Pontiac medical marijuana efforts move forward – The Oakland Press

Next month marks four years since voters opened the door in Pontiac to medical marijuana. But not one business has opened since then. That could change soon.

Voters approved allowing up to 20 marijuana dispensaries and an unlimited number of processors, growers, safety compliance facilities and secured transporters.

The decision created a series of tasks for the city council to update zoning rules, create districts, and determine which businesses would get permits. Then-council president Kermit Williams told The Oakland Press, “The city is proceeding as if the 60-day clock to start issuing applications has begun. We’re going through the process now in order to determine what they’ll look like.”

City officials ultimately received 116 applications for permits.

But progress repeatedly stalled because of infighting among members of the city council and with former mayor Dierdre Waterman, and foot-dragging by those players and others to implement the will of the people. The city council and mayor racked up thousands in legal fees fighting over separation of powers, and the council’s ability to draft proposed ordinances and adopt resolutions.

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