This headline, and the story it describes in Michigan, raises two questions:

1. Is it ethical for TV stations to pull political ads off the air?
2. Is it ethical for the ads’ opponents to set up their own “fact-checking” committee as the basis for complaining that the ads are inaccurate?

Will Common Cause intervene?

Marijuana Moment said the ad was pulled for “incorrectly claiming that the initiative would allow for ‘unlimited potency’ cannabis products.”  If that is not true, than the industry will allow regulators to cap the potency at 16% THC, something that hasn’t been allowed in other states.    When Coloradans supported a cap, the marijuana companies bought off the authorized to petition in 2016.   Good luck Michigan.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol created a ballot initiative in Michigan to legalize marijuana for “recreational” use. Marijuana Policy Project, New Approach PAC, and the Drug Policy Alliance, all national organizations, make up the coalition.  The out-of-state groups sponsored every single initiative to legalize marijuana for either medical or “recreational” use.  Backed by billionaires, they raise lots of money to legalize pot, and leave each state’s taxpayers to clean up their mess.

They have succeeded in convincing Americans that marijuana is a “medicine” that cures or relieves some 65 different conditions. They tell teens it is “not addictive,” is “safer than alcohol,” along other of  “facts” that are  lies.

So, it is no small irony that the Coalition has set itself up as a reliable “fact” checker to attack Michigan citizens.  The opposition was only trying to prevent the legalization of an addictive, harmful drug in their state.

A sad time for Michigan

Did the subterfuge work?  Yep. Michigan passed legalization by a vote of 2,346,713 to 1,851,679 (55.9% vs 44.1%).

Michigan already has a stoned driver problem, more than most states. Since law enforcement does not have good detection methods, this problem will only get worse with legalization.

Read Marijuana Moment article here.
For an in-depth report on how the legalization movement has unfolded, read “Tracking the Money That’s Legalizing Marijuana and Why It Matters” here:

The battle isn’t over

Now the fight goes at the local level.   As Scott Greenlee of Healthy and Productive Michigan told us:

“We will continue to fight to restrict this in any way possible, educate the public, and encourage and assist communities in opting out.”  Read his op-ed which appeared in several Michigan papers, including the Holland Sentinel, here.

Greenlee notes that 70% of Colorado communities opted out of marijuana.  It’s time for Michigan communities to do the same.