FERNDALE OKS USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

FERNDALE-- Medical marijuana got a thumbs up Tuesday when about 60
percent of city voters approved an ordinance to decriminalize its use
for patients.

Voters also approved a hefty 1,000 percent pay hike for the mayor
while denying a similar increase for council members.

Ann Arbor and Detroit voters passed medical marijuana ordinances last
year. Traverse City, along with Ferndale, approved similar measures Tuesday.

Authorities, however, say such ordinances are virtually meaningless
because state and federal laws prohibit the use and sale of marijuana.

But resident Donal O'Leary III, who headed a petition drive to get
the issue on the ballot in Ferndale, said it is a step forward for
the residents.

"It protects the rights of citizens to use the medicine they need,"
he said. "It sends a message that the residents of Ferndale made a
statement ... that we do not want our neighbors prosecuted just for
using medicine they and their physicians agree is in their best interest."

Marijuana is often used to relieve the symptoms of serious illnesses
like AIDS and multiple sclerosis, and the effects of chemotherapy.

"If it helps people that are ill it's a good thing," said Ferndale
voter Scott Everhart, 38.

Resident Aaron Retish, 34, said he voted for medical marijuana.

"I understand this cannot be enforced because of the prohibition
under state and federal law," said Retish, a Wayne State University
professor. "So I voted for it as a political statement."

Mayor Robert Porter said the marijuana vote was about what he
expected. Though he said he supports having marijuana available for
patients who benefit from it, Porter said a city ordinance on the
issue is of little effect.

"Marijuana still cannot be legally sold or purchased in the city
under state and federal law," Porter said. "It's something of a moot
point. For something like this to be effective it needs to be
approved at a state and federal level."

Voters, by a mere 11 votes, boosted the mayor's pay from $700 a year
to $8,142. The pay rate was set with the City Charter in 1927 and has
never been raised -- until now.

The increase also included a pay adjustment every two years based on
the rate of inflation.

A proposal to increase the pay for City Council members from $500 a
year to $5,428 was defeated by 187 votes.

Porter and Councilman T. Scott Galloway, along with newcomer Tomika
Gumbleton, were all elected Tuesday after running unopposed.

Porter said there was a lot of support for increasing council pay
rates. But that was hampered by rising gas costs and opposition from
leaders of the city two police unions that are in negotiations with
the city for contracts.

"I think with us running unopposed there was not as much campaigning
and information getting out to the residents," Porter said.

Voters also shot down a proposal to eliminate the city Police and
Fire Board, which most officials agreed was redundant in the face of
City Council oversight of the departments and the Civil Service Board
established decades ago.

Only one candidate, Tiffani Gagne, for the newly established Library
Board was not elected. The board had two 6-year, two 2-year and three
4-year terms open.