LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan would legalize the use of marijuana for recreational use under two proposed voter initiatives up for consideration by the state's election board.
The Board of State Canvassers will consider the form of the petitions on Thursday. If advocacy groups get the go-ahead, they can begin collecting roughly 253,000 voter signatures needed to put the bills before the Legislature.
The measures would receive statewide votes in 2016 if lawmakers do not act.
One initiative is being led by traditional marijuana activists. The other has backing from a Republican political operative working on the behalf of anonymous business interests.
Michigan already allows marijuana use for medical purposes.
Recreational marijuana is legal in Washington state, Colorado and Washington, D.C. It will become legal in Oregon this summer.