Parents of three preteens from McMonagle Elementary School in Mount Morris Township are seeking answers following an incident where their children were hospitalized after consuming gummies allegedly containing cannabis. The affected students, two aged 12 and one aged 11, reportedly ate the gummies unknowingly, which were purportedly provided by a classmate.
The incident occurred on Tuesday around 1:30 p.m., according to Mt. Morris Township Police. The students claimed they were unaware that the gummies contained cannabis. Initially, police reported the girls' ages as 13, but parents confirmed they were younger.
Rita Williams, the grandmother of the 11-year-old, voiced her concerns, emphasizing the need for open communication within the school. "I'm concerned not only about my 11-year-old grandchild, I'm concerned about all of the kids," Williams stated. "That's what we first should start at; opening up the line of communication."
Prennicea Horton, mother of one of the 12-year-olds, recalled her shock upon receiving a call from the school. "I got a call saying to come get my kid because my kid is stoned," Horton said. "My first thought was how is my kid stoned, my kid is at school."
When Horton arrived at the school, alongside Mia Thomas, mother of the 11-year-old, and Misha Thomas, the child's aunt, they found the girls lethargic and unable to walk properly, with elevated heart rates. "My daughter is traumatized from this," Horton added.
Misha Thomas described the harrowing scene: "The image is still in my head. I hate this for her. To be 11-years-old, to even go through that, is a traumatic situation, period."
The Mt. Morris Township Police Department confirmed that all three girls exhibited signs of lethargy and appeared disoriented. They reported that the students claimed to have received the gummies from another student who denied any knowledge of the incident.
The parents called 911 as their children showed adverse effects and were subsequently taken to Hurley Medical Center. They expressed frustration over previous similar incidents at the school, stating that adequate measures were not taken to prevent recurrence.
"Not the first time at all, and the right protocol has not been taken, that is what upsets me the most," Horton remarked. Mia Thomas, the mother of the 11-year-old, added, "From my understanding, this is not the child's first time bringing it to the school. It should have never happened a second time, let alone the first time; the first time it should have resulted in expulsion or something, but obviously nothing because this time it affected my child."
Police reported not finding any gummies on the student accused of providing them, leaving the source of the gummies unclear.
In response, Westwood Heights Schools issued a statement urging parents to discuss the dangers of consuming adult substances with their children. The statement read in part, "We want to take this opportunity to remind all parents to talk with their children about the dangers of consuming medications and other substances designed for adults. Open communication about these risks is crucial in preventing such incidents in the future… Please be assured that this incident is still under investigation, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our students."
The trust between families and the school is now in question. Williams noted, "I'm not here to try and bash, I just need you to listen and talk to me, that's all I need."
As the investigation continues, all involved students have been asked not to return to school.
Early Sunday morning, three men were apprehended following a break-in at the TruLeaf Dispensary in the Village of Lawrence. A fourth suspect remains at large, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office.
The incident began around 3:30 a.m. when the dispensary's owner observed several individuals inside the building via surveillance footage. Authorities were promptly notified, and deputies arrived on the scene to find multiple suspects attempting to carry bags of cannabis and other products out of the facility.
Upon spotting the deputies, the suspects retreated back into the building. Three of them then exited through an unmonitored door and fled into the nearby woods.
Law enforcement managed to apprehend the first suspect as he attempted to reach a getaway vehicle. A second suspect was found hiding inside the dispensary. The third suspect was initially spotted walking along I-94 near County Road 681 before disappearing into the woods. He was later seen walking north along the same highway and was subsequently taken into custody.
The suspects, aged between 18 and 23, are all residents of the Battle Creek area. They now face multiple charges including burglary, forced entry, larceny in a building, possession of burglary tools, and resisting and obstructing police. The vehicle used in the crime was identified as stolen from Battle Creek.
Efforts to locate the fourth suspect are ongoing. The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 269-657-3101 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has once again partnered with Metrc, securing them as the vendor for Michigan's statewide cannabis monitoring system. This decision follows a thorough bidding process where the CRA evaluated potential vendors on the cost of service and their capability to meet all administrative requirements. A critical aspect of the evaluation was the bidders' ability to prevent fraud, abuse, and other unlawful activities within Michigan's commercial cannabis industry, along with providing tools for the effective administration and enforcement of regulations.
Initially, the CRA entered into a contract with Metrc on May 12th, 2017. The agreement was structured as a two-year contract with the option to extend it annually for up to five additional years. The newly signed contract, effective from May 7th, 2024, extends for five years with five one-year extension options available upon its conclusion.
Metrc, a prominent player in the cannabis tracking industry, is currently involved in 24 government contracts and serves over 400,000 users. These users include growers, testing facilities, dispensaries, state regulators, and law enforcement officials. Metrc's system integrates advanced software, radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, a dedicated customer support team, and a secure database to meticulously track cannabis throughout its lifecycle—from growth and harvest to processing, testing, transport, and sale.
Since its implementation in Michigan in 2018, Metrc has monitored more than 1.6 billion events and recorded over $9.7 billion in sales through its system. The company's comprehensive tracking capabilities have been instrumental in ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining the integrity of Michigan's cannabis market.
Michigan's cannabis industry is pushing Congress to address a growing challenge posed by a loophole in federal legislation. The 2018 Farm Bill inadvertently created a "Farm Bill loophole" by making hemp-derived THC federally legal. This loophole has allowed operators in states where cannabis remains illegal to produce and distribute products that mimic those made with full-THC cannabis, bypassing regulations in states like Michigan and shipping these products nationwide.
