It appears the question of legalizing marijuana in Michigan is headed to the November ballot.
The next step is to put the question to the Legislature, which has 40 days to approve it or it goes on the ballot.
The Republican state House speaker says a vote in the Legislature won’t happen.
Jeff Hank of the group MI Legalize says that’s fine.
“We look forward to winning in November. At the same time, it would be great if the Legislature adopted it as is, and started this already. Cannabis prohibition should be over today. Not tomorrow. Today.”
State House Speaker Tom Leonard says Republican votes are not there to approve the proposal.
“At this point, I do not anticipate it happening. There is not much support it in the caucus. I do not personally support it, so I think this something that ultimately voters are going to have to decide.”
Scott Greenlee is with the group Healthy and Productive Michigan.
“There’s no two ways about. Marijuana is not legal due to the Controlled Substances Act, federal government. Any state doesn’t have the right to overturn that, so it’s fundamentally flawed in and of itself.”
That has not kept eight states and Washington DC from allowing recreational use of marijuana. Polls show wide support among Michigan voters for legalizing marijuana.