Michigan may be voting on the legalization of recreational use of marijuana in 2018.
Leaders of a statewide campaign to legalize marijuana say they’ve garnered enough votes to put the issue on state ballot next year.
The Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol says it’s gathered more than 100,000 signatures than the 252,523 required by law to get an issue on the Michigan ballot.
However, the group is currently trying to raise an additional $30,000 to pay a signature collection vendor and submit the documents to the state.
They say they’ll hold a press conference in Lansing Nov. 20 before submitting the signatures to the state.
“We have been working hard all summer to collect the more than 250,000 signatures needed to ask voters to approve ending cannabis prohibition in Michigan, and on Monday that phase of the campaign will be complete,” said National Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Aaron Smith.
The CRMLA wants to make it legal for adults 21 and older to be able to use pot that has safety standards and the ability to bring in tax revenue.
"The people have been far ahead of the politicians when it comes to marijuana reform," said Josh Hovey, spokesperson of CRMLA.
Just last week, Detroit residents voted in favor of two ballot proposals to ease restrictions on medical marijuana zoning.
The first proposal required the city to opt into a state law that recognizes licenses for growing, testing, processing, transporting and provision centers. The second proposal expands the zones for medical marijuana facilities to operate. It also removes distance restrictions for dispensaries in proximity to day care centers, liquor stores, parks or arcades.
The proposals replace Detroit's current strict medical marijuana ordinance the City Council approved in 2016, which has led to the closing of nearly 190 medical marijuana facilities.
