Back To The Polls in Michigan

19 Nov, 2012

Was this November’s sweeping victory for marijuana law reform in Michigan a fluke?

A review of polls conducted in Michigan shows a consistent support for the relaxation- or elimination- of laws regulating marijuana. These surveys were conducted online by the popular MLive web service, whose divisions cover the entire state.

Some areas saw multiples polls, especially those places where voters had the opportunity to enact ordinances regarding cannabis and their communities.

In Kalamazoo, several polls preceeding this November’s general election predicted the eventual outcome of the vote:

Should marijuana possession in Kalamazoo be enforced by a ticket instead of an arrest?   

Total Votes: 359
www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/10/marijuana_ordinance_kalamazoo.html

A second poll garnered similar results.

Should Kalamazoo’s city charter be amended to allow three medical marijuana dispensaries in Kalamazoo? 

Total Votes: 230

www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/10/readers_react_medical_marijuan.html

And a third poll clearly underscored the results from earlier:

Should marijuana be legal?

Yes. If tobacco and alcohol are legal, pot should be also. 88.77%  (1,707 votes)

Total Votes: 1,923

Kalamazoo approved their measure to allow up to three medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within city limits by a 57% margin.

Grand Rapids also placed a decriminalization measure before her voters. The polling data was similar to Kalamazoo’s:

What will motivate your vote on marijuana decriminalization in Grand Rapids?

 

Another Grand Rapids poll:

Should marijuana be decriminalized in Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids decriminalized the possession of marijuana in November 2012 by a 60% Yes vote.

Other polls from around the state, and during the course of 2012, covered many different issues- but seemed to always come out favoring the rights of medicinal and recreational marijuana users. This poll from Flushing was weighted unfairly, with three responses reflecting negatively on the marijuana issue and only one choice supporting a patient’s right to choose (and even that question was phrased badly):

Should Flushing Township Board members ban medical marijuana dispensaries in the township?

A poll from Jackson:

Should medical marijuana businesses be allowed near schools?

Total Votes: 335
www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/05/poll_should_medical_marijuana.html
Muskegon got in the act, too:

What criminal charges don’t need jail?

Marijuana possession 54.12%  (302 votes)

Total Votes: 558
In Saginaw, the question was very specific:

Is marijuana use a growing problem among student-athletes?

No, it’s safer than alcohol 77.78%  (7 votes)

In Michigan there has been some debate among legislators about a re-vote on the Medical Marijuana Act. In January 2011 the very reputable polling form Marketing Resource Group and activist Gersh Avery showed that 59% of voters would re-approve the law and 35% would not.

 

0 no comments

About the author

Rick Thompson

Related Posts

buy facebook likes