Green Township in central Michigan is engaged in a protracted legal battle with battery parts manufacturer Gotion Inc. Now it wants to use about $200,000 of Mecosta County’s marijuana excise tax revenue to pay for its legal bills.
Green Township Supervisor Jason Kruse submitted the township’s request for the funding on April 28, arguing the money was needed “to navigate complex legal matters effectively and uphold its duty to protect the health, welfare and safety of its residents.”
The $200,000 request, if granted, would represent about 29% of the $698,743 Mecosta County received from the state through a funding distribution formula that is in part based on how many marijuana retailers a given community hosts.
A central Michigan community engaged in a protracted legal battle with battery parts manufacturer Gotion Inc. wants to use about $200,000 of Mecosta County’s marijuana excise tax revenue to pay for its legal bills.
Green Township Supervisor Jason Kruse submitted the township’s request for the funding on April 28, arguing the money was needed “to navigate complex legal matters effectively and uphold its duty to protect the health, welfare and safety of its residents.”
The $200,000 request, if granted, would represent about 29% of the $698,743 Mecosta County received from the state through a funding distribution formula that is in part based on how many marijuana retailers a given community hosts.
The recipient of the grant money is left to the discretion of the board of commissioners.
Neither Kruse nor Mecosta County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Zimmerman returned messages seeking comment.
Signs opposing Gotion Inc.’s planned battery plant can be seen on the Green Township horse farm of Lori Brock on April 30, 2024. Green Township is in a protracted legal battle with the battery parts manufacturer over the company’s plans to build a sprawling plant on the outskirts of Big Rapids. The town wants to use about $200,000 of Mecosta County’s marijuana excise tax revenue to pay for its legal bills.
Gotion sued Green Township in March 2024 after the board — all of whom had been replaced in November 2023 with members concerned about the Gotion project — rescinded two resolutions needed for the project to move forward. Gotion sued in federal court for breach of contract, and a U.S. District court judge issued a preliminary ruling in Gotion’s favor.
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