PFlynn
New Member
Ferndale, MI - Voters in this funky and progressive suburb will get the chance in November to legalize the sale of marijuana within city limits for medical purposes. But one city councilman thinks a proposal by the National Organization for Positive Medicine is a publicity stunt that, if approved, would amount to nothing.
The proposal, which voters will decide Nov. 4, would allow the National Organization for Positive Medicine to obtain a court order to distribute and sell medical marijuana to "sick" patients.
Mayor Craig Covey said Ferndale voters already approved in 2005 an ordinance that allows the use of medical marijuana when prescribed by a physician, but state law bans all marijuana use.
Covey said the proposal is specific to the National Organization for Positive Medicine and would allow only that group to distribute pot. The group is headed by Carl M. Swanson, who reportedly resides in South Boston, Mass.
"Swanson is looking ahead to when it's decriminalized statewide and he can distribute legally," Covey said. "But it's just for him. We are just scratching our heads here."
The issue was forced to the ballot when the Ferndale City Council refused to take action on the proposal at its June 9 meeting.
Councilman T. Scott Galloway said Swanson's campaign is a publicity stunt that is part of a national effort to promote decriminalization.
"This guy from Boston has been pushing this thing. If the police pull you over in Ferndale and you are smoking a joint, you are going to get busted," Galloway said.
Swanson's attorney, Thad McCollum, said Swanson was unavailable for comment.
Galloway admitted there is tremendous debate on the issue. He encourages residents to vote their conscience.
"Like any movement, it has to start somewhere. My guess is that it passes, but has no real effect. You have to get a court order. That's never going to happen," he said.
A proposal to legalize marijuana use by the terminally and seriously ill will be before all Michigan voters this fall. City Manager Bob Bruner said the statewide initiative and the Ferndale proposal are not related.
"Both initiatives are one step in the process that different marijuana advocacy groups are taking to get legalized marijuana in Michigan. They are just going about it in different ways," Bruner said.
Bruner said residents are aware the initiative is being pushed by someone outside the city and the state.
"They decided to try this in Ferndale, a small, friendly community. This is not something initiated by the community," he said.
Note: Voters to get chance Nov. 4 to legalize drug's sale for medical use, though Michigan law still forbids it.
News Hawk: PFlynn - 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2008 The Detroit News
Contact: letters@detnews.com
Website: Marijuana issue on ballot
The proposal, which voters will decide Nov. 4, would allow the National Organization for Positive Medicine to obtain a court order to distribute and sell medical marijuana to "sick" patients.
Mayor Craig Covey said Ferndale voters already approved in 2005 an ordinance that allows the use of medical marijuana when prescribed by a physician, but state law bans all marijuana use.
Covey said the proposal is specific to the National Organization for Positive Medicine and would allow only that group to distribute pot. The group is headed by Carl M. Swanson, who reportedly resides in South Boston, Mass.
"Swanson is looking ahead to when it's decriminalized statewide and he can distribute legally," Covey said. "But it's just for him. We are just scratching our heads here."
The issue was forced to the ballot when the Ferndale City Council refused to take action on the proposal at its June 9 meeting.
Councilman T. Scott Galloway said Swanson's campaign is a publicity stunt that is part of a national effort to promote decriminalization.
"This guy from Boston has been pushing this thing. If the police pull you over in Ferndale and you are smoking a joint, you are going to get busted," Galloway said.
Swanson's attorney, Thad McCollum, said Swanson was unavailable for comment.
Galloway admitted there is tremendous debate on the issue. He encourages residents to vote their conscience.
"Like any movement, it has to start somewhere. My guess is that it passes, but has no real effect. You have to get a court order. That's never going to happen," he said.
A proposal to legalize marijuana use by the terminally and seriously ill will be before all Michigan voters this fall. City Manager Bob Bruner said the statewide initiative and the Ferndale proposal are not related.
"Both initiatives are one step in the process that different marijuana advocacy groups are taking to get legalized marijuana in Michigan. They are just going about it in different ways," Bruner said.
Bruner said residents are aware the initiative is being pushed by someone outside the city and the state.
"They decided to try this in Ferndale, a small, friendly community. This is not something initiated by the community," he said.
Note: Voters to get chance Nov. 4 to legalize drug's sale for medical use, though Michigan law still forbids it.
News Hawk: PFlynn - 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2008 The Detroit News
Contact: letters@detnews.com
Website: Marijuana issue on ballot
