Three Michigan cities vote to ease marijuana laws

LANSING (AP) -- Voters in three Michigan cities have given a big thumbs up to proposals offering some legal protection to users of small amounts of marijuana. Proposals on the ballot Tuesday in Ferndale, Jackson and Lansing call on police to ignore possession of an ounce or less of marijuana on private property. People must be at least 21 years old. Unofficial returns show Ferndale's proposal getting 69 percent support, Jackson's getting 61 percent and Lansing's getting 63 percent. Marijuana users in the communities still face risks because state law bars marijuana use and possession unless it's medical marijuana. In 2012, Grand Rapids voters chose to make possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil violation instead of a misdemeanor crime. Published: Thu, Nov 7, 2013