Will Michigan See Legal Weed in 2018?

Legal Marijuana in Michigan?

Voters next year may decide whether Michigan legalizes marijuana. A potential ballot initiative in 2018 would do the following, which would make it legal to own and use marijuana in Michigan and not just for medical purposes only.

The Highlights

  • Persons 21 and over can use and possess marijuana.
  • In public, a person may possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. No more than 15 grams may be marijuana concentrate.
  • No marijuana use in public.
  • At home, a person may possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana and infused products. May posses up to 12 plants.

How Much Marijuana Is That Really?

If you assume one joint is .32 grams, there are 88 joints in an ounce, and 220 joints in 2.5 ounces. However, this is just a ballpark. Some people smoke larger joints than others.

Penalties

  • Possession of up to twice the lawful amount of 12 plants or 10 ounces would be a civil infraction for the first two violations.
  • The third violation would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine, or both.

The New Law and Driving

  • Driver cannot be actively using marijuana.
  • Driver cannot be under the influence of marijuana while operating.
  • Passengers may not use marijuana while the car is on the road.

Businesses

  • There would be two new establishments created:
  • One, the marijuana microbusiness, which would allow persons licensed to cultivate up to 150 plants and sell to people over 21 years of age.
  • Two, the marijuana retailer, an establishment licensed to purchase marijuana from others and sell to persons over 21 years old.

Cities

  • A city or township may completely prohibit or limit the number of marijuana establishments. However, a successful petition could prohibit or allow such establishments.

What Next for Legal Marijuana in Michigan

The ballot initiative would have to be approved for all this to become a reality. Pro-marijuana advocates submitted the right number of signatures today for the initiative to get on the 2018 ballot. The ballot initiative as written is currently 18 pages long, so there are many more details. These are only the broad strokes. An overwhelming majority of voters of approved the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in 2008, so we’ll see.

Contact Us

Call Sam Bernstein at 734-883-9584 or e-mail at bernstein@arborypsilaw.com.

ArborYpsi Law is located at 2750 Carpenter Rd #2, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

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