Supporters Rally To Legalize Marijuana
LANSING (WWJ) - At the state Capitol in Lansing Tuesday, pro-pot petitioners are rallying in an effort to legalize marijuana in Michigan by putting the question on the November Ballot.
Members of a grass-roots committee say prohibition isn't working, and they want to amend state law and legalize marijuana use for adults age 21 and older. The amendment would not apply to or change workplace or driving issues regarding marijuana.
So far, the petition drive is falling short. They need 323,000 signatures by the July 9 deadline and have only 25,000 now.
Does this mean a majority of Michiganders are against it?
WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with campaign organizer, attorney Matthew Abel.
"Our polling has shown that it's very close to 50-50 and the poll numbers have been moving our way steadily for 40 years," Abel said. "We're confident that if we can get it on the ballot that it will pass."
Able attributes their current signature shortfall to the lack of a powerful political lobby.
"The reason why we are so slow at doing this is that we are self-funded. We do not have a deep pocket that is helping us," he said. "The next 60 days are critical to us."
After voters approved Proposal 1 in 2008, Michigan became the 13th U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana in April 2009. More than three years later, questions still remain surrounding sales.
