Organization led by a Who’s-Who of Michigan’s prominent marijuana activists and advocates; petition will repair medical marijuana laws, establish legalization, advance industrial hemp and direct profits to repair roads and support schools

Michigan’s prospects for adopting a marijuana legalization program in 2016 are brighter as the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee (MCCLRIC) announces their intention to launch a petition drive and collect signatures in 2015.

“The time is right and people are demanding a comprehensive petition that protects medical marijuana, creates a responsible tax and regulation system for adult use age 21 and over, and permits the farming of hemp for Michigan agriculture, food and industry,” said MCCLRIC chairman Jeffrey Hank, an attorney from Lansing.

“The proposal could bring 25,000 jobs and net $200 million in revenue, while slashing $300 million from expenses,” explained Detroit attorney Matthew Abel, a MCCLRIC Board member.

Proposed language for the petition would include a strengthening of protections for registered medical marijuana patients, a legalized marijuana program and an advancement of the industrial hemp initiative established under legislation signed into law by Gov. Snyder earlier this year.

Some of the highlights of the proposal include: allowing citizens to cultivate 12 plants each, which mimics the medical marijuana possession limit; adding protections for medicinal marijuana patients and ensuring access for pediatric and elderly patients; and dedicating tax revenues toward public interest projects such as road repair and school funding.

“The organization’s Board of Directors is a stellar list of accomplished activists from Michigan,” said Rick Thompson, journalist and Board member of several other statewide patient advocacy organizations.

“We are open, transparent, democratic, indigenous Michigan activists, not shadowy outsiders,” Hank said. “This is a unique opportunity for Michigan to create the gold standard for cannabis law reform.”

Leadership for the MCCLRIC consists of eleven Board members, including several attorneys and noted media personalities. (See attached Board Membership Directory) All were elected at a gathering of statewide marijuana law reform advocates. The final language of the petition is being drafted.

Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee

The Board Members are: (alphabetically)

Matthew Abel, attorney from Detroit and Executive Director of Michigan NORML

Jeffrey Hank, attorney from Lansing, leader of the Safer Lansing and Safer East Lansing initiatives

Cary Justice, leader of the Safer Saginaw and Safer Montrose petition drives

Jamie Lowell, Chairman of Michigan ASA and co-founder of Ypsilanti’s 3rd Coast

Jim Powers, co-founder of Michigan Parents for Compassion, father of a pediatric marijuana patient

Chuck Ream, co-founder of the Safer Michigan Coalition and longtime activist from Ann Arbor

David Rudoi, attorney from Royal Oak

Steven Sharpe, Michigan NORML Board member and industrial hemp advocate

Josey Scoggin, founder of Sons and Daughters United

Rick Thompson, journalist and Board member of both Michigan NORML and ASA- Michigan

Nick Zettell, Hash Bash Dir. and Pres. of Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s Midwest Alumni Assoc.