In Thursday morning's meeting at the Mecosta County Services Building, the board of commissioners approved the proposed allocations for the county's marijuana excise tax.

The vote was in favor by a count of four to one, with Chair Chris Zimmerman, Gary Lambrix, Jeff Jackson, and Tom O'Neil voting yes. Bill Routley voted no. Commissioner Chris Jane did not vote, as he resigned from the position last week in opposition of how the funds would be used.

Before the vote, the commission saw a vast number of citizens at the meeting. Many citizens even chose to make a public comment on the issue, pleading their case for why the county should or should not allocate funds towards Green Charter Township. 

"The county's claim that a large amount of Green Township supported this lawsuit," said Lauren McCarver, a Grant Township resident. "If that is the case, I would ask that Green Township citizens raise the funds for attorney fees, rather than taking from organizations that are more than deserving of the money. However, Green Township set up a GoFundMe and still couldn't make the money. That shows me that their community doesn't back them as much as they say."

"There are a handful of Gotion activists out there who've been very vocal about their to awarding MET funds to Green Charter Township," said Jason Kruse, Green Township Supervisor. "If awarded, the MET funds will help defray some of the legal costs incurred by Green Charter Township for a fight that we never asked for and didn't want."

“I think the bottom line to me is we have morphed into a discussion about Gotion or No Gotion. That is for another meeting,” said March Punches, a Big Rapids resident. “These people are here because we are concerned about the unethical use of MET funds. The bottom line is that those funds are supposed to be directed to an established, certified NPO (non-profit organization). I'm sorry but Green Charter Township cannot, in anyway, become an NPO.”

Signs and gatherings outside the county building, as early as 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning, were seen in protest of the county's decision regarding the allocations.

Green Charter Township will receive up to $193,987 from the MET funds for lawsuit payments. To see other organizations and allocations, click HERE.