Detroit, MI–(ENEWSPF)–May 14, 2010. Detroit citizens will likely vote this November on a municipal measure to prohibit the criminal prosecution of adults who possess minor amounts of marijuana.
Organizers from the Coalition for a Safer Detroit gathered over 6,100 signatures in favor of the proposal. That total is nearly twice the number of signatures required by law to place the measure on the November ballot.
City officials have until early next week to certify the petition. The City Council then has 30 days to either enact the proposal or place it before voters this fall.
If enacted, the measure would amend the Detroit City Code to remove criminal penalties for “the use or possession of less then one ounce of marijuana, on private property, by anyone who has attained the age of 21 years.”
Speaking to the Detroit Free Press, NORML Legal Committee member and Coalition co-coordinator Matt Abel said, “Our feeling is, how do we put an end to the drug war? This would be a step.”
Voters have previously enacted similar municipal measures in several other cities, including Denver, Colorado.
Source: norml.org
