WEED

Cannabis jobs doubled in Michigan in the year 2020, and the growth in sales continues to build stronger.

NBA legend and Detroit’s own Chris Webber was back in town Tuesday for his latest business venture, a $50 million cannabis facility on 22nd Street in Corktown.

Cannabis smoking lounges, slow to open in Illinois since marijuana was legalized last year, are starting to get off the ground, as two have opened and more are planned across the state.

The newly-bred pink rose has been planted in the gardens at Windsor Castle to commemorate the duke.

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.

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.

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 they’re also working to make the marijuana industry more equitable for everyone. “Social equity has basically become a term of art in the cannabis industry,” 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 Pleasantrees’ social equity plan on their website here.

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. Friday’s vote would mark the first time a full chamber of Congress has taken up the issue of federally decriminalizing cannabis, NBC reports.

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. Friday’s 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.

WARREN, Mich. – A proposed settlement agreement is being voted on Tuesday by the Warren city council that would grant 28 licenses for marijuana provisioning centers. UPDATE: Marijuana settlement proposal rejected by Warren City CouncilAdditionally, the proposed settlement would dismiss a lawsuit filed by 31 applicants over the original selection process, which a judge said violated the Open Meetings Act. READ: Controversy continues over medical marijuana dispensaries licensing process in WarrenIf the proposal passes, Oz Cannabis would have the go-ahead with its massive project, which has revitalized a building that has sat vacant for nearly a decade. Back in 2019, the city of Warren decided to award 10 licenses for provisional marijuana centers. The Detroit City Council voted to unanimously approve an adult-use recreational marijuana ordinance also known as Chapter 20 of the 2019 Detroit City Code, which allows adult-use marijuana licensing in Detroit.

The bipartisan Clean Slate Package will automatically expunge some marijuana convictions, minor crimes and nonviolent felonies. Gilchrist joined Whitmer when she signed the Clean Slate package. “We made an estimate that it’s going to cost about $23-25 million to implement the Clean Slate automated expungement system," Gilchrist said. Whitmer on Monday alongside a number of House bills designed to automate the criminal record expungement process and expand eligibility criteria. More: New ‘Clean Slate’ laws to automate criminal record expungement process, expand eligibility criteria in Michigan

Some Michigan residents who have been convicted of a misdemeanor marijuana offense are now eligible to have that conviction set aside. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bills into law on Monday expanding eligibility requirements for criminal record expungement -- including for those with misdemeanor marijuana convictions. Marijuana offenses are eligible for expungement if they would not be considered illegal if committed after December 6, 2018, when recreational marijuana use became legal for adults in the state of Michigan. In 2018, Michigan voted to legalize recreational marijuana by an 11-point margin. More: New ‘Clean Slate’ laws to automate criminal record expungement process, expand eligibility criteria in Michigan

A corporate takeover of the marijuana industry in Michigan is creating concerns for those who rely on the plant for health benefits and more. Some people argue that corporate operations are working to cut out caregivers, who grow and sell marijuana to their medical patients. The Marijuana Regulatory Agency has cut a major supply chain of pot, which is affecting patients and business owners, who are experiencing a shortage. Patients are concerned that the battle between local and corporate operations and the shortage of some products might raise marijuana prices for those who need it most. Watch Hank Winchester’s full report in the video player above.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) announced Thursday new regulations for marijuana licensees to follow in accordance with the states reopening guidelines and stay-at-home order. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer divided the state into eight regions under her MI Safe Start Plan as the states economy begins to reopen amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Each region will execute a reopening plan tailored to whatever phase of the pandemic they are currently experiencing. Marijuana retail locations and provisioning facilities have remained open amid the pandemic as they have been considered essential under Whitmers executive orders. RELATED: Sales are booming for Michigan marijuana businesses during coronavirus pandemic

DETROIT – Authorities said they found about $1 million worth of marijuana at an illegal grow operation Thursday in Detroit. According to officials, the weed was discovered during a drug bust in the area of Irvington Street and East Seven Mile Road. When a search warrant was executed, the grow operation was found inside a building, and two trailers outside were also filled with marijuana, authorities said.

DETROIT – As of Dec. 6, 2018 it is legal to grow your own marijuana in the state of Michigan. Legal adults in Michigan are allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants inside their residence. If the caregiver is also a patient and has five patients, he or she can grow up to 72 marijuana plants. Michigan adopted its statutory definition of marijuana in the Public Health Code, utilizing the then current federal spelling, marihuana. An act of the Michigan Legislature would be required in order to change the spelling of marijuana in the Michigan statutes, such as the Public Health Code or the newer marijuana laws.

California community devastated by fast-moving wildfire Strong winds sent fire raging through the small California town of Weed on Tuesday. Firefighters evacuated the town as the massive blaze destroyed cars, buildings and over 100 homes. The brutal drought that has gripped the state has made conditions ripe for wildfire. John Blackstone reports.

9/16: California community devastated by fast-moving wildfire; Gun instructor's children send message to girl who accidentally killed their father Strong winds sent fire raging through the small California town of Weed on Tuesday. Firefighters evacuated the town as the massive blaze destroyed cars, buildings and over 100 homes; and, After a 9-year-old accidentally killed her gun instructor at an Arizona gun range, the instructor's children reached out and sent her an extraordinary message of kindness.