Unbelievable! I was born and raised here in Michigan. I've spent the majority of my life in the very town I was born in. Twenty-five years ago, this was a booming industrial town all of the time, and a summer tourist attraction.
As with any small town, there are things that happen here that are more or less kept out of the media. The quickest way to destroy a tourist town is to let people know about the severe drug problems, the number of registered sex offenders, and murder that does, in fact, happen here.
Marijuana is always #1 under the gun. This makes no sense to me at all. We have bigger trouble with cocaine and meth labs showing up everywhere. Not to mention, the high occurance of child abuse and neglect, suicide among teens, alcoholism, and gang issues. You'be heard of "Baby Kate"? I know the family.
In 2008, Michigan passed the medical marijuana act, by a majority vote. We only had two options to legally obtain marijuana. Either have a provider to grow plants, or grow your own. No dispensaries were in the initial vote.
Last year, three cities had dispensaries on their local ballots. They won by a vast majority. At 5 AM on February 7, the local news reported that the mmj program has Doubled the money it cost to put in place in One year. Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and is among the poorest states per capita. So, twelve hours later, all Michigan dispensaries were closed by the governor of the state, citing that they were not approved in 2008.
A. He wasn't our Governor in 08
B. The cities in Michigan held a legal vote, which was passed By The People of the state, so where does he get off trying to deny us what the majority wants?
Solution, he can be fired just like anyone else, by the same people who's toes he is stepping on.
Why would you take away a legal, safe, taxed way for someone to provide a service that is necessary for people who need it? A new business opportunity for people who must maintain a license, just like a bar owner. And, let's not forget state and Federal revenue. See, even though It's not yet federally legal, they still get taxes from it. Funny huh.
Instead, my town is trying to pass a "no smoking cigarettes in public" ordinance, at the same time as "allow alcohol in city parks". If anyone can make sense of this, please, by all means, leave a comment.
As always, thank you for your time.
