by Jamie Lowell MINORML Executive Director The Fight Michigan Already Won
ness licenses, would concentrate power into fewer hands. According to nonpartisan analysis, such mea- sures risk creating local monopo- lies and oligarchies, squeezing out small operators while locking out new entrants. In some cases, licens- es are even being acquired not to operate, but to manufacture scarcity. We are also seeing a renewed fo- cus on enforcement of minor can- nabis activity, in some instances resulting in serious felony charges. These policies don’t protect the public—they protect consolidation. In response, MiNORML, alongside fellow advocacy organizations, is mobilizing once again. New mem-
F or decades, MiNORML has stood alongside the people of this state—advocating, organizing, and helping shape Michigan’s cannabis movement from grassroots activism to voter-approved legalization. Some of those same pioneers gathered just weeks ago in Ann Arbor for Hash Bash weekend—a powerful reminder of the achievements and sacrifices that de- fine Michigan’s rich activist history. It was also confirmation that this move- ment has always been about commu- nity and showing up for each other. There are active efforts underway to reduce legal possession limits and re-criminalize behavior that Michigan voters have already deemed accept- able. There has been no public health crisis, no wave of victims, and no cred- ible justification for these proposals. At the same time, a newly imposed cannabis tax—particularly harmful to small businesses—undermines the ballot initiative process and the will of the voters. Additional propos- als, including caps on cannabis busi-
bers are joining, and we are actively working to reestablish local chap- ters across the state at minorml.org. We are encouraged to see High Times returning to its roots as a platform for truth and advocacy—and for providing this forum at such an important time. For many, it was a beacon during the darkest days of the drug war.
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