Proponents of a city ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession have filed a complaint with the Secretary of State alleging that opponents of the measure violated state campaign finance laws. The proposal was rejected by voters by a 58 to 42 percent vote.
The complaint, spearheaded by Traverse City NORML President Bill Bustance, maintains that Traverse City Police Chief Ralph Soffredine, Prosecutor Dennis LaBelle, and others acted as a political committee but failed to file any papers with the county clerk as required under the Michigan Campaign Finance Acts. The complaint also alleges that opponents sent out a biased flyer against the proposal using the tax-funded mailing permit of Traverse City. Bustance is demanding a new election.
“We’ve had two successful initiatory petitions filed and if these claims [prove] substantial then we at least deserve one fair election,” Bustance said.
Traverse City officials admit that the city paid to send out over 9,400 flyers in a one-time mailing, but deny that the mailing was an attempt to influence voters against the ballot proposal. The flyer was titled “Marijuana: Facts to Consider.” According to Michigan law, a person who knowingly violates campaign finance rules could be punished by up to a year in jail or a $2,000 fine. An organization that does so may receive up to a $20,000 fine.
The road to the ballot had 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. The commission later passed a resolution encouraging voters to vote against the proposal.
For more information, please contact Bill Bustance of Traverse City NORML @ (616) 264-9565.