The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has joined with several organizations in Michigan to establish a ballot campaign that will pass a sensible alternative to Michigan’s failed policy of marijuana prohibition.
This initiative will establish Michigan as a national leader in the adoption of smart adult-use marijuana laws by doing the following:
- Legalizes the possession, cultivation, and use of cannabis and industrial hemp.
- Protects consumers with regulations requiring testing and accurate labeling.
- Taxes marijuana at the wholesale level in addition to the standard state sales tax at the retail level. Half of the excise taxes will be used to make community colleges and vocational schools more affordable for Michigan residents. The other half will be directed to local governments that decide to allow marijuana businesses in their jurisdictions.
- Gives persons convicted of a non-violent marijuana crime a path to clear their criminal record.
With the help of grassroots activists and criminal law experts, we have a proposal that will end the 20,000 arrests for cannabis possession every year in Michigan. Our proposal allows more generous limitations for possession and cultivation than any other state - making Michigan the leader in personal liberties. Taking a step further, our proposal also decriminalizes possession and use beyond the generous limits set forth in the language. Also, our proposal builds on the state licensing system for medical marijuana establishments but with a focus on competition and small business opportunity.
We appreciate the work of grassroots activists and key organizations like MILegalize, the Michigan Cannabis Coalition, the National Patient Rights Association, Michigan NORML, lawyers representing the Marijuana Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, the Drug Policy Alliance, the ACLU and others who have made valuable contributions to developing this ballot language. We have also incorporated input and feedback from the public and many more stakeholder organizations across the state.
Our goal is to submit final language to the State Board of Canvassers in mid-April so that a signature collection drive can begin this spring, with the goal of being on Michigan’s November 2018 ballot. We are encouraging the public to provide feedback to help us ensure that the final language reflects the will of Michigan voters. If you have comments or feedback on the draft ballot language please send them to info@regulatemichigan.org.
