Nine Michigan cities have passed permissive marijuana laws. Some cities have decriminalized marijuana so that the penalty is similar to a traffic ticket. Marijuana use would not be a crime and the penalty would be a fine. Three Michigan cities—Ferndale, Jackson and Lansing—have legalized the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana. In these cities, there is no penalty at all for usage or minor possession.
What these cities have done stands in contravention to state and federal law. Under federal law, it's a crime to use or possess marijuana. However, current federal policy makes it a low priority to arrest individuals that are using marijuana, consistent with state law. It should also be pointed out that Michigan has a statewide medical marijuana law permitting usage for medical purposes. Use and possession outside the parameters of the medical marijuana law are illegal and therefore subject to criminal prosecution.
Do you think that marijuana should be legal or decriminalized? Do you think it should remain illegal? The federal government seems to be letting states set their own policy. Do you think this is a good idea? Some argue that marijuana is a “gateway” drug leading to usage of more harmful drugs. What impact do you think legalization/decriminalization will have on society in the long run?
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