KALAMAZOO -- A Marijuana initiative will likely be on Kalamazoo’s Ballot in November. It wouldn’t be the legalization of Marijuana, but a group has submitted petitions to ask voters to change the city Charter to make investigations of the use or possession of less than an ounce of marijuana the Public Safety Department’s “Lowest Priority”.
It would still be a crime to drive under the influence, or smoke dope in public, or to deal or possess in larger amounts.
The backers of the petition argue that the city spends huge sums investigating minor dope misdemeanors, when it could be investigating more important crimes. The group needs 2,752 valid signatures to get on the November Ballot. The clerk says they have submitted 4,776.
He will report to Commissioners that he has received the petitions tonight.
