Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Source: Macomb Daily, The (MI)
Copyright: 2013 The Macomb Daily
Contact:  http://www.macombdaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2253
Page: A-5

GROUPS USE $2 BILLS TO SEND PRO-MARIJUANA MESSAGE

Advocates Aim to Show Economic Impact of Potential Legalization

SOUTHFIELD (AP) - Advocates pushing for broader legalization of
marijuana in Michigan hope to send a message of support - and economic
clout - by spending $2 bills.

Supporters of the cause are being asked to spend at least one of the
typically less-used $2 bills for every cash purchase in the three
weeks starting Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Steven Greene, 45, of South Lyon, picked up $200 in $2
bills from a credit union in the Detroit suburb of Southfield. Greene
is a state-registered user of medical marijuana and a caregiver
licensed by the state to grow medical marijuana for others.

Greene, who hosts a weekly radio talk show on medical marijuana and
other issues, said the use of the bills could remind people of
possible tax revenue from marijuana sales.

"People will also realize, if you arrest us, you're taking that same
money out of circulation, and you're spending tax dollars to put us in
jail," he said.

Michigan voters approved marijuana for some chronic medical conditions
in 2008, but the state Supreme Court ruled in January that medical
marijuana dispensaries aren't allowed. Michigan has roughly 130,000
registered users of medical marijuana.

"We want this $2 drive to spark conversations in chambers of commerce
and during business lunches of shop owners," said Rick Thompson,
editor of the Flint-based Compassion Chronicles website. "They're
going to start to realize they shouldn't just dismiss this big segment
of Michigan's economy."

Thompson also hopes to reach marijuana opponents who have not been
swayed by other arguments for widening marijuana legalization.

Carol Mastroianni, executive director of the Birmingham Bloomfield
Community Coalition, said she was disappointed to learn of the $2 bill
drive. Her group is one of dozens of similar nonprofit community
groups that promote drug-free lifestyles for youth.

"To me, the whole medical marijuana thing is not supposed to be about
economic clout. It's supposed to be about health and quality of life,"
Mastroianni said.
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