Ann Arborโs Bloom City Club making Hash Bash donations to expungement nonprofit
โWhat Bloom City Club is doing is what makes Michiganโs cannabis industry so great--an industry of compassion, and dedication to building a better tomorrow,โ said GLEN President and Redemption Cannabis CEO Ryan Basore in a release.
City of Detroit opens applications for commercial adult-use marijuana business licensing
Detroit City Council voted anonymously to approve the opening of applications for limited adult-use licensing for commercial marijuana being sold within retail, microbusiness and as well as consumption in a lounge.
Judge halts recreational marijuana licensing in Detroit over โlikely unconstitutionalโ ordinance
A district court judge ruled Thursday to halt the granting of recreational marijuana licenses in the city of Detroit over an ordinance that allegedly favors certain Detroit residents over other applicants.
New York is latest state to legalize recreational marijuana
Passed after several years of stalled efforts, the measure makes New York the 16th state to legalize adult use of the drug, though South Dakotaโs measure is in legal limbo. New York becomes the second-most populous state, after California, to legalize recreational marijuana. Still, New Yorkers canโt smoke or vape marijuana in locations where smoking is prohibited by state law, including workplaces, indoor bars and restaurants and within 100 feet of a school. Legalization supporters say that itโs already easy for young adults to get pot and that thereโs no clear link between marijuana legalization and traffic accidents. The trade publication Marijuana Business Daily estimates New York could become the East Coast's largest recreational marijuana market โ generating a potential $2.3 billion in annual sales by its fourth year.
Parents say Girl Scouts were barred from selling cookies near Walled Lake marijuana shop, officials say otherwise
WALLED LAKE, Mich. โ Girl Scout troops in Metro Detroit were reportedly prohibited from selling cookies outside of a marijuana dispensary in Walled Lake, but local organization leaders say that the troops were given false information. Last weekend, Oakland County Girl Scouts were welcomed outside of the Greenhouse of Walled Lake cannabis store by owner Jerry Millen, who authorized the girls to sell cookies outside of his dispensary. Following their successful sales, several more Girl Scout troops asked Millen if they could also sell cookies outside of Greenhouse, which Millen approved. AdโGirl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) does not have a policy prohibiting troops from selling cookies at or near any legally operating business. The national Girl Scouts organization, Girl Scouts of the USA, does discourage troops from selling at locations where the girls cannot legally enter, however, there is no policy prohibiting selling at such businesses,โ the statement reads.
Michigan cannabis jobs doubled in 2020, report details
Cannabis jobs doubled in Michigan in the year 2020, and the growth in sales continues to build stronger. US cannabis jobs reportCannabis website Leafly released its 2021 jobs report this week, noting the United States added about 77,000 full-time jobs in the cannabis industry. AdThere is some very interesting data in here, such as consumer data showing who is spending the most on cannabis -- Generation X has the highest average monthly spend on cannabis:Leafly 2021 Jobs Reports (Leafly)Michigan cannabis jobs doubleRecreational cannabis jobs now span 37 states. Michigan is among the top 10 in terms of the number of jobs, jobs added in 2020 and cannabis sales in 2020:There are 18,078 legal cannabis jobs in Michigan -- 9,216 were added in 2020, a doubling. Legal sales began in late 2019, making 2020 the first full year of legal recreational cannabis sales in Michigan.
Michiganโs marijuana industry leaves people of color behind
The Marijuana Regulatory Agency collected data in December that showed 79% of people interested in ownership of licensed marijuana facilities were white. AdThe history of people of color being arrested and prosecuted for marijuana-related offenses makes them less likely to be given opportunities to participate in the industry, workgroup member and attorney Barton Morris said. The workgroup found that access to the necessary capital and information on operating marijuana businesses in accordance with rules set by municipalities are big barriers for people of color. The MRA could also establish a webinar and training sessions for municipalities to learn how to equitably create ordinances for marijuana businesses and share ideas. AdState Rep. Sarah Anthony, who is on the workgroup, said members plan to have those who come to communities to educate on the marijuana industry be reflective of those communities.
Michigan company aims to make cannabis industry more fair for all
Cannabis has become a multi-million dollar business in Michigan, but there is still a double standard when it comes to social equity in the industry. The Michigan company Pleasantrees is known for its cannabis products, but theyโre also working to make the marijuana industry more equitable for everyone. โSocial equity has basically become a term of art in the cannabis industry,โ said Jerome Crawford with Pleasantrees. The Michigan company is hiring more minorities like Crawford, an attorney who now oversees legal operations and social equity for Pleasantrees. AdYou can learn more about Pleasantreesโ social equity plan on their website here.
Michiganโs first certified organic cannabis company opens shop in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR โ In a town dense with cannabis dispensaries, it can be difficult to navigate the wide selection. But the newly-opened Apothecare Ann Arbor hopes to stand out from the crowd. It is Michiganโs first organic cannabis company, certified by Certified Kind, featuring 100% organic cannabis flower, concentrates and edibles. (Shanley Pearl)โWe are pleased and proud to finally debut our store and to showcase our unique organic cannabis products,โ co-owner Jack Edelstein said in a news release. Apothecare Ann Arbor features individual consultation stations.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor: No more charges in cannabis, psychedelic plant cases
Marijuana plants are pictured at the Baker's marijuana nursery at Baker Medical Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ANN ARBOR โ Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Tuesday that his office will no longer bring charges in cases related to marijuana or entheogenic plant use, possession or small-scale distribution. Today, Iโm pleased to announce that we'll no longer be charging cases related to marijuana or entheogenic plants (naturally occurring psychedelics). If Washtenaw Countyโs largest cityโs resolution decriminalized the use, growth and possession of psychedelic plants, the Prosecutorโs Office sees no point in bringing charges forward elsewhere in the county. For that reason, we will no longer be contesting expungement for marijuana or entheogenic-related offenses.โSee the full policy directives for cannabis and marijuana and entheogenic plants.
