Marijuana decriminalization proposal passes
Mount Pleasant residents have spoken; possession and use of less than one ounce of marijuana is now decriminalized for adults above the age of 21 in Mount Pleasant.
"More than 50 percent of Americans want some form of legal decriminalization," said Ian Elliott, president of Student Advocates for Medical and Recreational Cannabis. "The vote is symbolic in showing part of the nation, through a grassroots movement, is responding to politicians neglecting the will of the people."
The measure, which passed 2,705 to 1,639, only applies to Mount Pleasant. Marijuana remains illegal according to state and federal law, and police officers will retain the power to arrest someone for possession under state law.
"Efforts to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana were announced in 18 cities throughout Michigan for 2014 ballots. Eleven qualified for the November 2014 ballot, while two were postponed to 2015 ballots and three did not make the ballot at all.
The measure could help prompt a broader discussion about marijuana legalization in Michigan and the country. CMU does not allow the use or possession of any form of marijuana.
Residence Hall policy states although many states have passed laws legalizing medicinal marijuana, all forms of marijuana continue to be illegal under federal law. Federal law supersedes state law, as a result, institutions are not obligated to accommodate users of medicinal marijuana in residence halls, on campus or otherwise.
Proposal 14-1, a referendum of Public Act 520 of 2012 was not approved. The proposal would have established a hunting season for wolves and authorizing annual wolf hunting season. It would have allowed the Natural Resources Commission to schedule annual wolf hunting seasons and with a hunting license. It also would have created a Wolf Management Advisory Council to make recommendations to the legislature about proper management of wolves.
Proposal 14-2, a referendum of Public Act 21 of 2013, was also not approved. The proposal would have granted the Natural Resources Commission the power to designate wolves and other animals, as game for hunting without legislative action. It also would have continued the NRC’s designation of wolves as game, and allow the NRC to set a wolf-hunting season.
The proposal grants the Legislature sole authority to remove a species from the list of designated game
Animals, eliminate the $1 hunting and fishing-licensing fee for members of the military, and give the NRC sole authority to regulate fishing.
