A Nov 8th, 2017 Marijuana Petition Ballot Drive Is Underway In Detroit

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst


With the new state law regarding Medical Marijuana allowing local units of government to regulate businesses within their borders, local Ordinances regulating these businesses have to be redesigned. Currently, there are 4 Petitions circulating by two user organizations that will accomplish this task. The Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform and The Sons of Hemp (Website: www.sonsofhemp.org) have undertaken the challenge.

Richard Clement
Marijuana Policy Analyst
City of Detroit

All signatures on petitions need to be gathered by June 15, 2017. At least 5000 valid voter signatures are required on petitions submitted to the Detroit City Clerk’s office. For the four petitions listed above, signatures must be of voters who live IN the City of Detroit. When the signatures are certified by the City Clerk, these petitions will be given letter designations and, appear on the November 8^th, 2017 ballot to be voted on.

•           Petition 1 is to repeal the current ordinance outright
•         Petition 2 is to redesign the Licensing Ordinance
•         Petition 3 is to redesign the Zoning Ordinance
•        Petition 4 is to redesign the Licensing Ordinance with residency requirements

Petitions 2 through 4 will accomplish the same basic goal of removing liquor stores, parks, and reducing the distance between valid churches to 500ft. These proposals will open up more areas by giving the Board of Zoning Appeals wide deference to approve qualifying business.  Testimony from residents will be limited to people who live within 300ft of the proposed new business. Closed schools will not count in the Drug Free Zones along with Day Care Centers that don’t exist.  Waivers may be granted if the property owners grant their approval such as a Pastor or,  Day Care Center owner. 

Petitions 1, 2, and 3 are sponsored by the Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform, Petition 4 is sponsored by the Sons of Hemp, a group of African American Marijuana Business owners who has language modeled after the proposal in Oakland California that required 51% ownership by Detroit residents. The overall goal of all of these efforts is to improve the quality of life at the local level. For instance neighborhoods using revenue from retail sales can re-open Recreation Centers and Schools in the City of Detroit.

The people have spoken loud and clear on Marijuana with their vote many times. Look for a petition to sign at your local place of business for these local petitions and, the statewide initiative to regulate Marijuana like Alcohol to be placed on the November 2018 General Election.

Business owners reading this article are strongly encouraged to list your place of business as a petition signing center in the comments section.

So take the time to sign Petitions A, B, C, and D.  

Whatever it takes to keep the Weed Free.