by Rick Thompson/November 1, 2017
YPSILANTI- On November 14 five of the Democratic candidates for Governor of Michigan will meet the state’s cannabis community in a forum-style discussion about the current medical and pending adult-use cannabis laws.
Participating in the event will be candidates Gretchen Whitmer; Abdul El-Sayed; Shri Thanedar; Bill Cobbs; and Evan Space. The Sidetrack Bar and Grill in Ypsilanti will host the gathering.
The event is titled, MiLegalize Gubernatorial Meet and Greet, and proceeds from the event will benefit the effort to bring adult-use cannabis laws to the Great Lakes State. Event organizer Sam Pernick is also an organizer for the MILegalize group, who are currently petitioning the state as part of the Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol to put a proposal for the adult-use of marijuana on the state’s 2018 ballot.
2018 is when one of the Democratic candidates for governor will run against their Republican opponent, which is likely to be current state Attorney General Bill Schuette. Pernick said this issue is ripe for discussion in Michigan today.
“We haven’t had an opportunity for cannabis activists to meet so many of the pro-legalization candidates before,” Pernick told The Social Revolution.org “This is a unique event.”
The Sidetrack is a venue which has hosted many cannabis discussions in the past, and the venue offers an opportunity for candidates to get up close and personal with patients, caregivers and those who support legalized marijuana use by adults.
“The format allows us to specifically address issues going on right now and those which will affect the community for the next several years,” Pernick added. “We want to see candidates recognize and become advocates on the issues impacting the community including forfeiture, access to medical cannabis, legalization of adult use and other topics.”
The November 14 candidate forum will be just the first of several in a series being organized by Pernick and others. Over the next six months Pernick will launch events in the 11th District (Oakland County) and in the Grand Rapids area.
“Candidates are ready to speak on the issue,” Pernick said.