Detroit Lawmakers Attempt to Block Ballot Initiative to Decriminalize Marijuana
Michigan has been a hotbed of marijuana reform activity over the course of the past several years. They are one of the 16 states with legalized medical marijuana and have had local municipalities attempt decriminalization efforts, usually met with opposition by state Attorney General Bill Schuette.
The marijuana reform movement has had to rely heavily on ballot initiatives grassroots support as politicians have had a hard time breaking away from lobbyists who desperately want to uphold antiquated cannabis laws. Marijuana reform has many accomplishments including helping patients and pushing forward decriminalization efforts that can help non-violent offenders to avoid incarceration. It is also is allowing the American public access to a unique perspective in what is normally a very closed door political system. Americans can now see that so much more is at hand than simple matters of right or wrong. Lobbyists, special interests and long held stubborn beliefs carry more weight in Washington D.C. and state governments than struggling patients and those whose lives are ruined by small possession marijuana charges.
A recent entry in the Detroit Free Press sheds even more light on this issue in Michigan. Efforts to totally decriminalize small marijuana possession had gained considerable momentum as of late. However, the Detroit political machine is in full force and has filed a suit with the Michigan Supreme Court to disqualify a ballot initiative that would eliminate penalties associated with low level cannabis possession. Detroit’s legal department claims that the ballot issue would not create a legitimate ordinance because marijuana is not legal on a state level. Activists and patients are accustomed to this desperate political argument as relief is often prevented by this line of thinking. Of course what is most interesting is this the same state (like many others) that has already sided with its people by providing medical marijuana on a state wide level even though it conflicts with federal law. Proponents of the ballot initiative seemed unfazed as Tim Beck, who heads the initiative through an organization called Coalition for a Safer Detroit, stated “The law is on our side, and we have every expectation that the people of Detroit will vote on this in 2012.”
Activists should only be motivated by the actions our elected officials have taken. Clearly, lawmakers feel well within their comfort zone to ignore the pleas of Americans. Three quarters of this country agrees with medical marijuana and half even support total legalization. A ballot initiative is organized and conducted by the people, typically without the support of big time corporate lobbyists. Apparently politicians fear us far less than them, but they seem to have overplayed their hand, and whether they like it or not reform is coming.
Political Blotter: House again refuses to stop federal raids on medical marijuana – San Jose Mercury News Smoking pot for multiple sclerosis? Study finds it helps – Los Angeles Times
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