Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jan 2012
Source: Times Herald, The (Port Huron, MI)
Copyright: 2012 The Times Herald
Contact: http://www.thetimesherald.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.thetimesherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2570
Author: Julianne Mattera
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

GROUP SEEKS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR 21 AND OLDER

A Detroit-based group hopes a statewide ballot initiative will 
legalize marijuana in Michigan.

Charmie Gholson, communications director for the Committee for a 
Safer Michigan, said the group will kick off the campaign and 
petition drive in mid-January.

The group wants to get a question on the November 2012 ballot asking 
voters to amend the Michigan constitution to make marijuana legal for 
most adults age 21 and older. Adults who have not been incarcerated 
would be able to legally use and carry, cultivate and manufacture, 
and acquire and sell marijuana, according to a draft version of the 
petition. People would not be allowed to operate boats, aircraft, 
motor vehicles or dangerous and heavy machinery and equipment while 
impaired by marijuana.

The group needs 322,609 valid signatures to put the proposed 
constitutional amendment on the November ballot, according to an 
email Gholson sent to the Times Herald. Petitions must be filed with 
the Secretary of State by July 9.

"This is important because the dangerous charade we are playing 
called 'the war on (some) drugs' needs to end," according to a 
statement in Gholson's email. "Marijuana prohibition does not and 
will not be effective in reducing or eliminating use, and it is not a 
viable harm reduction strategy. Outlawing (prohibiting) marijuana has 
not reduced its availability, made society safe or reduced access to 
marijuana for minors."

The group's effort to amend the state's constitution is a response to 
officials and authorities that have interfered with the 
implementation of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, according to 
the Committee for a Safer Michigan. The group states Michigan 
legislators, law enforcement, judicial activists and Michigan 
Attorney General Bill Schuette have "steadily worked to remove the 
protections provided in the act."

Debra Amsdill, owner of the Blue Water Compassion Centers in Kimball, 
Worth and Denmark townships, said the state's current medical 
marijuana program has flaws.

"I'm all for personal choice. I do believe that it should be 
regulated somehow," Amsdill said. "And I think if we, as a society, 
came to understand the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and we worked 
together instead of against each other, then it could really work."

Amsdill said she supports decriminalizing marijuana. She agreed she 
would be in favor of making marijuana legal for people aged 21 and older.

Mark Sochacki, of Port Huron, doesn't see things the same way.

Sochacki, 35, works as the manager of the Blue Water Compassion 
Center in Kimball Township. He said people with medical ailments -- 
such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease -- have a 
valid reason for using the drug.

Speaking as a medical marijuana advocate, Sochacki said he personally 
did not agree with legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

"It takes away from the legitimacy of the medical use," Sochacki said.

Area police pointed out marijuana available today isn't the same as 
what was available to previous generations.

St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said today's pot is more 
potent than what existed in the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s.

He didn't agree with making marijuana legal for people 21 and older. 
The more access people have to marijuana, the more challenging it 
will be for law enforcement to prevent people from getting behind the 
wheel while high, he said.

Port Huron Police Chief Michael Reaves said the legalization of 
marijuana needs to be debated and looked into from all sides. But he 
didn't agree with attempts to amend the state's constitution -- 
calling it a "knee-jerk" reaction.

"It's time that we really have a discussion -- an informed, 
intelligent discussion -- regarding marijuana," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom