana
- Tax marijuana at retail levels with a 10 percent excise tax and 6 percent sales tax, which will support K-12 public schools, roads, and local governments.
Michigan’s new approach to recreational marijuana is intended to end life-altering incarceration for the personal possession and cultivation of “marihuana by adults 21 years of age or older.” Additionally, if passed by the voters, Michigan’s regulation and taxation of recreational marijuana would help eradicate illicit marijuana sales and “ensure the safety of marihuana and marihuana-infused products.”
credit:marijuana.com
