This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on December 30, 2011.
This week we heard an announcement from the Ann Arbor-based group, Repeal Today For A Safer Michigan 2012, which hopes to get the “full legalization of marijuana” question in front of voters this election year. While our organization is not behind their initiative, we do applaud their efforts and see this as much needed, additional protection that medical marijuana patients desperately need.
Our community has had zero help from elected leaders, rather repeated raids and attacks from law enforcement and courts and proposed bills from the legislature that more closely resemble Jim Crow laws of the post Civil War South than real progress. Our Attorney General and detractors often exclaim “the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act will provide unintended consequences”, was “full legalization” what they spoke of? I imagine they are now questioning the brutal attacks they waged on legal patients, especially if voters approve the legalization of marijuana in the State of Michigan.
For the status quo, passage of this legislation would represent the ultimate defeat. In light of no progress or help offered to legal patients, the Marijuana Patients Organization fully supports such a ballot initiative. Not that we have a public opinion on recreational pot, we do however want the protection we are afforded, and short of any other solution offered, “full legalization” can provide our community necessary safety.
Can it pass? In order to get on the ballot this year for a vote, the organizers will need to collect roughly 400,000 signatures. We have spoken with this groups organizers and believe they have the resources, legal know how and determination to get the job done and let you decide this Fall at the ballot box.
Given the fact that Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in 2008, it should be an interesting campaign for the legalizers should the issue get in front of Michigan voters.
Tell us what you think about marijuana legalization in Michigan by using the comment section below.