Since 2015, a coalition called MI Legalize has been seeking support for a ballot initiative that would legalize marijuana across recreational and commercial fronts. After a defeat in the 2016 election, the coalition is again circulating a petition to get the issue on the Nov. 6, 2018, ballot and several Niles Township businesses are seeking to help them.

From 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, a couple of Belle Plaza businesses will sponsor a block party at the plaza in the 1900 block of S. 11th Street. The event will include games, prizes, a live DJ from 99.1 WSMK, food, dunk tank, family activities and many giveaways. Additionally, several experts on the subject and members of the MI Legalize board will be in attendance to answer the public’s questions and concerns about the matter.

Owners of Lush Lighting Renae and Matt Johnson are helping to sponsor the event. They said the goal is to collect at least 1,000 signatures to contribute to the proposed Michigan Regulation and Taxation Marijuana Act. Offering residents a fun and family-friendly activity seemed like a great way to collect signatures, while also offering a chance for people to talk to experts.

“There will be music, games, activities, food and we will be raising awareness of the medical benefits of cannabis and also what the MI Legalize is trying to accomplish and what it could do for our economy,” Matt said. 

MI Legalize is a coalition of social justice activists, patient advocates, small business owners and concerned citizens. To place the initiative on the 2018 ballot, the organization must collect a minimum of 252,523 voter signatures across the state in a 180-day window. The organization first began collecting signatures in May for the 2018 ballot initiative.

In 2015, when MI Legalize’s earlier petition was being circulated, the organization claimed to have garnered approximately 350,000 signatures. In what the coalition is alleging as a “legally questionable” move on behalf of the Michigan’s Bureau of Elections, more than half the signatures were not counted and thus the act never made it to the ballot.

Lush Lighting and one other Belle Plaza business hosted a similar event in 2015 to try and gain signatures to support the cause.

According to Renae, those advocating for the cause were told that some of the signatures collected throughout the state were considered “stale” and would not counted.

“This time the drive is more organized and they are prepared,” Matt said. “They are going after getting all the signatures in the time frame required.”

The 2018 ballot initiative will primarily call for legislation that will:

• Allow the personal possession of marijuana by persons of 21 or older

• Provide the ability for people to lawfully cultivate and sell marijuana and industrial hemp, as long as they are 21 or older

• Permit the taxation of revenue derived from commercial marijuana facilities

But Matt said voters would be approving more than the use of marijuana — they would also be helping to create legislation that could potentially decriminalize the drug and increase business opportunities across Michigan.

“It [the act] legalizes marijuana and in essence decriminalizes marijuana,” Matt said. “That opens the door for a lot of businesses. It is not just recreational use … what it really does is decriminalize the whole plant. Let’s not send all of our resources to other states to boost their GDP. Let’s grow it, use it in Michigan. Let’s build products in Michigan and the world will buy our products.”

Matt said he sees potential in local farmers being able to cultivate hemp for uses like biofuel or material fabrication. For the Johnsons’ own business there could also be some opportunities. Lush Lighting sells agricultural LED grow lights, plants, starter-kits and growing accessories. The Johnsons, originally from Mishawaka, have operated the business for five years. They started by selling products from their house, before moving to the brick and mortar store front in Belle Plaza, where the business has been for three years. Today, the couple’s business sells products internationally, but more opportunities in Niles Township would not hurt, they said.

Renae encouraged all people who want to support the cause or simply satiate their curiosity to attend the event.

“People that are coming to this are also people who don’t touch it [marijuana],” Renae said. “I have never touched it, but I support it because of what I have seen it do for people around me. You do not have to use cannabis to come [to the Block Party], as long as you support your family members or the freedom to choose whether you want that plant or not.”

If the event sponsors are not able to obtain 1,000 signatures, those interested can sign the petition during business hours from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Lush Lighting, 1964 S. 11th St.