Retired Police Officers Backing Proposal 1

marijuana88-10
marijuana88-10

While almost every police department opposes the effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan, several retired police officers disagree. Sheriffs across the state say they’re concerned about more people getting high behind the wheel and children having greater access to the drug if it’s legalized. But the group Law Enforcement Action Partnership, or LEAP, presented former police officials who support Proposal 1. Among them is retired Canton police officer Steve Miller.

“In my over 20 years experience as a police officer, I cannot honestly come up with one violent crime or property crime or anything else that was caused by marijuana,” says Miller. Also supporting it is retired Bath Township officer Howard Woolridge.

“They want to keep it illegal because they want to be able to search any and every car or person they come in contact with by the claim ‘I smell marijuana,’” said Woolridge. “Driving while black is still a problem in this state and the smell of marijuana is the hook to continue police action that is often illegal and certainly repugnant.”

The latest poll finds Michigan voters support Proposal 1 by a 17-point margin.