The Michigan Cannabis Coalition (MCC) today took a major setback in their campaign to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Michigan. In a surprise move before a large crowd filled with government employees, citizens and media, the Oakland County-based special interest group withdrew their petition from consideration by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers.
The MCC is just one of three groups trying to legalize adult use of marijuana in Michigan via the petition process. The Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative, commonly known as MILegalize, is the frontrunner in that competition and had not yet issued a statement on their opponent’s self-proclaimed step backward.
The Board of State Canvassers must approve any language offered by prospective petitioners. The MILegalize group is nearly prepared to submit their language through the same process.
“A lot of people were there,” said Josey Scoggin, co-founder of the Michigan organization Sons and Daughters United, who attended the Board meeting. Many were “shocked when (the petition) was withdrawn,” she observed.
“I think some people were disappointed,” said Jamie Lowell, Chair of the Michigan chapter of Americans for Safe Access, who noted people leaving after the MCC’s representative made the announcement.
The representative advised the Board that the language would be re-submitted at a later date. The Associated Press calls the MCC “anonymous people” who “had been expected to have the form of its petition approved by the Board” before the abrupt about-face.
The Board did approve a petition drive regarding a prevailing wage in Michigan, and earlier this month approved a fracking ban proposal for signature collection.
The next meeting of the Board of State Canvassers has not been scheduled.
Source: The Compassion Chronicles