Michigan Will Vote on Recreational Cannabis this November

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]M[/dropcap]ichigan’s Board of State Canvassers has certified enough signatures to put the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act on the November ballot. Experts project an enormous voter turnout this year, which presents a better chance at passing recreational cannabis in Michigan.

According to the Bureau of Elections, The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has submitted an estimated 277,370 valid signatures, over the 252,523 signatures that are required to qualify for the ballot.

“The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is a committee formed to support a 2018 ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Michigan and establish a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol,” the organization stated on its website. “It represents a coalition of citizens, community leaders, businesses, and organizations that recognize marijuana prohibition has failed and believe it is time for Michigan to adopt a more sensible marijuana policy.”

The bill would legalize 10 ounces at home, 2.5 ounces outside of home, as well as personal cultivation with up to 12 plants for adults. A 10% excise tax and a 6% sales tax would be imposed, with revenue going towards schools, road repairs and local governments.

Most experts predict success in Michigan, given the state’s robust medical cannabis system and the number of other states that have successfully done so. Michigan stands to make nearly $1 billion per year, according to Click on Detroit.

While a blue wave is expected at the midterm elections, a green wave is also expected in support of cannabis laws.

Michigan’s medical cannabis bill easily passed by a wide margin in 2008, and 10 years later, a recreational cannabis bill is getting a lot of focus. An increased voter turnout is expected, and even GOP lawmakers in Lansing are concerned about losing control over the Michigan House due to voter turnout.