LANSING – Rep. Mike Callton said on Wednesday he would consider a proposal to tax marijuana and use the new funds to fix the state’s crumbling roads, something he would call “pot for potholes.”

Callton (R-Nashville) said those growing and selling marijuana would love to be taxed if it meant they could be legal “above the board” businesses. He also said there is a lot of money in it, and pointed to Colorado where marijuana is now legal, saying the state is getting a lot of money.

“You can tax the heck out of marijuana, and put it into a separate fund for Michigan’s roads, because it doesn’t seem like that money is going to come from anywhere else at this point,” he said.

Callton said he would consider introducing the proposal. But, he said it’s better for the issue if different people introduce marijuana-related proposals, since he has already introduced a bill (HB 4271 ) allowing dispensaries.

“I don’t want to look like Doctor Feelgood,” he said. “But I envy the person who puts in ‘pot for pot holes.'”

Callton said if the dispensary bill goes through committee, he would consider introducing a proposal using tax revenue from legalized marijuana to fund the state’s roads.

The dispensary bill, Callton said, has eight Democratic sponsors and eight Republicans, some of whom, he said, are very conservative.

“It’s interesting that the Democrats, who may be more liberal, are joined by the very far right on this issue,” he said.

Rep. Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said he would like to bring up the dispensary bill in committee. He also said he is looking at another issue stemming from the Court of Appeals, which has decided how to weigh edibles and topical ointments that weigh more than only marijuana, but contain less of the actual drug.

“I have heard a lot of compelling stories from individuals who are not looking to smoke marijuana to get high,” Cotter said. “They’re looking to take it in edible form or an ointment and they realize a great benefit from that. The court’s ruling was it provided for that, so the legislation can be revisited.”

Cotter said he is hearing from both opponents and supporters. But he said Callton’s bill allowing for local communities to have the final say in whether to allow dispensaries and how to further regulate them gives it a chance to get through committee.

“There have been good actors and there have been bad actors. What can we learn from that?” He said of dispensaries.

As for a bill to decriminalize marijuana (HB 4623 ), Cotter wasn’t as committed to bring it in for a committee hearing.

“I’m not nearly as motivated on recreational use,” he said. “But I think for the medical use we really put people through the wringer. One day it’s okay, one day it’s not. We just need to provide some stability.”

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