UPDATE: Ballot language approved for marijuana proposal in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Another proposal to amend the city charter appears headed to the November ballot. Backers of marijuana decriminalization this afternoon turned in more than 10,000 signatures of people pushing to make possession and use of marijuana a civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor crime in Grand Rapids.

The city clerk’s office now will verify that enough of those signatures – 5 percent of the city’s registered voters, or about 6,500 – come from registered voters in Grand Rapids. The ballot language also must get approval from the Michigan Secretary of State and attorney general, City Clerk Lauri Parks said.

“We’re thrilled to have such a high level of support across the city for this common-sense initiative,” DecriminalizeGR director Michael Tuffelmire said in a statement. “This policy change will save the taxpayers millions of dollars and help stop young people in our city from needlessly going to jail because of an archaic law. This is definitely the smarter way.”

Grand Rapids voters in November also will consider a charter amendment that would make the city comptroller job an appointment rather than an election of the people. Another citizen initiative that hoped to put an issue on November's ballot calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution failed to collect enough signatures.

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DecriminalizeGR projects that changing marijuana possession and use from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction resulting in a ticket and fine will save taxpayers an estimated $2.5 million per year, while also reducing the arrest rate among youths and freeing up city police to spend time on other crime prevention and law enforcement.

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