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Different routes being explored for marijuana legalization in Michigan

September 1, 2015
<p>An anonymous student grinds down marijuana in preparation to smoke it. Nearby, a pipe and smoking papers.</p>

An anonymous student grinds down marijuana in preparation to smoke it. Nearby, a pipe and smoking papers.

Photo by Julia Nagy | The State News

Irwin originally introduced a decriminalization bill during the last legislative session, but knew that it was only a first step. Irwin said it is now time to legalize and regulate adult-use of cannabis.

Irwin said that he believes many people in Michigan view the prohibition on cannabis as a complete failure that is costing the state a lot of money, and even destroying some people’s lives.

“Every time we spend big money paying prosecutors and court officers and probation officers, and everyone else to grind people through that system,” Irwin said. “People are having to hire lawyers and miss work and have their lives turned upside down.”. “There’s all sorts of consequences to the drug war, both financially as taxpayers, and for the people who are ensnared in it.”

Irwin said he has already circulated a draft of his new legislation to legalize marijuana to law enforcement, other legislators and even marijuana legalization activists around the state, and hopes to formally introduce the bill within the next few weeks.

Irwin said while the feedback has been fairly positive, there are varying ideas about how cannabis should be regulated upon legalization.

“There are some people who look at the legalization of marijuana and they say we need to treat marijuana like enriched uranium and make sure that we track every gram of it and develop very rigorous and strict standards for everything from testing to labeling to handling of the product,” Irwin said.

Irwin’s approach, he said, is more of a free market approach which would see a five percent excise tax on marijuana, which would grow to a 10 percent excise tax over a five year period.

The money the state generates from the excise tax under Irwin’s bill would be divided up to roads 40 percent, to schools 40 percent and the final 20 percent would go to substance abuse treatment programs.

Irwin said that under his bill, local municipalities would have the option of banning marijuana cultivation and retail establishments.

Based on the revenue that Colorado and Washington have generated and adjusting it for Michigan’s larger population and economy, Irwin said he estimates full legalization under his bill could generate $100 million in revenue for the state.


MI Legalize's Ballot Proposal

This proposal is on track to collect all of the 252,000 necessary signatures they need to go back to the Michigan Board of Canvassers to be considered for inclusion on the 2016 ballot, according to the Deputy Director of MI Legalize Jamie Lowell.

Under MI Legalize's proposal Lowell said there would be a 10 percent excise tax, and adult users would be able to grow up to 12 plants without getting a license. If an adult wanted to grow more or sell it, they would have to apply for a license.

Lowell said part of their comprehensive approach is to allow farmers to grow and sell hemp for the production of consumer goods.

Lowell said they estimate their proposal would save the state $300 million right away by no longer having to enforce marijuana laws, and it could potentially generate another $200 million and about 25,000 jobs.

Lowell said the money generated would be divided up 40 percent to roads, 40 percent to education, and 20 percent back to the local community that chose to zone and create an ordinance for commercial cannabis activity in their town or city.

MI Legalize Chairman Jeffrey Hank said via email that their campaign is looking for college students, especially MSU students to volunteer for the campaign, and to work petitioning at football games and other events this fall.

“It would be great to hire some MSU students to supplement their income ending the failed war on drugs — the civil rights crisis of our generation,” Hank said.

Lowell said that while he’s happy the conversation is turning towards how marijuana will become legal, he hopes people pay close attention to the details of the various proposals.

“The good news in all of this is that as we have this discussion, it is about how legalization is going to take place in Michigan in the future, not whether or not it’s going to take place,” Lowell said. “The devil is in the details in how that gets done, and MI Legalize’s language I think just makes the most sense.”


The Michigan Cannabis Coalition's Proposal 

This proposal is also nearing the necessary signatures to meet their deadline, but is quite different from the other two in how it would regulate marijuana.

Matt Marsden, the spokesperson for the MCC said their proposal would allow a Cannabis Control Board to handle the regulatory framework of marijuana.

“I think ours is focused on creating a new industry in Michigan, much like the micro brewing industry or the distillery industry or the vineyard industry, ” Marsden said. “In which we follow a pattern of creating a cannabis control board, much like the Gaming Control Board or the Liquor Control Commission, which will establish and propagate the rules and regulations by which adults participate in the purchase and use of marijuana in the privacy of their own home.”

Marsden said they do not specify the tax rates because they believe it is the responsibility of the legislature to set tax rates at a fair level, that is not too high as to create a black market, but not too low that it doesn’t generate enough revenue.

Marsden said under the MCC’s proposal, an individual in a home situation could grow up to two flowering plants, but a local municipality could allow for up to four plants to be grown in a home.

Marsden said a local municipality could place a fee or charge on the extra two plants if they choose to generate more revenue for the city.

Marsden said the MCC does however, specify the revenue generated under their proposal would go towards education, public safety and public health.

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