An Eastpointe resident has been asking one question since approval of the city’s recreational cannabis ordinance in March: why allow marijuana dispensaries to be open until midnight when the businesses requested an 11 p.m. closing time.

Jennifer Nicholas has posed that question to Councilwoman Margaret Podsiadlik, who made the motion to extend the hours to midnight during a March 4 city council meeting, then again during audience participation at every subsequent city council meeting.

To date, Nicholas has received public answers from council members Cardi DeMonaco Jr. and Harvey Curley, who both explained their reasons for supporting the motion,  but very pointedly not from Podsiadlik herself.

Podsiadlik did not say if she ever plans to respond to Nicholas either during a city council meeting or privately, but said she did not view her motion as anything out of the ordinary.

“I made a motion and it passed,” said Podsiadlik. “There is nothing nefarious about my motion.

“I’m trying to encourage businesses to come to our city and I don’t have any ulterior motives.”

Nicholas said she plans to ask the question again at the next Eastpointe City Council meeting and plans to keep asking until Podsiadlik answers her directly.

Podsiadlik pointed out there are marijuana facilities that are open 24 hours and that she did not propose anything “extreme” like that for Eastpointe.

While there are some dispensaries open 24 hours including Gramz in Romeo, it is more common to see closing times between 9-11 p.m. depending on the day of the week.  Mint Cannabis and King of Budz in Roseville both close at 9 p.m. as does House of Dank in Center Line. Quality Roots in Madison Heights and 420 Dank in Detroit both close at 10 p.m. while Puff Cannabis and Jars Cannabis Utica locations are open until midnight.

“As far as I can see there are no dispensaries in southern Macomb County or Detroit that are open past 10 p.m. which makes Eastpointe the only city in the area with dispensaries that are open that late and that will bring late-night consumers from other cities,” said Nicholas. “It’s irresponsible, being that we are a high crime city, next to an even higher crime part of Detroit, and it’s obviously not necessary — business is booming regardless of the hours.”

Nicholas accused Podsiadlik of a “bait and switch” because during the first read of the ordinance she supported the original wording allowing for retail businesses to be open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, then made her midnight motion at the 11th hour.

Podsiadlik said her motion was meant to give Eastpointe cannabis businesses an edge over neighboring cities.

“Ms. Nicholas’ question has been answered numerous times, but she doesn’t like the idea of marijuana facilities in our city,” Podsiadlik said. “I also don’t think Ms. Nicholas cares for me.”

Nicholas questions Podsiadlik’s motives for staying mum on her reasons for making the midnight motion and ensuring Eastpointe dispensaries can stay open later than those in surrounding cities.

“I would think if this is a great business move for the city, she would be more than happy to share the good news with residents — at a council meeting and on the record,” Nicholas said.

None of the three Eastpointe medical marijuana dispensaries that were awarded licenses in 2022 are open yet. In order to be able to convert to recreational cannabis licenses, the three businesses have a Dec. 31 deadline to be open and operational as a medical marijuana dispensary.

Holistic Health Wayne at 21145 Gratiot Avenue and  Moses Roses, located at 17375 Eight Mile Road both anticipate opening on or before the deadline according to city building director John Meyers. Common Citizen at 24545 Gratiot Avenue is awaiting city council approval of a revised site plan before committing to a timeline for opening. The city’s recreational ordinance also provides for one additional license in addition to the three conversion licenses for the facilities originally licensed as medical cannabis dispensaries.