Questions arise over possible special treatment for marijuana license

State licensing records show that American Securities Integrated in Webberville was licensed as a transporter for Michigan’s cannabis market earlier this year. Those records also listed Webberville Mayor Brad Hitchcock’s daughter, Lynsey Hitchcock, as the registered owner.

U.S. Department of Transportation records also listed the mayor’s home on Gramer Road — which is also adjacent to the Hitchcock family trucking business — as the registered address for the company, its two vehicles and four drivers. It’s unclear if the companies are directly related.

Village officials told City Pulse earlier this year that a moratorium on marijuana-related businesses in the village had prevented applicants (aside from Primitiv and C3 Industries) from seeking licensure for marijuana-related business ventures within the village or its business park.

Records also show that the Village Council voted in January to briefly lift that moratorium and approve American Securities Integrated for licensure. The mayor abstained from the vote, presumably to avoid the appearance of conflicting interests. The rest of the Council approved it.

The Council voted to reinstate that marijuana moratorium at its next meeting in February, which again prevents additional applications from being accepted for marijuana businesses.

Neither Brad and Lynsey Hitchcock nor any Village Council member returned calls for this story. Former Councilman James Greene, who voted to license Lynsey Hitchcock’s business earlier this year, became combative with a City Pulse reporter when questioned about his vote.

“Maybe I did something wrong. Maybe I didn’t understand what I was doing. Was I supposed to deny the application because it came from the mayor’s daughter?” Greene asked City Pulse. “I tried to make a positive impact on the village. The more I talk to you, the more frustrated I get.”

Officials at C3 Industries also confirmed that American Securities Integrated had “briefly” helped distribute products for the company, though they maintain that business relationship has ended. It’s unclear if the company also worked with cultivators at Primitiv; calls there weren’t returned.

Added one local businessman: “If you’re not part of the Good Ol’ Boy network, you’re not getting anywhere. That’s what’s different about Webberville. If you’re not in that club, just leave town.”