LANSING, MI — Supporters of an initiative aiming to legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan turned petition language into the state on Friday and are aiming to get it on the ballot in 2018.
“Our goal is to end prohibition in Michigan. We think just like alcohol, it is a failed effort, and we think there’s a better way to do it,” said Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, a group that has formed to back the effort.
The language the group plans to circulate would legalize and regulate marijuana for recreational use. Those over 21 could use marijuana, but would still be unable to consume it in a public place or drive under the influence.
Local governments would get to decide whether or not to allow these businesses within their boundaries, and then the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs would regulate those businesses.
“Communities that don’t want these kinds of businesses in their communities can say no,” said Jeff Irwin, a former member of the House of Representatives and political director for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.
But for those who say yes, there will be a fiscal benefit. The marijuana will be subject to taxes: a 10 percent excise tax on retail sales plus the regular 6 percent sales tax. The coalition estimates that the industry, when matured, would bring in more than $200 million in revenues to the state.
First the revenue has to cover the cost the state bears for regulating the program. For two years, $20 million will come of the top to fund research analyzing the benefits of medical marijuana for treating veterans.
But the money left after those two items will go 35 percent to the state School Aid Fund for K-12 education; 35 percent to the Michigan Transportation Fund to repair roads and bridges; 15 percent to municipalities where a marijuana business is located; and 15 percent to counties where a marijuana business is located.
And on top of that, Irwin said, communities would be saving money from not having to enforce the state’s current marijuana prohibition.
The bill also allows for the cultivation of industrial hemp. It also leaves the state’s current medical marijuana statute in place. Under the proposal, medical marijuana and recreational marijuana could be sold at the same location.
The bill also establishes possession limits for marijuana. In public, people could possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana. At home, people could keep up to 10 ounces of marijuana, though any marijuana beyond 2.5 ounces would have to be stored under lock and key.
The coalition submitted language to the state on Friday. The next step is for the Board of State Canvassers to approve it as to form, after which the group could begin circulating it.
The group would need 252,523 valid signatures from registered Michigan voters to get the proposal before the legislature. From there, the legislature must decide within 40 days whether to adopt or reject the proposal.
If the legislature adopts it, it becomes law. If the legislature does not act, it goes to a vote of the people in 2018. The legislature can also choose to reject the proposal and come up with a proposal of its own on the same subject, in which case the two proposals would both appear on the ballot and whichever receives the greatest number of votes prevails.
The language has support from the ACLU of Michigan, Michigan NORML, MILegalize, the National Patients Rights Association, the Michigan Cannabis Coalition, the State Bar of Michigan Marijuana Law Section and the Drug Policy Alliance.
