An initiative put forth by the Traverse City NORML chapter to reduce marijuana penalties has the necessary number of signatures to be placed on the city ballot. The petition seeks to make possession, use, or sale of less than one ounce of marijuana in Traverse City punishable by a maximum penalty of $100 and up to ten hours of community service for a first-time offender.
The road to the ballot has been a rocky one for marijuana activists. Chapter organizers’ 1994 initiative drive was rejected by the city commission despite having well over the required number of signatures, because it allegedly conflicted with state law. This year’s petition was devoid of legal problems, but faced severe opposition from city commissioners who in December unanimously passed a resolution asking residents not to sign the petition.
Bill Bustance, president of the Traverse City NORML Chapter, told local media that he feels that there is a good chance that the measure will be approved by voters. “We’re just asking a simple question,” he said. “We’re not asking: ‘Are you for marijuana or are you against marijuana? or ‘If you’re for NORML or against NORML?’ … We’re asking: ‘Do you want to throw people in prison at a cost of $30,000 per year or do you want to enact fines and community service that will go directly to the community?”
For more information, please contact Bill Bustance of Traverse City NORML at (616) 264-9565.