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While several statewide medical marijuana and even full marijuana legalization ballot measures are getting most of the attention, it is important to remember this November will also feature several big marijuana reform initiatives that will be decided at the local level. The latest one to make a local ballot is an initiative in Grand Rapids Michigan to decriminalize small possession of cannabis. It is the result of the work by the Decriminalize GR campaign. From Mlive.com:
City Commission this morning approved ballot language for a marijuana proposal that voters will consider in November. A city charter amendment sought by Decriminalize GR would make possession and use of marijuana a civil infraction enforced with a ticket, and prohibit Grand Rapids authorities from referring violations for criminal prosecution under state law.
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Decriminalize GR last week submitted to the city clerk a petition with more than 10,000 signatures calling for the city charter amendment. The clerk’s office on Monday verified that the at least 6,565 of the signatures – the minimum 5 percent of registered city voters needed to get the proposal on the ballot – were valid.
If approved it would change the city’s laws to make being caught with marijuana a civil infraction punishable with only a $25 fine for the first offense. Fines would increase modestly for subsequent offenses.
Grand Rapids won’t be the only major city in Michigan voting on marijuana this November. After a lengthy two year legal battle the Coalition for Safer Detroit has an initiative that will finally be allowed to go before the voters in the city. If approved it will eliminate all local penalties for the possession of less than an ounce. Possession would still technically be illegal under state law.
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Under Ann Arbor city ordinance, simple possession is a $25 civil infraction (raised from $5 during the Nancy Reagan era). However, the University of Michigan police charge violators under state law, which classifies possession as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail (rarely given) and a $100 fine.
Unrelated fun fact: Grand Rapids is the microbrewery capital of Michigan, and was co-winner of the “Beer City USA” vote (with Asheville, NC) earlier this year.
The thing I like most about this story is there is no BS push for “treatment”. This is where IMO “liberals” go off the rails by forcing “treatment” on people. Currently have a friend who got caught with a bag and she is having to play the game and pee in a cup once a month and attend those horrible group sessions and listen to other people share their stories about how meth or oxy messed up their lives. After her 9 months is up she’s just going to go back to toking like she always has. I still dont know who exactly you treat a pot addiction when it isnt actually addictive.