The Detroit Election Commission on Monday rejected a ballot proposal seeking to legalize the possession of a small amount of marijuana in the city, but organizers of the effort plan to file an appeal today in Wayne County Circuit Court.

As

, the commission voted 3-0 to reject the proposal that would ask voters to approve a city code amendment allowing anyone over the age of 21 to legally possess

on private property.

Commissioners said they based their decision on a recommendation from the city's Law Department, which argued state law would trump city code.

But according to Tim Beck, organizer of the Coalition for a Safer Detroit, that argument belies the subtext.

"It's strictly a political decision," Beck told MLive.com this morning. "They don't like the issue and they're afraid it's going to pass."

Beck said his group plans to file an appeal today before Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Virgil Smith, pointing out the proposal would simply change one section of the city code that is based on state law, not attempt to supersede it.

Back in May, Beck submitted more than 6,000 petition signatures to City Clerk Janice Winfrey, who approved 4,500. In June,

on the proposal, a move many assumed would allow voters to decide in November.

Beck remains optimistic Smith will overrule the Election Commission vote by the time absentee ballots go out in October, noting his group will file a writ of mandamus compelling the city to respond in a timely fashion.

"We're even asking they pay our attorney fees," he said. "This is over the top. It really is."

Calls to the Election Commission were not answered.

On

, the Coalition for a Safer Detroit argues that city police have more pressing concerns than marijuana use, suggesting that "in a time of diminishing tax revenue and limited resources, Detroit law enforcement must focus on crimes which have a direct impact upon people and property in the community."

The group also acknowledges that state laws preempt local ordinances, noting that officers could still charge a marijuana user under state law if they chose. But like the federal government's deference to state medical marijuana laws, the group hopes the local law would send a message to city officials that residents want law enforcement resources used on other crimes.