Jennifer Bowman

Battle Creek Enquirer

Five people have been appointed to the state of Michigan's newly created medical marijuana board, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Friday.

The board will be tasked with implementing the system that allows licensing of medical marijuana operations, such as dispensaries, processors, growers and transporters. It will be housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

License applications for such operations will be available by the end of the year.

This is Nattaly Brown. She's 7, has cancer and uses medical marijuana.

"This board will help provide the proper oversight of medical marihuana facilities to keep the public safe by ensuring proper health and safety standards are being met," Snyder said in a statement.

Battle Creek commissioners held discussions during a May 16 workshop on whether to allow medical marijuana operations in city limits. It's unclear if and when they'll take action on an ordinance.

► MORE: Marijuana dispensaries in B.C.? It would be 'a real learning curve,' city attorney says

Here's who was appointed to the board:

Rick Johnson of LeRoy, a former state representative and House speaker. He will serve as chairman. Johnson manages Common Cents Farm. He will represent Republicans. His term expires December 2019.

Nichole Cover of Mattawan, a licensed pharmacist and healthcare supervisor for Walgreens. Cover is chair of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy and previously was its representative on the Controlled Substance Advisory Commission. She will represent independents. Her term expires December 2018.

David LaMontaine of Monroe, a business agent and executive board member for the Police Officers' Association of Michigan. He is the House speaker's nominee and will represent Republicans. He is a former U.S. Marine, a police officer and hostage negotiator and detective. His term expires December 2019.

Donald Bailey of Traverse City, a retired Michigan State Police sergeant. He has more than 30 years of law enforcement and attended the Drug Enforcement Agency's Drug Unit Commanders Academy. He will represent Republicans. Bailey's term expires December 2020.

Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield Hills, president and CEO of The Pickard Group consulting firm. She was director of public policy at General Motors and president of the General Motors Foundation. Her term expires December 2020 and she will represent independents.

Contact government reporter Jennifer Bowman at 269-966-0589 or jbowman@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter: @jenn_bowman. Listen to the podcast she co-hosts, The Jump Page, at soundcloud.com/thejumppage.