Michigan marijuana legalization doesn’t qualify for ballot, board rules

After tireless hard work gathering tens of thousands of signatures, it looks like Michigan's recreational marijuana bill will NOT pass this year. The group supporting the bill, The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, claims that 137,000 signatures were not counted due to a new law signed by Governor Rick Snyder that limits petition initiatives to 180 days, making all signatures before that timeline invalid. Without the extra signatures the recreational marijuana bill had no chance, allowing a 4-0 vote by the Board of State Canvassers to be the final blow. Many deem the 180-day signature limit unconstitutional and one group trying to prohibit fracking in the state has already sued. Supporters of the recreational marijuana bill may also sue, hoping to reverse the 180-day petition limit. 

The state elections board says a ballot drive to legalize marijuana for recreational use did not collect enough valid voter signatures to qualify for a statewide vote in November.

The Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee contends that 137,000 of its signatures are still valid despite being older than 180 days. The group may sue.