Michigan Shows America That Marijuana Reform Can Be Done At The Local Level
By Dan Riffle, Legislative Analyst, Marijuana Policy Project
Colorado and Washington are getting lots of attention this morning for becoming the first states to end marijuana prohibition, and deservedly so, but Michigan deserves some attention too. There were five cities voting on initiatives that would roll back marijuana prohibition, and all five passed!
Detroit — Measure M, removing criminal penalties for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana under city law, received 60% of the vote.
Flint — An initiative similar to Detroit’s, decriminalizing possession of less than an ounce under city law, received nearly 60% as well.
Kalamazoo — An initiative allowing three medical marijuana dispensaries received more than 64% of the vote.
Grand Rapids — An initiative making possession of marijuana a civil, rather than criminal, offense and removing the possibility of jail time under city law passed with 59% of the vote.
Ypsilanti — A measure making enforcement of marijuana laws the city’s “lowest law enforcement priority” got a whopping 74% of the vote.
Congrats to Decriminalize Grand Rapids, the Coalition for a Safer Detroit, Eastern Michigan Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and all the other activists around Michigan who made this historic sweep happen! Help us carry the momentum forward by asking your legislators to decriminalize marijuana throughout the state.
