Advocate: 'I Just Think Voters Spoke on It. I Figured It Was Going to Pass.' Hazel Park and Oak Park voters who expected legalized marijuana after Tuesday's vote may face some disappointment. The two marijuana decriminalization ballot measures passed by voters are most likely a statement rather than a full-on legalization. Hazel Park Police Chief Martin Barner said the way his department handles marijuana will not change. "I'm going to continue to enforce the laws of the state and federal laws," Barner said. "And until the city council, mayor, city attorney and other administration tell me to do otherwise, (we will enforce it)." [continues 324 words]
Voters in the cities of Hazel Park and Oak Park passed similar ordinance amendments that will allow for individuals ages 21 and older to legally use, possess or transfer less than one ounce of marijuana on private property. The Hazel Park ballot measure passed with 763 "yes" votes and 460 "no" votes with all precincts reporting. The Oak Park ballot measure passed with 2,161 "yes" votes and 1,913 "no" votes with all precincts reporting. Both cities join Ferndale, where voters approved a similar decriminalization amendment in November 2013 by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Hazel Park Schools Millage YES: 57.75% (909) NO: 42.25% (665) Oakland County SMART Bus Millage YES: 73.66% (73,253) NO: 26.34% (26,195) [end]
