Monroe Commissioner sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on marijuana charge

While Haisha acknowledged that this violates federal law, he noted that there is a clear trend at the federal level toward legalizing or at least reclassifying the substance. Michigan, he noted, legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2018 and Ohio in 2023.

Haisha argued for a lesser sentence than the recommended 30-37 months, arguing instead for probation or house arrest given Brant's clean record and written support from Bellino, Monroe County Deputy Administrator Aundrea Armstrong and Monroe County Administrator Michael Bosanac.

“The fact that he will be re-elected unopposed in the upcoming election despite this action speaks volumes about his standing in the community,” Haisha wrote.

In a letter written in June on official Michigan Senate stationery, Bellino said he has known Brant for about 25 years and considers him to be an honest family man.