Anti-Cannabis Lobbyists Spend Big in Michigan as Legalization Takes Last Step Towards Popular Vote – News

Now, the Michigan Secretary of State’s election office must verify a 500-signature sample before granting the cannabis reform petition a place on the state’s November ballot.

And with 362,102 signatures collected – over 100,000 more than what the state requires – legalization advocates and detractors alike are confident that the measure will be accepted.

But, as Michigan’s latest legalization proposal appears a shoo-in for a public vote this fall, deep-pocketed anti-cannabis lobbyists are already focusing their sights and bank accounts on the Wolverine State, trying their hardest to keep legal weed from spreading to America’s heartland.

“Michigan is a priority because it’s been targeted by the pot industry,” Kevin Sabet, co-founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said. “They see it as an opportunity to make a lot of money. “

In addition to SAM, another, smaller group, The Committee to Keep Pot Out of Neighborhoods and Schools, has received only one donation of $5,000 from the Michigan Responsibility Council, a group that supports medical legalization but opposes recreational adult-use.

For legalization advocates, the opposition is only fueling their fire and giving credence to the power of their voter-supported petition.

” reinforces to us that the campaign is going to be a very real fight this year,” Spokesman Hovey told the Detroit News. “We’ll have to work hard to get the truth out there and make sure people have the facts. When the facts are out there, the only choice people will make is yes. “

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