Local residents rejected a city ballot proposal that would have made possession, use, or sale of less than one ounce of marijuana in Traverse City punishable by a maximum penalty of $100 and up to ten hours community service for a first-time offender by a 58 to 42 percent vote. The measure had been introduced by the local chapter of NORML.
Despite the outcome, Traverse City NORML President Bill Bustance remained optimistic. “The 42 percent [in favor of decriminalization] was better than anyone ever expected us to do,” explained Bustance. “Forty two percent of Traverse City residents were ready to repent for the sins of America’s drug war.”
Bustance further added that he believes the city government used federal finds to sway Traverse City voters’ decisions on the initiative, a felony offense in Michigan. Bustance told NORML that he will file a complaint with the secretary of state in hopes of getting the initiative back on the city ballot.
Prior to the August 6 primary, the Traverse City Commission had unanimously passed a resolution encouraging residents to vote against the initiative.
For more information, please contact Bill Bustance of Traverse City NORML @ (616) 264-9565.