Ottawa County Man Scheduled For November 20 Marijuana Possession Trial Hopes Charges Are Dropped After Proposal One's Approval

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

An Ottawa County man is hoping his marijuana possession charge set for  trial next week will be dropped by prosecutors, or dismissed by the Judge after the passage of Proposal One.

Rick Howard of Grand Haven faces trial stemming from a June pot arrest in Grand Haven, and because of previous drug convictions, simple possession has turned into a felony.

Howard is scheduled for trial November 20^th in Ottawa County Circuit Court before the Hon. Judge Karen Miedema.

With Kent County and other municipalities terminating pending pot possession prosecutions, as well as Governor-elect Whitmer vowing to pardon similar offenders already convicted, 
Howard believes his case should be thrown out.

Michigan voters overwhelmingly voted to amend the Constitution to legalize marijuana for recreational use last week, with the measure passing by nearly 15%. 

The change won't take effect until the end of November or the beginning of December, 10 days after the election is certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Jury selection is in the case is scheduled for November 19. If Howard is convicted, he would be sentenced a few weeks later-when marijuana is legal.
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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