Pubdate: Mon, 02 Jun 2014
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2014 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MICHIGAN SHOULD REVIEW POT LAWS

Communities Throughout State Increasingly Relaxed Penalties for 
Marijuana Possession

Despite a recent poll that found 52 percent of Michigan residents 
remain opposed to legalizing marijuana, approximately a dozen 
communities throughout the state will try to decriminalize pot this fall.

Lifting the statewide prohibition on marijuana, which has caused no 
reported overdoses, is largely non-addictive, medicinally treats 
numerous diseases, and is a pain reliever, could save Michigan 
taxpayer dollars, and bring the state's law in line with the will of 
a majority of its voters. That option should be up for discussion. 
Many communities - including Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing, Ferndale, 
Jackson, Ypsilanti, Grand Rapids and Flint - have already 
decriminalized possession.

Efforts are underway for ballot initiatives this fall in Oak Park, 
Hazel Park, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, East Lansing, Lapeer, Utica, 
Port Huron, Clare, Onaway, Harrison and possibly more, according to 
the Safer Michigan Coalition, which is spearheading some of the efforts.

Nationwide, marijuana prohibition is increasingly losing support. 
Seventeen states - including Michigan's neighbor, Ohio - have 
decriminalized possession of the drug. That typically means offenders 
serve no prison time for first-time possession of small amounts of 
marijuana, and the offense is treated like a traffic violation.

"In cities throughout Michigan, people are ready to liberalize or 
repeal marijuana prohibition," said Matt Abel, executive director for 
the Michigan chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws. "Not one of these city efforts has ever failed [in 
Michigan]. Any marijuana liberalization put to a vote in Michigan has won."

While some view marijuana is a "gateway drug" that leads users to 
addictive, more harmful drugs, marijuana is also used medicinally as 
an "exit drug." It is a less threatening alternative to powerful and 
addictive drugs currently on the rise in Michigan, and can help 
opiate users end reliance on the strong drugs.

Overdose deaths from heroin in the state increased from 271 during 
1999-2002 to 728 from 2010-12, according to state data. But there 
remain no reported deaths from marijuana overdoses.

In addition to saving lives, decriminalizing pot in Michigan would 
save the state money spent on police time, prisons, rehabilitation, 
probation and other budget items, like laboratory drug testing 
required if possession is a criminal offense.

According to an ACLU report, states will spend more than $20 billion 
enforcing marijuana laws over the next six years, if legislation 
remains as it currently is. That spending could be eliminated or 
redirected toward arrests for violent crimes.

Additionally, if the drug is regulated in the same way as alcohol and 
tobacco, the state stands to bring in significant revenue off a new 
taxable commodity.

Michigan should look to communities that have experimented with 
decriminalization. In Grand Rapids last year, after three months of 
decriminalizing the drug, police said there were no significant 
changes in the number of marijuana cases.

 From May through July 2013, police encountered 266 cases of 
marijuana use or possession. In 2012, for the same time period, the 
number was 259 cases. The difference is, in 2013, all but 22 were 
civil infractions.

Legislation was introduced in the Michigan House last year by state 
Rep. Jeff Irwin to decriminalize marijuana, but it has yet to move 
through the Legislature.

Organizers are beginning to collect community signatures, but no 
statewide repeal effort is underway. Such an effort would require 
approximately 250,000 signatures throughout the state, and 
significant funding, according to Abel. He said many are gearing up 
for a 2016 proposal.

There's no doubt sentiments toward marijuana use are changing 
throughout the country. A comprehensive review of Michigan's policies 
is in order. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom