cannabisnews.com: Governor Casts Doubt on Marijuana Ballot Issue Governor Casts Doubt on Marijuana Ballot Issue Posted by CN Staff on September 08, 2004 at 09:05:10 PT By Tom Gantert, News Staff Reporter Source: Ann Arbor News Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Attorney General's Office say that Ann Arbor's charter cannot conflict with state law that makes marijuana illegal. In letters to city officials, Granholm and an assistant attorney general cast doubt on whether a November ballot issue that would legalize medical use of marijuana in the city would have any legal impact. Granholm's letter, made public by the City Council on Tuesday night, said she did not approve of the proposed amendment to the Ann Arbor City Charter. The amendment would direct the city to waive fines, prohibit police from enforcing the law and halt other punitive measures if it can be proved that marijuana is being used for medicinal purposes. According to an accompanying letter from Assistant Attorney General George Elworth, the Home Rule City Act states "that no provision of any city charter shall conflict with or contravene the provisions of the general laws of this state." "In addition," the letter continues, "city officials have the authority to enforce state laws within the city that cannot be abrogated by charter provisions." What's unclear is just what impact that will have if voters approve the measure. Elworth concedes in his letter that the city was required to put it on the ballot after enough signatures were collected. Charles Ream, a Scio Township trustee, spearheaded the movement to get the 7,000 signatures necessary to get it on the ballot. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/governor.htmSource: Ann Arbor News (MI)Author: Tom Gantert, News Staff Reporter Published: Wednesday, September 8, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Ann Arbor NewsContact: letters annarbornews.comWebsite: http://www.mlive.com/aanews/index.ssfRelated Articles & Web Sites:MINORMLhttp://www.minorml.org/Medical Marijuana Lands Spot on Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19035.shtmlInitiative Legalizing MMJ May Be on Nov. Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18828.shtmlMedical Marijuana Issue May Make Nov. Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18801.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by afterburner on September 09, 2004 at 08:21:31 PT Granholm Will Not Get My Vote Her steadfast opposition to all things cannabis and her unfettered support for cannabis prohibition disqualifies her for public office. Polish your resume, Jenny. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by ekim on September 08, 2004 at 17:44:06 PT any wonder why a third party is needed http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17211.shtmlThe bust was big news - the state police sent out a triumphant press release announcing the arrests. When Teter arrived on the scene, Crosslin saw then-attorney general Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat who is now Michigan's governor, in the car with him. Teter immediately got an injunction banning all future festivals. By the time Crosslin and Rohm were bailed out of jail, Teter had already filed for the forfeiture of Rainbow Farm. http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on September 08, 2004 at 16:16:36 PT: More arrogance at work Take a look at the statement by City Council Member Jean Carlberg. Unless I am mistaken, in essence, she claims the public doesn't know what it is voting for. This is, in a much less bald-faced but no less offensive vein than the tack taken by the prohibs immediately after Props 200 and 215 passed in their respective States; namely, that the voters were 'duped' and therefore, the implication was that they were stupid to begin with. These pols! They should be taken out of office more frequently so they get the message it isn't nice to insult their paymasters. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by gloovins on September 08, 2004 at 14:50:15 PT This is not a 1st Not the 1st time a sitting politician opposed medical mjNot the 1st time it's been said federal law "trumps" city, state law, etc.Not the first time medical mj will be on a city ballot.However, I promise you this: This won't be the first time a medical mj law doesn't pass. THIS, I promise you.Amen Detroit, and amen Ann Arbor. You cannot amend natural law, that's all I know.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on September 08, 2004 at 14:37:42 PT But... Didn't the city of Detroit just pass a medical marijuana initiative? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on September 08, 2004 at 13:54:33 PT Impact In letters to city officials, Granholm and an assistant attorney general cast doubt on whether a November ballot issue that would legalize medical use of marijuana in the city would have any legal impact. It may not have any LEGAL impact, but it will expose Granholm and the DAs as the cruel fascists that they really are. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment