M.D. Patterson has been collecting signatures now for three weeks, for a ballot referendum to bring cannabis dispensaries into Niles Township.
“It’s a no-brainer to do it, and I wanted to get it done, so I just acted as a lone wolf, ha ha!” Patterson laughed.
Niles Township board members elected to opt-out of Michigan’s program to allow dispensaries to set up shop within the township limits, whereas neighboring towns like Buchanan and Niles have allowed dispensaries, and have received over $450-thousand combined from excise taxes, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Patterson believes that kind of money could be used to help reinvigorate the township.