Ohio’s Failure on Marijuana Legalization Will Have No Bearing on Michigan Voters

While Ohio voters made the decision on Tuesday not to open up the state to legal pot commerce, the outcome of the election does not appear to be the onset of a trend and it is certainly not expected to seal a similar fate in Michigan next year.

The issue of legalization in Ohio was unique in its proposal, begging to create a monopoly that would only allow the commercial production of marijuana to be handled by 10 cultivation sites. The controversy surrounding this measure swelled to immense proportions over the summer, with the Ohio General Assembly strongly opposing the RO measure by placing a rival initiative on the ballot aimed at banning monopolies.

In the end, voters were confused about exactly what was at stake by voting for legalization, so they went against it.

MIlegalize, the group working to bring legal marijuana to Michigan in 2016, still has another year before the issue of legalization is put up to the voters. Furthermore, their proposal comes with plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved in the cannabis industry.

From the MIlegalize website, here is what their initiative would do for Michigan.

1. Legalize all forms marijuana for adults 21 and older- including topicals, oils, and tinctures.

2. Allow for adults to cultivate up to 12 plants.

3. Allow for the cultivation, possession, and otherwise processing of hemp and hemp products.

4. Grants medical marijuana patients & consumers additional legal protections.

5. Provide licensing to marijuana establishments and cultivation facilities.

6. Allow a ten percent excise tax on recreational marijuana sales that will contribute to state funds for education, transportation and a portion for local government, tax will not apply to medical marijuana patients.

7. Remove all criminal penalties for distribution, cultivation, and possession of marijuana with the exception of sale to an unauthorized minor.

8. Allow for civil infractions to be issued if the person is in violation of the act.

9. Protect consumers from search, seizure, and investigation by law enforcement for marijuana related offenses.

10. Authorize local units of government to adopt limited regulation of marihuana facilities and stores.