US House passes bill aimed at decriminalizing cannabis, clearing nonviolent federal convictions
The U.S House voted Friday to pass a bill that would decriminalize cannabis and clear the way to erasing nonviolent federal marijuana convictions. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, is aimed at decriminalizing cannabis (marijuana) and making it possible to erase nonviolent federal marijuana convictions. BREAKING: US House votes 228-164 to pass historic bill that would decriminalize cannabis and clear the way to erase nonviolent federal marijuana convictions; bill moves to US Senate. Related: UN agency removes cannabis from strictest drug categoryThis comes after more states voted to legalize recreational marijuana this past month. Fridayโs vote would mark the first time a full chamber of Congress has taken up the issue of federally decriminalizing cannabis, NBC reports.
Congress takes up โMORE Actโ aimed to decriminalize marijuana
The U.S. House is scheduled to vote Friday on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, which would decriminalize cannabis (marijuana) and make it possible to erase nonviolent federal marijuana convictions. UPDATE: US House passes bill aimed at decriminalizing cannabis, clearing nonviolent federal convictionsThe bill also aims to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. Related: UN agency removes cannabis from strictest drug categoryThis comes after more states voted to legalize recreational marijuana this past month. Fridayโs vote would mark the first time a full chamber of Congress has taken up the issue of federally decriminalizing cannabis, NBC reports. Medical marijuana has been legal in Michigan since 2008.
Former Ann Arbor dispensary employees sue, claiming wrongful termination
Three former employees at Om of Medicine have filed wrongful termination claims as their colleagues still working at the dispensary attempt to unionize. Conine, Omโs community outreach coordinator, said that staff were initially told that 4Front would preserve Omโs mission in serving the community, but at some point things began to change. In response, Omโs employees began the effort to unionize with the United Food Workers' cannabis division. The shop abruptly closed for the rest of the day, resulting in a picket by the three women and some current Om employees outside its Main St. location. When A4 reached out to Omโs local management for comment, they said they cannot comment publicly on specific employment and HR matters while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Cloud Cannabis to open Ann Arbor dispensary Monday
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Cloud Cannabis wants customers to โlive higher.โMichigan-based cannabis brand will open its Ann Arbor dispensary at 1760 Plymouth Rd on Monday, Oct. 19Co-founded by Chief Development Officer John McLeod, a former Detroit Police Department officer who credits cannabis with helping him quit opiates, the company approaches the cannabis industry with a patients-over-profit mantra. The Ann Arbor location will sell cannabis for both medical and recreational use through curbside services and aims to educate customers with individualized recommendations. (Cloud Cannabis)McLeod said the company wanted to open up an Ann Arbor dispensary due to the cityโs well-known forward and open approach with cannabis. The Ann Arbor location will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. To give back to the surrounding community, the cannabis brand is partnering with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.
First recreational marijuana dispensary opens in Ypsilanti
YPSILANTI, Mich. The first recreational marijuana dispensary has opened in Ypsilanti. Oz Cannabis, just outside of Depot Town in downtown Ypsilanti, is the first to receive both city and state approval as a marijuana retailer selling medical and adult-use (recreational) cannabis. Oz Cannabis founder, Nemer Haddad, a lifelong Detroit-area entrepreneur, says hes proud of the companys Ypsilanti location. In 2018, Michigan voted to legalize recreational marijuana by an 11-point margin. Related: Michigan voted to legalize marijuana in 2018, but many communities have opted out of salesMichigan regulators starting accepting license applications in late 2019 and are slowly working to activate them, in accordance with marijuana laws in the state.
Om of Medicine kicks off month-long celebration of advocacy
ANN ARBOR, Mich. Om of Medicine in downtown Ann Arbor is celebrating its 10-year anniversary throughout July with a concert, a comedy show, yoga and other programming. Om of Medicine Director of Community Outreach Lisa Conine said that the celebration was a way to mix the centers community engagement and celebrate its impacts within Ann Arbor. Om of Medicine is also a supporter of many Ann Arbor nonprofit organizations and projects including Food Gatherers, the Main Street Area Association, Prison Creative Arts Project, Cancer Support Community of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild, Ann Arbor Wellness Coalition and the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Currently, Om of Medicine can have 10 guests in its center at one time. For more information about the events hosted by Om of Medicine, visit https://omofmedicine.org/.
Liberty Ann Arbor to open Monday with Kick COVID to the Curb program
ANN ARBOR, Mich. On Monday, Ann Arbors latest cannabis provisioning center, Liberty Ann Arbor, will be holding its grand opening. The business will also be launching its Kick COVID to the Curb program, which is intended to help local restaurants around the provisioning center. Managed by Holistic Industries, the company intends to hold Liberty Cannabis Cares town halls and educational programs as well as offer a rewards program. To keep customers safe, Liberty Ann Arbor will limit in-store customers to four or five at a time and require masks and social distancing. Liberty Ann Arbor will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.