LANSING (WKZO-AM) — A marijuana decriminalization initiative approved in Portage last month may have some teeth in it after all, thanks to a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court on Friday.
Portage voters narrowly approved a measure in November that would prevent the city from enacting any laws disallowing the possession of small amounts of the drug. City officials argued that, since officers were bound to enforce state laws, the initiative had no real effect.
But Friday, the court declined to hear a case filed by the prosecutors in Kent County challenging a marijuana initiative approved in Grand Rapids. That means a lower court ruling upholding the voter’s choice will stand.
Portage’s ballot language, which was crafted to match the initiatives in several other cities, may also be impacted by the ruling.
– John McNeill
