Sound off

The majority of Michiganians support legalizing the recreation use of marijuana, says polling by EPIC MRA. In 2015, those for it numbered 53 percent — up from 50 percent the year before and 47 percent in 2014. How in touch with their constituents are our politicians? Here are some of their views:

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows: “Yeah. I think I signed a petition for that. I support it because it’s better to have it regulated than unregulated.”

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero: “We’re a lot better off bringing it out of the shadows and creating a regulatory framework as had to be done with alcohol. Legalizing it allows us to bring it out of the shadows; allows us to regulate it; allows you to get revenues out of it. This moves marijuana from an expenditure to a revenue."

State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, which would oversee such legislation. “I personally don’t want to see another social drug out there. I am completely supportive of medical marijuana.”

Ingham County Clerk Bark Byrum: “I am not necessarily opposed to it, but I would like to see any proposal and the regulations first.”

State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., D-Meridian Township: “Yes, as long as there are regulations in place.”

Lansing City Councilwoman Carol Wood, who chairs the Committee on Public Safety: “No. I grew up — and I realize this is a generational thing — in an era where we were taught it led to harder drugs and issues. If that is what the public approves, however, then I will work as a legislator to address the regulation needs. Am I out there lobbying against it? No. Not at all.”

State Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee: “In the longer term I would support legalization, although I prefer to use decriminalization. But we need to go in steps"