Michigan Marijuana Legalization Ballot Measure Has Enough Signatures

State election officials have determined that activists in Michigan have collected enough signatures to place a marijuana legalization ballot initiative before voters in November.

The Bureau of Elections announced that organizers collected 277,370 valid signatures exceeding the 252,523 needed to qualify for ballot access.

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers unanimously voted 4-0 in favor of certifying signatures submitted by marijuana legalization advocates who hoped to secure a spot on the November 6 ballot, effectively guaranteeing their placement unless the Legislature rejects the measure or offers a competing proposal in the next 6 months.

The proposed Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act would allow adults over 21 to possess, grow and use small amounts of marijuana legally. Specifically, adults over 21 could grow up to 12 marijuana plants in a single residence, possess 2.5 ounces outside their homes and store 10 ounces at home in addition to what is legally grown.

State regulators would grant business licenses for cultivators, processors, testing facilities, secure transporters, retail stores and micro-businesses such as small businesses cultivating a low number of plants from which they would sell product directly to consumers. Municipalities would be empowered to regulate or ban cannabis businesses.

Retail sales would be subject to a 10% excise tax in addition to the state’s 6% sales tax. Revenues would not only cover the cost of regulation but would also fund schools, roads, local governments and FDA-approved research on medical marijuana’s role in helping military veterans struggling with PTSD and other conditions.

Source: marijuanamoment.net