'Permit Patty' Leaves Own Company After Water Incident

Companies started saying they would no longer buy Alison Ettel's pot products
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 27, 2018 6:31 AM CDT

Alison Ettel gained a nickname and lost a job after threatening to call police on an 8-year-old black girl who was selling water without a permit in San Francisco. The Guardian reports that Ettel, who was dubbed "Permit Patty," has resigned from the cannabis company she founded in 2015. Internet sleuths quickly unmasked Ettel's identity after video of the incident emerged Saturday, and NBC News reports at least six companies that used TreatWell Health's marijuana tinctures severed their ties with the company. One such business says those products were some of its best-sellers, but it told the San Francisco Chronicle that it had discounted the products it had left in stock and wouldn't be reupping.

The client reaction led the company to bring on a crisis manager and release a statement announcing Ettel's resignation as CEO. Per the statement, the company is "deeply sorry ... it is Ms. Ettels' belief that TreatWell, its employees, and patients should not have to suffer because of a situation that occurred in an escalated moment. And she regrets her part and is remorseful." As for the supposed call to police, the SFPD confirms no call was received, backing up Ettel's story that she was only bluffing when making the supposed call. She told NBC News she was just asking the girl and her mom, who were stationed outside her apartment, to stop shouting. The girl's mom counters that "she never asked us to be quiet. She came out and directly demanded to see a permit to sell water from an 8-year-old." (More resignation stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X