JACKSON, MI - Marijuana advocates in Jackson took to the polls in droves Tuesday, Nov. 5, and passed a proposal that permits residents to carry marijuana within city limits.

The proposal, which decriminalizes 1 ounce of marijuana or less for residents 21-years or older, passed easily via a 2,242-1,434 vote.

"There is now 14 cities in the state of Michigan that passed similar ordinance, and we hope this will send a message to politicians," marijuana proponent Roger Maufort said. "We're very excited."

More than 550 residents signed and turned in a petition in July to put the proposal to a public vote.

Maufort and Steven Sharpe turned in the petition Tuesday, July 30. Maufort is the president of the Jackson County Compassion Club. Sharpe is a Jackson resident and marijuana advocate.

"I was confident this would pass," Sharpe said. "With the numbers coming in, considering it was an off election year, we're very happy to see a high voter turnout."

Jackson resident Jennifer Martin, 23, voted in favor of the proposal.

"I voted 'yes' because I think it should be straight up legal," Martin said. "People are going to smoke it anyway, whether this is voted in or not."

Maufort and Sharpe maintain that the proposal can help Jackson law enforcement focus on "real crime" in the city.

"If you look at the closure rates of larcenies, breaking and enterings, even rape, it's appalling," Maufort said. "We need police to focus on taking care of the real issues facing residents."

Jackson City Council members voted in August to put the proposal to a public vote and place it on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. Under law, the council was required to either vote in the proposal or put it to a public vote.

The proposal will change the city's code to read "none of the provisions of this division shall apply to the use, possession or transfer of less than 1 ounce of marijuana on private property by a person who has attained the age of 21 years."

Contact Will Forgrave at wforgrav@mlive.com or 517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at @WillForgrave.