Detroit Today: M.L. Elrick discusses Michigan’s medical marijuana licensing scandal
Former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson recently pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his actions as chairman on Michigan’s medical marijuana licensing board.
Last month, federal prosecutors announced that former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges stemming from his actions as chairman of the state’s medical marijuana licensing board. Prosecutors say he accepted over $100,000 in cash benefits while serving as chair of the board.
Johnson is one of four entering a plea deal, with each member agreeing to assist prosecutors in their ongoing investigation into the scheme.
Award-winning reporter M.L. Elrick joined Detroit Today to discuss the scandal and what it means for government transparency.
“There were concerns about medical marijuana licensing since it started and we now know… there was cash changing hands illegally.” — M.L. Elrick, reporter
Listen: M.L. Elrick talks Michigan’s medical marijuana licensing scandal
Guest
M.L. Elrick is a Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and host of the “ML’s Soul of Detroit podcast.” He says more has been unveiled about the medical marijuana corruption scandal in Lansing.
“There were concerns about medical marijuana licensing since it started and we now know from the prosecution and the plea deal… from the minute this medical marijuana licensing board got going, there was cash changing hands illegally,” says Elrick.
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