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PETITION DRAFTED TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

A petition that could potentially end the prohibition of marijuana for Michigan citizens is being distributed all across the state.

A group of volunteers are trying to get a minimum of 300,000 people to sign the petition before July 9.

This will allow people to vote on the November presidency ballot for a constitutional amendment to end marijuana prohibition.

"We need over 300,000 signatures by July 9 to get it on the ballot," said attorney and marijuana activist Matthew Abel.  "So if people to want it on the ballot, they should sign the petition."

The amendment would allow adults 21 and older to use marijuana.  The amendment would not apply to or change marijuana regulations while driving or operating heavy machinery.

"Marijuana is useful as a food product and energy source," Abel said.  "It has a lot of benefits.  It is not to just party with anymore."

According to Abel, there are many financial benefits as well that will come from the end of marijuana prohibition.

It will provide many jobs in agriculture and the textile industry.

"Prohibition is counterproductive," Abel said.  "[The amendment] will save a lot of money in law enforcement, corrections and courts.  It will allow for personal freedom and to get the government off our backs."

Brady Linick, a senior electronic journalism major, supports the petition and said marijuana has been proven useful in treatment against many diseases including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, Parkinson's and many more.

"It is a much safer recreational drug than alcohol," Linick said.  "There are no known marijuana-related deaths in U.S.  history."

Supporters are passing around petitions and there are several businesses in the area that are supportive of the amendment.  People who wish to sign the petition in Marquette will have the chance to Feb.  27, 6 to 8 p.m.  at The Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

The two other locations the petition can be signed in the U.P.  are Nuggy's Tabacco Shack in Escanaba and North Bluff Chiropractic in Gladstone.

More locations where the petition can be signed are listed on www.repealtoday.org.  According to Abel, the site is still being updated and more locations will be added as time goes on.

Although many people are supportive of the amendment, there are concerns about marijuana becoming legal and the effects it could have on people.

Christy Kalata, senior graphic communications major said anytime people take a drug, especially one that alters the brain, the medicine should be monitored by a licensed physician.

"If it were to be legalized to the point where it would become over the counter and anyone could take it, I feel the misuse of the drug will become more prominent in our society," Kalata said,

Abel said there will still be an issue with the federal government if the amendment is passed, but this will allow supporters to engage the issue.

"I see it as more of an opportunity to change federal law or at least enforce the discussion on a federal basis," Abel said.

According to Marquette attorney and activist Brian Bloch, marijuana prohibition was first put in place around 100 years ago by politicians who were disappointed by the alcohol prohibitions.  He said the marijuana prohibition was based on racism because back then most of the people who grew marijuana were Mexicans.

"Marquette County has a very serious prescription drug and meth problem, along with the rest of the United States," Bloch said.  "[Prohibition is] diverting resources from these dangerous drug crimes to people who are growing pot."

Sixty-three percent of voters said they wanted a different legal attitude toward marijuana, according to Bloch.

"[The state] is using police power to repress the will of the voters, so in response to that I, Matthew Abel, and other activists are pushing back," Bloch said.  "That is what this petition is about."

About $1 million a year is spent in Marquette County on marijuana, according to Bloch.  This money could stay in the county and keep the dangerous individuals out.

"Pot is non-toxic," Bloch said.  "You can drink yourself to death, but it is impossible to ingest enough marijuana to kill you.  But the kind of people who bring illegal drugs across the borders are dangerous criminals."