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(MLive file photo)

LANSING, MI -- Voters in East Lansing are the latest in Michigan to approve lessening local marijuana ordinances. With 16 out of 17 precincts reporting late Tuesday night, 2,973 voters, or 65.57 percent, approved a charter amendment to repeal the city of East Lansing's current marijuana ordinances. Now, the use, possession and transfer of up to 1 ounce of the marijuana is legal for people 21 years or older on private property. Attorney Jeff Hank, who spearheaded the campaign, said he was pleased with the results. Between a statewide proposal being on the ballot, other city charter questions, the rain and finals week at Michigan State University, he didn't know what the turnout would be. He said he hopes the proposal will have a positive effect in the lives of people in East Lansing. "We don't want to see the arrests" related to marijuana possession, Hank said, or have people caught in the criminal justice system. Hank said the East Lansing vote, like others that have passed in communities across Michigan, should send a clear message to Lansing about legalizing and taxing marijuana. "Time and time again we keep winning elections," Hank said. "The message is clear, the legislature and the governor has to start this conversation." Hank also chairs the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, which seeks to put a statewide proposal on the 2016 ballot to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Michigan. He noted that while Proposal 1 failed to raise money for roads on Tuesday, there could be more money coming into the state if it taxes marijuana. He said Tuesday night he wants to sit down with Snyder and the legislature to discuss their plan to tax the drug. East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett supported the ballot proposal, but said much will likely not change in East Lansing. "I expect the impact on our community to be very minimal," Triplett said. In the past fiscal year, there were 23 use or possession citations issued, Triplett said, and that East Lansing police have made marijuana enforcement a low priority. The proposal will not impact Michigan State University and current state and federal laws still in effect. This could cause some confusion, Triplett said, so the city and University will work on explaining the rules to residents and students. While Triplett he supports local control on several issues, marijuana is not one of those. Like Hank, he hopes the passage will send a message to the state legislature to address marijuana legislation. *Fritz Klug is a news buzz reporter for MLive. Contact him at