Organizers of the Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats and Eats festival in the Detroit area have announced key highlights for this year's four-day event over Labor Day weekend, including the return of the House of Dank cannabis sales and consumption area.
This year, the festival marks the beginning of a collaboration between House of Dank and Baker College, launching an educational certificate program aimed at preparing students for employment in the legal cannabis industry.
House of Dank and the Arts, Beats and Eats festival, held in Royal Oak, Oakland County, gained national attention last year for introducing cannabis sales and consumption at the event.
Mike DiLaura, Chief Corporate Operations Officer and General Counsel for House of Dank, emphasized the uniqueness of this initiative. "Nobody has done anything like this across the country," DiLaura stated. He noted that this year's secure cannabis area would also host some celebrities.
At a recent press conference in Royal Oak, DiLaura announced, "We will work with Baker College on their new cannabis programs. There are all sorts of jobs up and down this industry."
The cannabis industry, encompassing both recreational and medical sectors, is valued at several billion dollars.
Kelley Suggs, Public Relations Manager for Baker College, which has a campus on South Lafayette, revealed that the college will offer three certificate programs in cannabis retail, cultivation, and product development. "As the cannabis industry continues growing at an unprecedented rate, the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever," Suggs said. She highlighted that the partnership with House of Dank aims to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Event producer Jon Witz underscored the significance of the city- and state-approved cannabis area, noting it was the first of its kind at such a large-scale event. "You could not smell the cannabis smoke," Witz explained. "People who wanted to enjoy the product could, and those who didn't, didn't know it was there." Witz praised House of Dank for bringing "one of the most creative activations" to the festival.
Witz also shared a personal testament to cannabis use, explaining that he opted for cannabis over prescription narcotic painkillers following a serious bicycling accident last year, which resulted in 10 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and other injuries.
The festival will announce its headlining musical acts in late July, with Witz adding that the event will feature 150 local bands.
Last year, the festival attracted 345,000 attendees and raised over $386,000 for local charitable organizations. David Woodward, Chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and a Royal Oak resident, acknowledged the festival's positive impact. "The county has been a steadfast supporter of Arts, Beats and Eats," he said. "Arts, Beats and Eats has generated $7.3 million for community and charitable groups since it began."
While Witz did not reveal the headlining acts for this year's festival, he hinted cryptically during a TV interview that one of the headliners "resembles what I'm doing now," while looking into the camera.
In a surprising and somewhat cautionary tale, Michigan YouTuber "Road Trip Rolls" embarked on a journey to consume 500mg of cannabis edibles and then play a full round of golf. Known for combining cannabis and golf on his channel, Road Trip Rolls is a high-tolerance cannabis user and a reasonably skilled golfer, at least from what his videos suggest. His content predominantly features him golfing under the influence.
By the time he produced his most recent video, he had already tackled challenges such as the 250mg edible challenge and the "One Bong Hit=One Mulligan" challenge. This latest endeavor, however, aimed to double his previous edible consumption to 500mg before attempting to complete a full round of golf.
Road Trip Rolls set an ambitious goal: to play a sub-90 game while under the influence of 500mg of edibles, a dosage he humorously claims could "take down a bull elephant." His previous 250mg episode ended impressively, but the 500mg challenge was poised to be his most daunting yet.
The episode begins with a visit to Lume Dispensary in Kalkaska, Michigan, where he stocks up on snacks. He then heads to Grandview Golf Club, ready to keep his score as close to 90 as possible. Before even starting his round, he consumes 200mg of edibles. By the 8th hole, he reaches the 500mg mark, already shooting +10.
The feat is astonishing. Despite the heavy dosage, Road Trip Rolls manages to remain standing and continues to play. The back nine proves more challenging, but he ultimately completes the round.
Whether he achieves his goal of a sub-90 game remains a mystery to those who haven't watched the episode, which can be viewed below.
[youtube=IvixCNIOrNM]
Waterford Township currently hosts three cannabis outlets and has approved licenses for three additional ones. Among these new enterprises is DNVK 1, which has encountered delays in opening its medical marijuana provisioning center at 2460 Dixie Highway.
Despite being granted an extension last October to ensure the site would be construction-ready by December 31st, 2023, and completed by this month, DNVK 1 has faced significant obstacles. The company has applied for a two-year extension for the demolition and construction phases, citing difficulties in gaining access to the property.
The property, known as the Sherwood Motel, has been functioning as an apartment building. DNVK 1's co-founder, Marvin Karana, explained in an appeal that the owner has struggled to lawfully and timely vacate and evict tenants from the premises.
Supporting DNVK 1's extension request, Sherwood Motel owner Mehangkumar Patel indicated that it would take a minimum of four months to issue 30-day notices to the tenants and proceed with the necessary District Court actions.
Waterford Township trustees are scheduled to discuss this issue further during a study session at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 24th, in Conference Room 3-2 of the township hall. This will be followed by a business meeting at 6 p.m. in the township hall auditorium located at 5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. The full agenda for the meeting is available online here.
In a significant legal development, Ryan Richmond, a businessman from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for tax evasion, failure to file tax returns, and obstruction of an IRS audit. Richmond, the owner and operator of Relief Choices LLC, a cannabis dispensary in Warren, Michigan, was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme to conceal the true extent of his business's income through cash transactions and third-party credit card payments.
