Medical Marijuana Overhaul Would Not End Police Raids

While lawmakers gathered last week to discuss fixing Michigan’s crippled medical marijuana program, the latest proposal does more to appease the Republican gods of the state than provide access and protection for patients in need.

It is for this reason that pot proponents across the state should support the legalization efforts of MILegalize, the group working to bring an end to prohibition to Michigan.

Although Representative Carlton’s medical marijuana overhaul would fix some issues with dispensaries and allow pot edibles back on the shelves, it would also impose an 8 percent excise tax in addition to the state sales tax. In addition, it would still allow police to shakedown citizens for pot since medical marijuana still provides room for a black market to flourish.

That means that police will still be conducting raids; parents will still be losing their children to CPS; and ultimately the local drug war will remain in progress.

Under the MILegalize plan, cannabis will be taxed and regulated in a manner similar to beer, which will provide additional revenue to the state and eliminate the criminal penalties currently associated with its possession.

Learn more about MILegalize here.