September 12, 2011
LANSING
-
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Secretary of State
Ruth Johnson announced a Lansing marijuana dispensary owner has been charged
with violating Michigan election law for allegedly offering free marijuana to
citizens who registered to vote as an inducement to influence their manner of
voting. Shekina Pena, 34, owner of Your Healthy Choice Clinic, has been charged
with one count of Election Law - Influencing Voters with Money Or Other Valuable
Consideration.
"Voters did
not intend for marijuana to be handed out as a door prize, especially when it
undermines the integrity of our elections process," said Schuette. "Secretary
of State Johnson and I will work to ensure that Michigan election law is
followed."
"Integrity in
elections is sacred to democracy," said Johnson, who has made election reform a
top priority for the Michigan Department of State. "The intent of their actions
was clear - they offered their customers marijuana in exchange for voter
registration. They also supplied a slate of their preferred candidates. This
goes beyond election shenanigans. They should be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law."
Investigation by the Attorney General's office revealed that on July 27, 2011,
Pena's dispensary allegedly offered free marijuana in exchange for citizens
registering to vote. The dispensary allegedly encouraged the newly registered
voters to support a certain slate of candidates running for Lansing City Council
based on their position regarding regulation of marijuana dispensaries,
including the one owned by Pena. The dispensary's website also featured the
slogan "Vote for Us and We'll Vote For You."
Michigan Election Law prohibits the provision of anything of value in order to
induce or influence the manner of voting (MCL 168.931(1)(a)). Such violations
are misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
The charge
against Pena was filed today in Lansing's 54A District Court. Pena was
arraigned before Judge DeLuca and a personal bond of $3,500 was set. Future
court dates have yet to be scheduled.
# 30 #
|
