Pubdate: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 Source: Central Michigan Life (Central MI U, MI Edu) Copyright: 2014 Central Michigan Life Contact: http://www.cm-life.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan) SNYDER, SCHUETTE ISSUE LETTERS OF OPPOSITION TO MOUNT PLEASANT MARIJUANA PROPOSAL Marijuana decriminalization in Mount Pleasant just got two more voices of opposition in the form of Michigan's governor and attorney general. Both Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette sent letters to Mount Pleasant's city commissioners care of City Clerk Jeremy Howard denouncing the proposal, which is slated to be on the Nov. 4 ballot. The proposal, spearheaded by marijuana advocacy groups on and off campus, would effectively make the use, possession and transfer of less than one ounce of marijuana legal in the city. In their letters, both men wrote that they would note approve the charter amendment if passed due to its inconsistency with state laws prohibiting marijuana consumption, possession and sale. "Whether or not the proposed amendment is approved by the voters, marijuana will remain a controlled substance under state and federal law," Snyder wrote. The governor added the amendment would hinder law enforcement's ability to enforce the law of the land. "The proposed amendment seeks to deprive the division of Public Safety of the authority to detect and arrest persons who have violated state and federal law with respect to certain marijuana-related offenses," he wrote. "Nothing in this proposed amendment limits the responsibility of a Mount Pleasant police officer to enforce the state's criminal laws, including those applicable to marijuana." Snyder and Schuette also argued that the language does not conform or is inconsistent with the Home Rule City Act (HRCA). The HRCA allows cities to develop their own governments and city charters. It also provides a mechanism for cities to amend their charters. Citing the HRCA, Schuette said the language in the proposal is "the ballot language is inaccurate because it is does not inform the voters that the proposed amendment conflicts with state law. The ballot language also does not inform the voters that state law will control regardless of whether the proposed amendment is adopted." Mount Pleasant's City Commission discussed the letters during its regular meeting Monday. City Manager Nancy Ridley said she and city staff were compiling a list of important information to effectively educate residents on the proposal. The information will be published in an upcoming Mount Pleasant newsletter. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D