Folks in Michigan are lighting up as the first day of smoking marijuana recreationally is legal in the state.
Supporters say this day is important for the state, not only because smoking cannabis is legal but because of the endless possibilities with research and job opportunities.
"Dude, it’s amazing. It’s absolutely fantastic," said Marvin Marvin (yes, that's his name), senior activist for Michigan.
It’s a day many people were looking forward to, the legalization of marijuana in Michigan.
"I’m just like glad everything is legal now," said Alex Koterva, an advocate for legal cannibis.
Voters said yes to proposition one in November, making marijuana legal in our state. This makes Michigan the first state in the Midwest to legalize pot. And some people say other states in the Midwest may soon follow suit.
"I expect that they will," said Matthew Abel, attorney for NORML Legal Committee. "I think we’ll see a lot of cross-border commerce before that happens."
With cannabis now legal, folks say this now opens up job growth and more research into the product and industry moving forward.
"Also, industrial hemp has been legalized and this has huge environmental implications," said Thomas Levigne, secretary of MI Legalize, a grassroots marijuana legalization organization.
In the end, you’re either for marijuana or against it. Either way, it’s now part of the new norm in Michigan. Advocates for marijuana say not to make any judgments until you know all the facts, and give it some time.
"The more cannabis there is in a community, the more healthy it is generally," Attorney Matthew Abel said. "And lower use of opioids, and lower death rates from opioids."
Remember you still can’t smoke weed in public places, or you'll be fined. For now, the only way you can legally get some weed is if someone gifts it to you, or you start growing your own plants.
