Legalization campaign launches in Michigan
A grassroots group in Detroit has launched a statewide ballot initiative drive to legalize marijuana in Michigan.
Under the law proposed by the Committee for a Safer Michigan, residents 21 and older would be allowed to legally use, carry, grow and sell cannabis. The bill would prohibit operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. Michigan already allows medical marijuana use by qualified patients.
The group needs to file 322,609 voter signatures by July 9 to qualify for the November ballot.
Urine-for-welfare lawmaker nabbed for DUI
A Georgia state congressman who introduced a bill requiring mandatory drug tests for welfare recipients has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Kip Smith (R-Columbus) was driving home in January when he was pulled over for allegedly running a red light. He was arrested after failing a field sobriety test and blowing a 0.10 on an alcohol breathalyzer check.
Smith gained national attention when he introduced legislation—still under consideration—that would require welfare recipients to submit to random urine tests for marijuana and other drugs. Anyone failing the test would be cut off from welfare assistance.
