Ferndale Marijuana Ordinance Approved

[Ganjarden]

Ferndale’s medical marijuana ordinance was on its way to victory Tuesday night, with 79 percent of voters approving the measure.

The ordinance, sponsored by the National Organization for Positive Medicine (NOPM), not only permits the use of medical marijuana within Ferndale city limits, but permits the NOPM to distribute it to patients.

While the absentee votes had not yet been counted late Tuesday, the ordinance garnered 6,825 votes with 1,766 or 20.5 percent no votes.

The ordinance is not affiliated with the state medical marijuana ballot initiative, which was also moving toward approval Tuesday.

Daniel Christ, Ferndale city attorney, said in June that the proposed ordinance not only permits the use of medical marijuana, but permits the National Organization for Positive Medicine to distribute it to those needing it.

Even if voters approve the ordinance, those partaking of marijuana for medicinal purposes within Ferndale city limits could still be prosecuted under state and federal laws. In other words, the ordinance would amend marijuana laws on a municipal level only.

The National Organization for Positive Medicine is headed by Carl Swanson, reportedly a former resident of the area. It’s not known why the group chose Ferndale to initiate the proposal.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: HomeTownLife.com
Author: Megan Pennefather
Contact: Observer & Eccentric Papers
Copyright: 2008 the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers
Website: Ferndale Marijuana Ordinance Approved