YPSILANTI, MI-- On Tuesday the issue of Michigan's direction on legalized and medical marijuana will be the topic of discussion between five candidates for state Governor in the 2018 election.
The forum-style discussion is being hosted by the Sidetrack restaurant in Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town. The event is slated to run from 6:30 - 8:30, but attendees are welcome to gather earlier, organizers said.
Participating in the event will be candidates Gretchen Whitmer, Abdul El-Sayed, Shri Thanedar, Bill Cobbs, and Evan Space.
The event is titled, MILegalize Gubernatorial candidate meet-and-greet and doubles as a fundraising event for the MILegalize 2018 campaign, which intends to place a proposal for adult use of marijuana on the general election ballot next year.
2018 is when one of the Democratic candidates for governor will run against their Republican opponent, which is likely to be current state Attorney General Bill Schuette. Pernick said this issue is ripe for discussion in Michigan today.
“We haven’t had an opportunity for cannabis activists to meet so many of the pro-legalization candidates before,” Pernick said.
“The format allows us to specifically address issues going on right now and those which will affect the community for the next several years,” Pernick added. “We want to see candidates recognize and become advocates on the issues impacting the community including forfeiture, access to medical cannabis, legalization of adult use and other topics.”
The November 14 candidate forum will be just the first of several in a series being organized by Pernick and others. Over the next six months Pernick will launch events in the 11th District (Oakland County) and in the Grand Rapids area.
“Candidates are ready to speak on the issue,” Pernick said.
