Pubdate: Fri, 04 Apr 2014
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2014 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Gary Heinlein

ACTIVISTS SEEK TO EASE POT RULES IN MORE COMMUNITIES

12 Ballot Bids Urge Relief for Casual Users

Cannabis reform activists say they plan to put ballot proposals to
decriminalize casual marijuana use before voters in at least 11
additional Michigan cities and one county in this year's primary or
general elections.

"The state of Michigan is ripe for change," said Tim Beck of Detroit,
co-founder of the Safer Michigan Coalition that provided funding as
well as legal and consulting services for seven of eight successful
marijuana initiatives across the state since 2011.

It's part of a drive to "create chaos," as Beck puts it, and pressure
state lawmakers to move on proposals decriminalizing the
use/possession of small amounts of marijuana.

"It is highly likely every one of these efforts will be successful,"
Beck said, citing a 2012 EPICMRA poll that indicated 65 percent of
Michiganians said personal use of marijuana should be treated as a
civil infraction, equivalent to a traffic ticket.

Local organizers are circulating petitions to relax marijuana
restrictions in Hazel Park, Oak Park, Utica, Port Huron, Lapeer,
Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, East Lansing, Clare, Onaway and Harrison,
Beck said. In addition, the Benzie County Commission is being asked to
put the issue before voters on countywide ballots. Beck said similar
efforts in a few other communities still are under
consideration

Residents in the 12 municipalities will be asked to eliminate criminal
penalties and prosecution for the use of small amounts of marijuana on
private property by people who are 21 or older. Instead, they could
face penalties of $25 to $50.

Law enforcement officials say local regulations or ordinances are
superseded by state and federal laws that still call for criminal
prosecution for non-medical marijuana use. But the U.S, Justice
Department has said it doesn't go after small-time marijuana users.

If voters approve the measures, the 12 will be added to a growing list
of Michigan communities that have decriminalized small-time marijuana
use: Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale in 2013; Detroit, Grand Rapids,
Ypsilanti and Flint in 2012; and Kalamazoo in 2011.

Beck said advocates for relaxing or eliminating marijuana penalties
would prefer to accomplish their goal through state legislation, but
lawmakers have yet to reach a consensus on it. House Bill 4623,
recently introduced by Democratic Rep. Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor, would
make possessing an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction.
Cosponsors include Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D