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Legalize marijuana group sues Michigan over petition rules

Posted at 10:42 AM, Jun 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-17 10:42:42-04

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A group trying to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Michigan is suing after an elections board said it didn’t collect enough valid voter signatures to qualify for a statewide November vote.

The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press report MI Legalize on Thursday sued the state in the Michigan Court of Claims. Lawyers for the group argue that state laws and policy are inconsistent with the Michigan Constitution.

The Secretary of State’s office declined comment Friday, saying it hadn’t yet seen the lawsuit.

The Board of State Canvassers last week rejected petitions from the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, which contends 137,000 of its signatures are still valid despite being older than 180 days. Gov. Rick Snyder also last week signed a new law on the matter.