Now that Colorado has legalized recreational marijuana, could Michigan be that far behind?
State Representative John Kivela, who personally opposes legalization at least for now, says he wouldn’t be surprised if recreational pot was legalized here in the next ten years.
Why? Kivela says many young legislators, both Democrat and Republican, think marijuana is a personal choice issue and the government should just get out the business of regulating it.
And, some would say, the current law is a joke.
Right now, a tiny handful of doctors are issuing most of the prescriptions to the patients (“You got a bad back? Fine. Give me $100. Here’s your prescription.”)
The “patients” get their pot from “caregivers” who are growing the pot in irrigated and artificially lit basements and spare rooms all over the state.
The patients give the caregivers money; the caregivers hand over the pot to the patients.
Sure sounds like a drug deal to me. Why are we pretending it isn’t?
There’s little doubt that marijuana has therapeutic use for some patients but let’s not kid ourselves. Much, if not most, of this “medical marijuana” is going to recreational use.
Enough of the charade. Legalize it, tax it, get rid of the dumb regulations, and let’s move on.
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If you see Matt Gougeon, the general manager of the Marquette Food Co-op, in the next few days, congratulate him for not having jumped out of a high story building.
He’s had a rough year.
You see, after months of tenacious and sometimes frustrating work, Gougeon finally had financing all lined up for the Co-op’s long anticipated move and expansion…and then it suddenly all fell apart when the federal government shut down.
The USDA, which was to be a major part of the loan program, pulled out during the shutdown, and then some of the other players started getting cold feet, more red tape was wound around the project, deadlines were rapidly approaching, winter was setting in, workers were itching to get the construction completed, but money to pay them was in short supply.
Other than that, things were hunky-dory.
There’s a happy ending, however. Gougeon managed to reassemble the financial package (nearly $5 million worth) with Range Bank, Northern Initiatives, the Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and cash from Co-op members.
Everything’s on track again, construction’s underway, and the new Co-op, triple in size and with a large deli, is finally scheduled to open in late April or early May.
Don’t be surprised if Gougeon’s there at the front door welcoming you while he’s nibbling on sprouts, sipping organic wine, and wearing a goofy, profoundly relieved smile on his face.
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It appears that WLUC has become the farm system for Green Bay TV.
Gabrielle Mays has become the latest TV6er to head south for the greener (as in dollar bills) pastures of Green Bay and WLUK.
That’s where she’ll join fellow TV6 alumni Andrew Lacombe and Phil DeCastro. Beth Jones, another TV6 alum, just left WLUK a few months ago to get out of the business.
Also in Green Bay, Heather Sawaski at WFRV, Nikki Junewicz at WBAY (though she’s now leaving for an anchor job in Eau Claire), and Ryan Kilgren, a photographer at WBAY.
These Marquette kids–we train them right, pay them the big bucks, and then they turn their backs on us.
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We told you about the new Mexican restaurant, El Sol Azteca, opening their doors with absolutely no fanfare over a week ago.
Turns out they didn’t need the balloons and marching bands.
I walked in there on Friday at 1:15 pm and only two tables were empty. The place was packed.
Apparently word gets around, especially when you’re talking about low-priced Mexican food with a great view. El Sol Azteca sits one floor above L’Attitude.
My lunch was excellent with good chips and great salsa. A huge menu.
Still no liquor license. Deal with it.
The restaurant is open from 11 until 9 every day.
You got news? Email me at briancabell@gmail.com