Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — Jackson City Council approved a resolution declaring that investigations and arrests involving entheogenic plants (magic mushrooms, DMT, psilocybin, etc.) should be the lowest law enforcement priority within the city during their Tuesday meeting.
The resolution passed 4-2 (no votes from councilmembers Arlene Robinson and Freddie Dancy) after the council heard from residents both for and against it during citizen comment.
City Manager Jonathan Greene refuted the idea that the vote was a decriminalization of entheogenic plants to WKHM.
The citizen comment portion of the meeting also featured multiple residents and local business owners speaking out about the newly enforced parking ordinances.
An item was added to the agenda so that enforcement would no longer take place on Saturdays, and the enforcement period is now shortened from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. instead of lasting until 6:00 p.m.
City Manager Greene said that this was the council willing to make changes after making a decision, but did acknowledge that this will not satisfy everyone.
When asked about the hypothetical of a citizen parking downtown for a coffee in the morning, leaving shortly after, and returning later in the afternoon (after more than 2 hours), Greene confirmed that this person would need to obtain a permit or day pass in order to avoid risk of the raised fees for parking violations.
Other changes to the parking ordinances that were approved were lowering the cost of a daily pass from $10 to $7, Lot 3 (north of the YMCA) becoming free to park at and the creation of a shared parking permit for up to three vehicles.
A Change.org petition asking the city to reconsider these new downtown parking rules received more than 1,600 signatures leading up to Tuesday’s meeting.
A full recording of the December 16 Jackson City Council meeting can be accessed by clicking here or on the city’s website.