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Michigan Petition to Legalize Cannabis Has 100,000 Signatures So Far

Michigan Petition to Legalize Cannabis Has 100,000 Signatures So Far

Legalization

Michigan Petition to Legalize Cannabis Has 100,000 Signatures So Far

A Michigan petition to legalize cannabis has already garnered 100,000 signatures, putting it well ahead of schedule before its November 22 due date. 

A Michigan petition to legalize cannabis has already garnered 100,000 signatures, putting it well ahead of schedule before its November 22 due date. Only a week after Nevada authorized recreational weed use and purchase in the state, this could be another big win for the legalization movement.

Michigan Petition to Legalize Cannabis Proves Successful

Headed by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), the petition has been making the rounds for seven weeks. According to Michigan news site MLive, roughly 99,209 signatures were amassed by paid grassroots workers. CRMLA put it over the 100,000 mark by collecting the remaining 3,000-plus signatures with the help of volunteers. Currently, CRMLA is halfway to their petition goal, with 252,523 signatures needed in total by November for the ballot. CRMLA hopes to have put on the ballot for state elections in 2018. If passed, Michigan would become the ninth state in the U.S. to legalize weed, as well as Washington, D.C.

What Would This Petition Mean?

As of now, the petition reflects the rubrics of legalization in states like Nevada, Colorado, and California. If put into effect, it would be legal for adults 21 and older to purchase and possess cannabis in Michigan.

The majority of the petition is concerned with industry and regulation, proposing the institution of an industrial hemp agronomy, as well as retail stores and dispensaries. Most importantly, the petition proposes that a lift on a recreational ban could funnel money into the state. Specifically, a six percent sales take would take effect, funding public schools and infrastructure repair. A 10 percent excise tax would do the same.

Gaining Momentum

CRMLA is far from alone in their endeavor. But they have partnered with a number of other organizations. Together, they’ve created a full-on statewide movement. And all in all, it’s only getting bigger.

And there’s even more at stake: a similar ballot was proposed in 2016, but failed to meet the state’s requirement for signatures.

“If we can keep up this momentum, we will have all signatures in four months rather than the six months required by state law,” Josh Hovey, a spokesperson for CRMLA, told the press.

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