DETROIT, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A former Michigan attorney general who admits he smoked pot in high school says he's not against it philosophically but sees practical problems in legalization.
Mike Cox, a Republican, made the admission Friday at a conference at Wayne State University Law School on marijuana reform, explaining why he refused to back changes some Michigan activists are looking for.
"I am not for it mostly because I don't know how you regulate common, everyday things such as driving while impaired," Cox said. "If it becomes legal, I don't think I'll ever use it again. That being said, philosophically I am not against it. They haven't come up with a good way to regulate in the workplace or driving to measure it and deal with it."
Members of The Committee for Safer Michigan have begun a petition effort to collect signatures to get the measure on the November ballot. They hope it will ultimately lead to a constitutional amendment legalizing legalize marijuana for Michigan residents 21 and older, The Detroit News reported.
Activists need 322,609 signatures by July 9.
Matthew Abel, campaign director, says the signature drive has recruited nearly 2,000 volunteers across Michigan. He hopes the WSU symposium expanded their cause.
"I hope it will educate people how and why prohibition doesn't work, won't work and needs to be repealed," Abel said.
