General Discussion

greenman3610

(3,947 posts) Wed Nov 7, 2012, 04:26 PM Nov 2012

detroit, grand rapids, and flint michigan decriminalize pot

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121107/METRO/211070412/1409/metro/Pot-laws-eased-Detroit-Grand-Rapids-Flint

Detroit — Final tabulations of Tuesday's elections show that city voters overwhelmingly approved a proposal to decriminalize marijuana.

With all precincts reporting, the measure passed 65-35 percent. It will allow adults older than 21 to possess less than an ounce of marijuana on personal property without criminal prosecution.

"This is no surprise," said Tim Beck, chairman of the Coalition for a Safer Detroit. "We knew we were going to win."

"I truly believe that the city will not use its resources to prosecute small time marijuana users. There is no upside."

Sgt. Eren Stephens, the Detroit Police Department spokeswoman, said Wednesday that the department had no comment on Proposal M's passage.

"We will be guided by the city of Detroit's law department," Stephens said.

A call to a spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.

The effort came the same day that ballot measures relaxing laws on marijuana won approval statewide and nationwide.

In Grand Rapids, voters made marijuana possession a civil infraction punishable by a fine — rather than a misdemeanor that carried possible jail time — 59-41 percent. In Flint, allowing possession of less than an ounce for those older than 19 was leading 57-43 percent with 95 percent of precincts reporting.

Nationally, voters in Colorado and Washington also approved recreational use of the drug, setting up a potential showdown with federal authorities.