A coalition that wants to legalize recreational marijuana has gathered 100,000 signatures for a petition drive so far. Cigarette sales are down in Michigan, but lung cancer deaths are up. Black bear populations have risen in the northern Lower Peninsula.
A group that wants to legalize recreational marijuana has collected more than 100,000 signatures in a petition drive so far. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol got 40 percent of the signatures it needs to put the issue on Michigan’s November 2018 ballot. If approved, the legislation would legalize the use and sale of recreational marijuana. Like alcohol, the drug would be taxed and would only be available to people over the age of 21. The marijuana advocacy group must collect about 252,000 valid signatures by November 22nd. (M-Live)
Though fewer people are buying cigarettes, more Michiganders are dying of lung cancer. Since the 1980s, cigarette sales have decreased by two thirds. But in that same time period, lung cancer deaths went up by 30 percent. Health experts say that could be a result of an aging population, as more people get cancer in old age. (M-Live)
No more Asian carp have made it through an electronic barrier to keep them out of Lake Michigan. Two weeks ago a carp found its way through the barrier via the Chicago waterway, but did not manage to reach the Lake. Since then, fishing crews have been searching the waterway for the invasive species. Politicians and environmentalists fear that Asian carp could destroy native fish habitat if they were to reach the Great Lakes. (Detroit Free Press)
Black bear populations are up in the northern Lower Peninsula. The number of black bears in the region has gone up by 29 percent since 2012. The state Department of Natural Resources says it expected some of that growth. The DNR restricted bear hunting in some areas to allow for more game for hunters down the road. But some residents aren’t happy to see more black bears. The increase has led to more overturned trash cans as well as raided beehives and bird feeders. (Detroit Free Press)