LISTEN: Michigan's Blue Wave & Legal Marijuana, Explained

It was a big Election Day here in Michigan, where the much-discussed “blue wave” helped sweep Democrats — all of them women — into the top statewide elected offices. A fourth, Debbie Stabenow, survived a closer-than-expected battle to win re-election to the U.S. Senate.

We’re devoting today’s episode 100 percent to post-election results and analysis. Occasional host and Daily Detroit spirits advisor Nuri Gocay joins Jer and I to break down the results. He also talks about his experience shuttling people to and from the polls as a volunteer with the Detroit Bus Co.

Later, I speak with Oakland University political science professor David Dulio. He helps provide context for Gretchen Whitmer’s comfortable win over Republican Bill Schuette, the importance of suburban voters and the prospects for divided state government, with the state House and Senate remaining under GOP control.

We also break down the three ballot proposals, which all sailed to approval, including the Proposal 2 anti-gerrymandering initiative and Proposal 3, which will make it easier to vote. I interview medical marijuana expert and attorney Denise Pollicella about Proposal 1, which will make recreational marijuana legal in Michigan.

Pollicella says the licensing of medical marijuana dispensaries has been an overly complicated mess in Michigan, but she credits the drafters of Prop 1 for restricting the state’s ability to interfere in the new recreational cannabis industry. Still, she says the first recreational marijuana dispensaries aren’t likely to open their doors before spring 2020.

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