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Charter commission strikes chapter on marijuana from draft charter
Summary
The commission voted May 6 to remove the existing charter chapter addressing marijuana/cannabis; an initial motion to table failed and the main motion to strike passed 5–2.
LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing Charter Commission voted May 6 to remove the charter chapter addressing marijuana (cannabis) from the draft charter.
Commissioner Boyd moved to strike Chapter 5 (marijuana/cannabis). A prior motion to table that proposal failed in a roll call (four nays, three yeas). The commission then returned to the main motion; the chair called the vote and reported the motion passed 5–2, and the chapter was removed from the draft charter.
The attorney had earlier advised commissioners that state recreational marijuana law and related changes in the Michigan Constitution had altered the legal landscape since the chapter was first added in 2013. Commissioners who favored removal argued the state law now governs those subjects and that leaving the charter provision in place could create conflicts or unintended consequences. Others cautioned that removing a charter amendment originally sought to decriminalize marijuana might raise community concerns.
Why it matters: Removing a charter provision that addressed marijuana updates the draft charter to reflect current state law and avoids duplicative or potentially conflicting local charter language. Commissioners noted the original 2013 amendment reflected a different legal context.
What comes next: The chapter will not be included in the draft charter text produced at this stage; commissioners may revisit related language if future proposals are brought forward.
