Tim Beck of Michigan NORML [3] reported via email Wednesday that two marijuana-related local initiatives had met their deadlines for handing in signatures. One initiative would make marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority, while the other one is a medical marijuana initiative.
In Niles, Southwest Michigan NORML chairman Don Barnes and campaign coordinator Greg Francisco presented the Niles city clerk Tuesday with 596 signatures to place a lowest priority initiative on the ballot. Under the initiative, possession or use of up to 1.1 ounces of marijuana by adults on private property would be the Niles Police Department's lowest law enforcement priority. They need 440 valid signatures to make the ballot. The city of Niles now has one week to announce whether enough valid signatures were turned in.
Also Tuesday, the Flint Coalition for Compassionate Care handed in over 2,000 signatures seeking to put a medical marijuana initiative before the voters there in November. The initiative would create a city ordinance granting medical marijuana users an exemption from the marijuana laws. The coalition needs 1,150 valid signatures and expects to have a yes or no by the end of next week.