[420 Girl]

Michigan — Fenton Township residents who are caught illegally consuming or possessing marijuana might be prosecuted by a local ordinance rather than a state law.

“The Sheriff’s Department asked that we add to the Disorderly Persons Ordinance so they have a local ordinance to charge marijuana users that they catch,” said Township Attorney Richard Cooley. “Before, they’ve had to send them to the prosecutor’s office and go by the state statute.”

The Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted to add illegal consumption, possession and growth of marijuana to the ordinance at its March 15 meeting.

This could create a less-serious offense for first-time offenders, Trustee John Tucker said.

“I see these kids who have had drug offenses at age 17 or 18, and now they’re 25 … and it’s a terrible hurdle to overcome,” Cooley said. “This allows the deputy to make the choice on the spot. (If the deputy chooses to prosecute them under the Disorderly Persons Ordinance), on their record it doesn’t say possession of marijuana, it says disorderly person.”

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