U.S. District Judge Linda V. Parker for the Eastern District of Michigan handed down the prison sentence, emphasizing the severity of Richmond's financial misconduct. In addition to the prison term, Richmond was ordered to serve one year of supervised release following his incarceration and to pay $2,777,684 in restitution to the IRS.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Richmond directed Relief Choices to conduct significant financial transactions in cash and routed credit card payments through unrelated third-party bank accounts. These actions were intended to obscure the business's gross receipts and evade regulatory scrutiny.
Richmond's legal troubles stemmed from his deliberate failure to report Relief Choices' substantial earnings on his personal tax returns for the years 2012 through 2014. This omission deprived the IRS of significant tax revenue and highlighted the extent of his financial deception.
The situation worsened for Richmond when he obstructed an IRS audit in 2015 and 2016. Court records indicate that Richmond misled auditors by downplaying his involvement in Relief Choices and misrepresenting the business's profits. This obstruction impeded the IRS's efforts to uncover the truth and compounded Richmond's legal issues.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department's Tax Division highlighted the case's importance, reaffirming the government's commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in tax evasion schemes. This case underscores the government's stance that financial misconduct will be met with severe consequences.
The investigation into Richmond's activities was led by IRS Criminal Investigation, demonstrating the agency's dedication to combating financial fraud. Trial Attorneys Mark McDonald and Christopher P. O'Donnell from the Justice Department's Tax Division prosecuted the case, showcasing the collaborative efforts of regulatory and legal bodies to ensure justice is served.
Ryan Richmond's sentencing serves as a powerful reminder of the severe consequences of financial deceit and tax evasion. As regulatory agencies intensify their efforts to combat financial crimes, individuals engaging in illicit schemes must be prepared to face significant repercussions. Transparency and compliance with tax laws are essential to maintaining the integrity of the financial system and protecting public trust.
The Vlasic Classic Charity Golf mixer recently celebrated its second annual event in Missouri, hosted by Vlasic Labs. This year's 18-hole tournament saw participation from 27 teams and over 100 attendees, including advocates and legislators from Missouri and beyond. The event, held at the Old Kinderhook Golf Club in the Lake of the Ozarks, successfully raised $43,000 for the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding individuals imprisoned for cannabis-related offenses. These funds will support legal efforts, reentry programs, and advocacy aimed at reintegrating these individuals into society.
Following the Missouri tournament's success, Vlasic Classic has announced its next event, which will take place at St. John's Resort in Michigan from August 16-18. "As Vlasic Labs prepares for the Michigan Vlasic Classic, the company is committed to continuing its tradition of philanthropy and community support," the company stated. The upcoming event aims to build on the momentum of the Missouri outing, further supporting the Last Prisoner Project and highlighting the shared values of the Vlasic family and their partners.
Vlasic Labs, known for its hemp-based wellness products including tinctures, topicals, and gummies, was co-founded in 2019 by Rick Vlasic and his son Willy. The brand continues the Vlasic family legacy of honest branding and community involvement. The family's history of philanthropy dates back to before World War II when Joseph Vlasic revolutionized milk delivery in the Midwest. His son Robert later established the iconic Vlasic Pickles brand and donated significant funds to institutions such as the Henry Ford Health System, the Michigan Humane Society, and the University of Michigan.
Rick Vlasic has expanded the family's innovative spirit into the cannabis wellness industry, driven by the same principles of quality, consistency, and value that made Vlasic Pickles a household name. The upcoming Michigan Vlasic Classic is anticipated to further these values, combining community engagement with philanthropic efforts.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is set to host a drive-through cannabis lockbox giveaway on Saturday, June 22nd from 11am to 2pm. This event will take place at the main entrance of the BEDHD Charlotte Office, located at 1033 Health Care Dr. Charlotte, MI 48813. Residents of Eaton County can drive up to receive a free cannabis lockbox, with no questions asked and no personal information collected. It is important to note that State of Michigan employees are not eligible for this giveaway.
This initiative is funded through a grant from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Cannabis Regulatory Agency, via the Marihuana Operation and Oversight Grants for Counties for Eaton County. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP), which is part of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, administers the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act passed by voters in 2008. Additionally, the Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force (BCSATF) is also a recipient of these grants for Barry County.
Even though medical and recreational cannabis are legal in Michigan, it remains crucial for community members to secure their cannabis to prevent accidental access. Lockboxes are an effective way for adults to keep cannabis products out of reach of children and pets, who are at risk of adverse health effects from accidental ingestion. A national study published in the journal Pediatrics highlighted a sharp increase in such incidents, with reported cases of accidental consumption of cannabis edibles by children under six rising from just over 200 in 2017 to 3,054 in 2021—a staggering increase of 1,375%. Utilizing cannabis lockboxes can significantly reduce these risks, ensuring community safety while supporting the medicinal use of cannabis in Eaton County.
For further information about cannabis, you can visit the BEDHD website at barryeatonhealth.org/marijuana. If you have any questions about the lockbox giveaway event or the Marihuana Operation and Oversight Grant, please contact Emily Smale using the information provided below.
Additionally, the Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force will be distributing lockboxes at another event on June 22nd, from 10am to 1pm, at the Barry County Community Mental Health parking lot located at 500 Barfield Dr. Hastings, MI 49058.
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