Recreational weed could be legalized in Michigan: What to know

Kathleen Gray | Detroit Free Press

On Nov. 6, Michigan voters will get to decide whether they want to free the weed and legalize marijuana for recreational use.

There will be some caveats to the ballot proposal, including that marijuana enthusiasts will have to be at least 21 years of age to smoke, eat or apply cannabis-infused products.

Legislators had the chance to adopt the proposal by midnight Tuesday, which would have allowed them to amend it at a future date with a simple majority. But they declined to take it up by the deadline, ensuring that voters will now get to vote on it.

More: Voters will decide marijuana legalization after Legislature fails to act

More: Why many Michigan medical marijuana businesses won't have to close

If voters approve the proposal, it will take a three-quarters majority in each chamber to make any changes in the law.

The proposal would:

Legalize the possession and sale of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal, recreational use for people over the age of 21. But an individual could keep up to 10 ounces of marijuana at home

Tax marijuana sales with a 10 percent excise tax at the retail level as well as the state's 6 percent sales tax

Split those revenues, with 35 percent going to K-12 education, 35 percent to roads, 15 percent to the communities that allow marijuana businesses in their communities and 15 percent to counties where marijuana business are located

Allow communities to decide whether they’ll allow marijuana businesses in their towns

Require testing and safe transportation of marijuana in the state.

Allow for three categories of marijuana grow operations: up to 500 plants, up to 1,000 plants or up to 2,000 plants.

Have the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs set the rules surrounding recreational use of marijuana and take the lead in handing out licenses. Under the current medical marijuana law, a five-member board appointed by the governor, Senate majority leader and speaker of the House award licenses to medical marijuana businesses.

Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.