As Congress debates the new Farm Bill, a $1.5 trillion package that sets agricultural and food policy for the next five to six years, the future of this loophole hangs in the balance. The outcome will determine whether the loophole will be closed or remain open. The hemp-derived market, which includes non-intoxicating CBD products such as gummies and creams for sleep and pain relief, is estimated to be worth $28 billion and supports 328,000 jobs in the U.S., according to Whitney Economics, a cannabis industry analysis firm based in Oregon.
The debate pits hemp farmers from states like Indiana, who rely on the growing hemp industry, against regulated cannabis industries in states like Michigan.
Since Michigan's recreational cannabis sales began in late 2019, the state's industry has seen significant growth. However, many in the industry are advocating for the prohibition or strict regulation of hemp-derived THC products. They argue that the current situation allows untested products to be sold in convenience stores and online, often to minors.
"Exploitation of a Farm Bill loophole has created a market for intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids to be sold untested, often to minors," said Lance Boldrey, a partner at Detroit-based law firm Dykema Gossett PLLC, who helped design Michigan's cannabis legalization framework. "These products, marketed with marijuana strain names and similar effects, can be produced far more cheaply than regulated cannabis, impacting Michigan's regulated market."
The 2018 Farm Bill de-scheduled hemp as a controlled substance, allowing any cannabinoid derived from hemp—defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC—to be sold without federal intervention. This has enabled the creation of products that offer the same psychoactive effects as traditional cannabis but are not subject to the same stringent regulations.
For instance, Massachusetts-based Cantrip distributes hemp-derived THC drinks to 39 states thanks to the Farm Bill. In Michigan, hemp-derived THC is regulated like traditional cannabis-derived THC and is only sold in licensed dispensaries. However, consumers can still order similar products online from out-of-state companies, which face no oversight regarding product testing.
Dave Morrow, chair of Lume Cannabis Co., Michigan's largest cannabis operator, emphasized the need for regulation and testing of all THC products. "We're not anti-hemp or anti-hemp-derived cannabis, but all THC products need to be regulated and tested," Morrow said. "Unregulated products could harm consumers and damage the entire THC market."
Mike DiLaura, chief of corporate operations and general counsel for Madison Heights-based House of Dank, noted that the Farm Bill loophole undermines the state's legal market and introduces unsafe products. "Safe, tested products are the bedrock of our industry, and regulating intoxicating hemp furthers that goal," DiLaura said.
Online retailers like Oklahoma City-based Mood offer hemp-derived THC gummies for delivery to Michigan addresses, with minimal age verification. This practice, though technically banned by Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), continues due to the products traveling through the federal mail system.
While Lume Cannabis Co. advocates for regulations rather than closing the loophole, they see potential business opportunities in hemp-derived THC. Lume recently launched Buzzn, a THC beverage sold only in Michigan dispensaries, but they are considering opening a canning operation in another state to distribute hemp-derived THC beverages nationwide.
Congress is currently debating revisions to the Farm Bill, with competing interests lobbying for different outcomes regarding the loophole. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, a Republican from Illinois, has proposed an amendment to exclude products with THC from protection, which would benefit state-regulated cannabis operators.
The U.S. Cannabis Council supports closing the loophole to create regulatory parity and facilitate eventual federal legalization of all THC products. However, others worry that banning all ingestible hemp products with any THC would eliminate most hemp products, including non-intoxicating CBD products.
With the Farm Bill's extension running through September, Congress must resolve this issue in the coming months.
butter is set to host "Cannabis and Canines," a dog adoption and fundraiser event in collaboration with Rebel Dogs Detroit. The event will take place on Saturday, June 1st, from 11 AM to 3 PM at butter Berkley. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet adoptable dogs and enjoy special offers throughout the day.
Rebel Dogs Detroit is a no-kill rescue organization dedicated to providing shelter for abandoned and abused dogs throughout the Detroit metro area. The group also offers support and resources for both prospective and current pet owners, focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming for dogs in need.
Event attendees who find their perfect pet can submit adoption applications on-site. Successful adopters will receive a curated adoption basket, which includes butter apparel, pet accessories, gifts from local businesses, and exclusive offers for cannabis products suitable for both pets and humans from Vlasic Labs and Wyld.
For those not ready to adopt, there are other ways to contribute. Participants can sign up for volunteer opportunities with Rebel Dogs Detroit and receive exclusive offers from butter and its partner brands. The event will also feature a raffle fundraiser with prizes from local businesses, with all proceeds going to Rebel Dogs Detroit.
butter will be accepting donations of new or gently-used items from Rebel Dogs' wishlist, which includes puppy and adult dog food, toys, treats, and more.
butter is committed to building a better world through social equity and investing in local initiatives. By supporting organizations like Rebel Dogs Detroit, butter aims to foster stronger communities.
The Detroit Cannabis Project (DCP) is hosting the Kalamazoo Cannabis Community Event, a gathering aimed at celebrating cannabis and fostering inclusivity within the industry. This event is part of the Cannabis Business Courses for Social Equity collection and will take place on Tuesday, July 16th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library, located at 315 South Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
This event promises an evening filled with networking, insightful discussions, and collaborative opportunities. Designed to empower attendees, it provides a platform for voices from diverse backgrounds to be heard and valued. The focus is on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the cannabis sector.
The Kalamazoo Cannabis Community Event is more than just a networking opportunity; it is a call to action for those who believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. By attending, participants can contribute to the ongoing effort to create a cannabis industry that reflects the rich diversity of our society. This event is an opportunity to be part of a movement towards a more inclusive and equitable cannabis industry.
Join the Detroit Cannabis Project on July 16 for an evening dedicated to building bridges, creating opportunities, and driving positive change within the cannabis community. Your presence and participation can make a significant impact. We look forward to seeing you there!
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