Recreational Marijuana was on the ballot this year for some areas in northern Michigan. In Wheatland township – that's in Mecosta county- and in the cities of Petoskey and Frankfort, the proposals failed. But in Grand Traverse County, Green Lake township voted yes.
Stephen Ezell is responsible for the voter initiative putting recreational Marijana on the ballot in the township. He owns the family-run medical dispensary Interlochen Alternative Health. He says his shop may not have survived if voters had not passed the proposal.
“Every rule favors the big guys, so it’s hard so it’s hard to survive as just a little independent shop, especially when your medical only I'd say it’s damn near impossible.” Said Ezell.
The proposal will allow the township two recreational marijuana retailers. Ezell says this could mean around 30 new jobs in the area and allow the township to receive revenue from all sales of recreational marijuana.