Waterford board reopens window for two medical marihuana provisioning-center applications after 4–3 vote

The Charter Township of Waterford Board of Trustees voted 4–3 on Monday to reopen the application period for up to two additional medical marihuana provisioning-center licenses, rescinding a 2023 decision that had closed new applications.

The resolution, which the board set to allow the clerk to accept applications starting April 6, 2026, passed with Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta, Treasurer Steve Thomas, Trustee Jeff Gilbert and Trustee Gary Wall voting in favor; Clerk Kimberly Markee, Trustee Sam Harris and Trustee Marie E. Hauswirth opposed the measure.

The vote capped a prolonged debate that began during an extended public-comment segment. Opponents included residents, the Waterford School District Board of Education (whose statement was read aloud by Clerk Kimberly Markee), and representatives of existing cannabis retailers who warned the board that the local market is saturated.

In an email read at the meeting, resident and school-board member Mike Ristich urged trustees to reject the proposal, arguing that Waterford already has sufficient access to marihuana products and citing academic studies he said link dispensary density to greater youth use and local negative externalities. "To put it neatly, we would be on track for one weed shop per ten thousand residents," his statement read.

Trustee Marie E. Hauswirth, who opposed the reopening, framed her objections around youth and public-safety concerns and fiscal risk. "I recommend we maintain the current cap of four dispensaries, strengthen buffers and operational safeguards," she said, citing data and national studies she said show adolescent harms and traffic-safety risks.

Supporters of reopening the application period said local regulation and enforcement reduce those theoretical risks and noted the township already manages zoning, licensing and compliance. Trustee Gary Wall, who voted in favor, said his review of recent local data showed no increase in traffic incidents or sales-to-minors violations tied to the four existing establishments. "There hasn’t been an increase in traffic jams or accidents," Wall said, and he told the board that enforcement and inspection stings had not produced evidence of sales to minors.

Board members also debated process. Trustee Harris unsuccessfully moved to table consideration until a work session and wider public outreach could be arranged; that motion failed on a 4–3 roll call with the same alignments. Harris said staff workload and the timing of two upcoming elections warranted further study and public engagement.

The resolution directs the township attorney to prepare a provisioning-center application form for the clerk to accept applications and requires applicants to file a concurrent planning-division application under the zoning ordinance. It also states the township will not accept applications for growers, processors, safety compliance facilities or secure transporters under the current opening.

Next steps: the clerk’s office will publish the application form for Board consideration on Feb. 23, 2026, and accept submissions beginning April 6, 2026, as specified by the adopted resolution.