Pubdate: Mon, 27 Nov 2006
Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)
Copyright: 2006 South Bend Tribune
Contact:  http://www.southbendtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/621
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARIJUANA PETITION DRIVE FOR 2008 BALLOT IS UNDER WAY IN MICHIGAN

LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan residents could legally use marijuana on 
private property for recreational or medical purposes under a measure 
proposed for the 2008 statewide ballot.

The Board of State Canvassers on Monday approved the form of a 
legislative petition proposed by Medical and Recreational Peace, an 
Eaton Rapids-based group backing the proposal.

The measure would make it legal for those 18 and older to use 
marijuana on private property. Those found using the drug in public 
would be guilty of a civil infraction punishable by a $50 fine.

The measure also would allow people to grow marijuana at their residences.

Medical and Recreational Peace must gather about 304,000 valid 
petition signatures over a six-month period to get on the November 2008 ballot.

Proponents of legalizing marijuana for those age 21 and older began 
circulating petitions last year for the 2006 ballot but did not 
collect enough signatures. Similar efforts also failed in 2000 and 2002.

Also Monday, the elections board certified the results of the Nov. 7 
election and rejected a request from residents in Allegan and 
Washtenaw counties to recount votes on behalf of Green Party 
candidate Lynn Meadows in the secretary of state election.

Michael-David BenDor, a precinct chair in Washtenaw County's 
Pittsfield Township, said optical-scan ballot tabulators were altered 
by technicians in the summer as part of an update, and there's no way 
of knowing whether the November votes were counted accurately. He 
cited an HBO documentary that claims voting machines can be tampered 
with to manipulate results.

But elections director Chris Thomas dismissed "conspiracy theories" 
and said equipment was tested for accuracy before the election. He 
also said there was no chance a recount could affect the outcome of 
the election, which incumbent Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land won 
easily over Meadows and Democrat Carmella Sabaugh.

The elections board agreed with Thomas.

Candidates in the Nov. 7 election had 48 hours beginning Monday 
morning to request a recount.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman