The city that hosts the annual Hash Bash and that legalized medical marijuana ahead of everybody else in Michigan is moving to “higher times.”
The City Council has voted to increase the number of Dispensaries to 28.
Chuck Ream is a longtime advocate of marijuana use and says his city needs a free market.
“Capitalism is a very sharp blade that will weed out all of the poor players. Ann Arbor is the world leader and we plan to remain the leader and the best in cannabis marketing and technology,” he said.
No one is allowed inside the dispensaries without a medical marijuana card. Dustin Rief says he just went to a doctor and got a temporary state card he showed us.
He talked with 7 Investigator Jim Kiertzner.
KIERTZNER: How long have you had it?
RIEF: Ah, two hours.
KIERTZNER: Why did you get the card?
RIEF: I have some back issues what-not. I’ve been treating myself medicinally for years anyway. So I might as well be legal.
Rief also had inside a bag what he just bought inside the store. The exchange continues…
RIEF: A little bit of everything.
KIERTZNER: Would you mind opening it up and showing us?
RIEF: Can I do stuff like that?
KIERTZNER: I don’t know.
RIEF: I don’t think so.
KIERTZNER: Oh, let’s not break the law!
Continued Ream, “The citizens of Ann Arbor were the first to reject reefer madness.”
In other words, in his view, people directing local government to keep it real. That includes the annual Hash Bash which is one day a year of open recreational use.
The only ones arrested are for disorderly conduct.
In 2004, voters by 3 to 1 were the first to approve medical marijuana use. And in 1972 voters passed a 5 dollar fine.
Michigan voters could be asked to approve recreational use statewide on the November ballot. Or the Michigan Legislature could legalize its own version.
Ream is skeptical the issue will be hijacked. “The Republican legislature wants to essentially gut it or destroy it.”
The City Council will continue visit the issue this summer.
