On December 1st, the legal sale of recreational marijuana begins in Michigan. Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action), and its Michigan affiliate Healthy and Productive Michigan – that fought the ballot campaign and has led local level opt-out initiatives – released the following statement in advance:
“Today is a sad day for Michigan. An addiction-for-profit industry can now target vulnerable communities just as it has done in other states, and it is only a matter of time before we begin to see its lobbyists bankroll lawmakers and claw away at any and all regulations placed upon it.
“While health and safety advocates were unable to defeat the industry at the ballot box, we have thankfully been able to dramatically limit the industry at the local level. As it stands some 80% of towns in the state have banned the sale of addictive, highly potent pot from their communities. This further reinforces the fact that while Americans may support the idea of marijuana decriminalization, they are not okay with a commercial industry pushing its addictive, super potent candies, gummies, ice creams, and vaping oils on their street corners.
“Moving forward, SAM Action and Healthy and Productive Michigan will continue helping communities reign in the industry and exposing the harms it propagates.”