Politics & Government
UPDATED: Ferndale to Vote on Decriminalizing Marijuana in November
The City Council declined Monday to adopt a proposed ordinance alteration that would allow adults age 21 or older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana on private property, thus sending it to the ballot.
The Ferndale City Council did not adopt an ordinance alteration to decriminalize marijuana Monday night at City Hall, which means the measure will appear on the November ballot for voters to decide.
Resident Andrew Cissell on July 30 submitted a petition for the ordinance change, which would allow adults age 21 or older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana on private property within the city.
Ferndale City Clerk J. Cherilynn Brown said the council had two options after she certified the petition later July 30: adopt the ordinance alteration within 20 days or put it on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Nine audience members argued for and against the measure Monday before the City Council opened discussion on the measure and heard from Ferndale City Attorney P. Daniel Christ and Police Chief Timothy Collins.
Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
City Councilman Dan Martin moved to adopt the altered ordinance and received no support, sending the measure to the November ballot.
Voters in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti already have passed similar ordinances.
Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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