Jackson Voters Pass Proposal Allowing Possession of Marijuana
by More than 800-Vote Margin
With this residents may ask, “is it legal to smoke weed in Jackson, Michigan?”
NO!
Officers can still arrest and charge any marijuana offense under the Michigan’s controlled substance laws. Further marijuana is still a schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law as well. The ballot proposal only allows for officers to have a choice to not arrest and charge a person if they choose to follow city ordinances. Thus, officers will still have discretion to arrest and charge anybody they want.
The proposal will change the city’s municipal code to read “none of the provisions of this division shall apply to the use, possession or transfer of less than 1 ounce of marijuana on private property by a person who has attained the age of 21 years.” Activists are hoping votes will help spur action in the Michigan Legislature, where some legislators this year floated the idea of legalizing cannabis and collecting tax money to fix highways. The law passed 2,242-1,434 in an election that drew about 18% of registered voters. Jackson Police Chief, Matthew Heins argued that the new ordinance would make life difficult for the cops. “It’s a never ending process to try and keep the officers abreast…what is the most recent legalization…what is the most recent court decisions.”
In conclusion: is it legal to smoke weed in Jackson, Michigan? The answer is NO! It is still illegal under both state and federal law to possess or use any amount of marijuana. Officers can choose to follow the will of the people and not arrest and charge in situations involving less than one ounce on public property, but this is their choice and you therefore should not feel protected.
If you are prosecuted for a marijuana offense Contact the experts at Rudoi Law today.