Michigan voters will decide at the polls whether or not to increase the state tax rate from six to seven percent. According to a recent Survey USA poll commissioned by the Michigan Medical Marijuana Report, Michiganders would rather legalize, tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol.
The poll indicates that a majority of Michigan voters are against raising the state sales tax to pay for roads and schools. A higher sales tax was approved by the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder during last year's lame duck session, and will be voted on in May in a special statewide election.
Of the 500 registered Michigan voters surveyed, only 43 percent support raising the sales tax to pay for roads; 49 percent opposed the hike, and 8 percent weren't sure.
The poll shows that 64 percent of Michigan adults would likely vote in favor of taxing and regulating marijuana, as opposed to raising taxes across the board. Twenty-eight percent of respondents opposed regulating marijuana like alcohol, and 8 percent weren't sure.
"The road tax is in serious trouble," said Tim Beck, chair of the Safer Michigan Coalition. "Voters are suspicious of more taxes imposed upon the general population.
"There are other, more creative ways to generate revenue to fund roads and schools," Beck said. "Regulation and taxation of marijuana is an alternative voters seem to prefer."
