DELTA TOWNSHIP, MI - Exactly 100 words will summarize the ballot proposal to legalize marijuana under wording approved by the Board of State Canvassers on Thursday.

The full proposal takes up five pages. It legalizes marijuana, limits its use to those over age 21, and creates a state licensing system for marijuana businesses. The Board of State Canvassers has to distill the long proposal into the 100 words that will appear on the ballot.

The state Bureau of Elections released its proposed wording last week.

But in considering the language, the board hit on two sticking points. First was a concern commission chair Norm Shinkle raised. He wanted the summary to state clearly that it would change criminal law and take away some crimes.

"This is a dramatic change in current law. A dramatic change, and it should be reflected in the 100 words," Shinkle said.

The second was the wording around where money would go. The original proposal from the Secretary of State said it would go be "earmarked for schools, roads, and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located."

Troy Cumings, an attorney with the opposition group Healthy and Productive Michigan, said the money only went there after paying for things like implementation and clinical marijuana studies.

"When you read this it just looks like all the tax is earmarked for those things and that's not accurate," he said.

The board changed the wording to include that the money would go toward those other purposes as well.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the group pushing the proposal, said it approved of the final proposal wording.

"This ballot language makes clear that Proposal 1 will create a strongly regulated system that gives adults 21 and older the personal freedom to consume without fear of arrest while generating millions in new dollars for roads, schools and local governments -- three of our state's most under-funded needs," said group spokesman Josh Hovey.

"What this language does not explain, however, is that there are many more restriction in place than what has been approved: communities will have the authority to restrict or ban marijuana businesses; driving under the influence will remain strictly illegal; businesses will retain their right to test and ban their employees from using; and public consumption would still be strictly illegal."

The proposal will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot as Proposal 1.

Here is the language the board approved:

Proposal 18-1

A proposed initiated law to authorize and legalize possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by individuals who are at least 21 years of age and older, and commercial sales of marijuana through state-licensed retailers

This proposal would:

Allow individuals 21 and older to purchase, possess and use marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles, and grow up to 12

Impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and require amounts over 2.5 ounces to be secured in locked containers.

Create a state licensing system for marijuana businesses and allow municipalities to ban or restrict them.

Permit retail sales of marijuana and edibles subject to a 10% excise tax, dedicated to implementation costs, clinical

Change several current violations from crimes to civil infractions.

Should this proposal be adopted?

[ ] YES

[ ] NO