Last week Michigan voters approved of all three ballot proposals, making sweeping changes to elections, voting, and marijuana in the state.

Proposal 1: Recreational Marijuana

• Allows for the personal possession and use of marijuana for those over the age of 21
• Allows for cultivation and sale of marijuana for those over the age of 21
• Permits the taxation of revenue from marijuana facilities
• Permits the promulgation of administrative rules
  Prescribe penalties for violations

Proposal 2: Redistricting

• Creates the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
• Transfers the authority for drawing congressional and state legislative districts from the legislature to the commission
• Thirteen randomly selected registered voters will serve on the commission. Comprised of four members who self-identify with each of the two major political parties, and five non-affiliated, independent members

Proposal 3: Voting

• Allows for straight ticket voting
• Allow for no-reason absentee voting
• A resident would be automatically registered to vote when obtaining a driver’s license or personal identification card
• A person could register to vote by mail on or before the 15^th day before an election

Proposals 1 and 2 will both affect the state budget once implemented. Under Proposal 1, the state may tax revenue from marijuana facilities, which is projected to increase the annual budget by an estimated $134 million a year once the market matures. While this is an estimate, the state’s revenue will most likely see an influx once this takes effect. On the flip side, Proposal 2 will cause a negative impact on the state’s budget. The cost of paying commissioners, hiring staff, consultants, and attorneys is estimated to be a minimum of $5.5 million a year. The exact cost is based on a formula, which states 25% of the Secretary of State’s current budget will be appropriated to this effort.

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