Marijuana In The US: Will Michigan Be Next State To Legalize Recreational Weed?

Michigan could be the next state to legalize recreational use of marijuana if voters have it their way. An EPIC-MRA poll released Friday indicated the majority of voters living in the state would approve a law allowing adult use of the plant.

The state passed legislation in 2008 approving the use of medical marijuana for patients suffering from a variety of debilitating ailments. However, the latest poll, which was commissioned by National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, indicated the majority of Michigan residents are ready to upgrade the law and legalize recreational use of the plant. Fifty-seven percent of voters said they would support a ballot measure approving the possession and cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis for adults at least 21 years of age. They also approved marijuana being taxed and sold at dispensaries for recreational adult use.

“The medical marijuana program has removed the illusion of cannabis’ danger to many Michigan residents. The state is ready. The time is now,” Matthew Abel, the executive director of MI-Normal told WWJ, Detroit, in a statement, noting voters in every region of the state supported legalizing recreational marijuana.

The last time the poll was conducted in 2015, only 53 percent of those queried in the state said they would vote "yes" for a recreational ballot measure. Only 50 percent of respondents said they would support a recreational marijuana measure when the poll was first conducted in 2014.

With the increased support, MILegalize and lawmakers are hoping to get a recreational measure on the 2018 Michigan ballot.

If Michigan does consider legalized adult use of cannabis, it will be among a slew of states considering recreational marijuana including Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Missouri.

The Michigan Supreme Court previously turned down appeals to get recreational use on the November 2016 ballot.