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Outgoing mayor of Pontiac appoints herself to Medical Marijuana Commission

Medical marijuana ordinances were passed in 2018. So why is it taking so long to approve licenses?

PONTIAC, Mich. – Voters in Pontiac passed medical marijuana ordinances in 2018, but owners are still waiting for licenses to be approved and dispensaries to open.

One of the big reasons for the delay was on public display on Tuesday (Nov. 9). A public meeting of the marijuana commission broke down before it even began.

The Pontiac Interim City Clerk posted the notice about Tuesday’s meeting in the clerk’s office. Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Waterman said he was supposed to post it on the city’s website. He said that’s her job. Several people showed up for a meeting that lasted six minutes.

Moments after swearing-in three members of Pontiac’s Medical Marijuana Commission who were appointed by the mayor, and included the mayor, it ended because of advice of counsel. It was believed the meeting was in violation of the Open Meetings Act. Which angered the few people who did show up.

Update: Lawyer: Outgoing Pontiac mayor can’t serve on marijuana commission

Michael Stein is an attorney representing clients who have been trying to get through the medical marijuana process in the city for three years. He said Pontiac may be the worst he’s seen at implementing the process. Stein said he’s looking forward to the next administration in the hopes it will afford a better work environment.

Waterman said mayoral appointments last four years and she plans to keep serving on the committee and see the process through.

Watch the video above for the full report.


About the Authors
Jason Colthorp headshot

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

Kayla Clarke headshot

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

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