Stevie Van Zandt, famed for his role in "The Sopranos" and as a founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, is launching his cannabis brand, Silvio's Stash, in the Michigan market. This venture is in partnership with Calvin Johnson Jr. and Rob Sims' cannabis company, Primitiv, which focuses on promoting wellness through cannabis. Van Zandt, who portrayed Silvio Dante, Tony Soprano's trusted advisor throughout the series, emphasized the benefits of cannabis in addressing pain, stress, and sleep issues, and advocated for the spread of cannabis education and the end of its criminalization.
Silvio's Stash will introduce to the Michigan market a product line that includes five .5 gram pre-rolled joints, presented in a collectible tin, with an initial offering limited to 5,000 units. These products will be available at Primitiv Niles and various other dispensaries across Michigan, such as Puff, Quest, House of Dank, Greenhouse, Pure Options, and others.
Celebrating this collaboration, Van Zandt shared his excitement on Instagram, highlighting the limited edition nature of this first batch. The partnership with Primitiv aims to leverage the shared values of quality and innovation in the cannabis industry, marking Silvio's Stash's entrance into the vibrant Michigan cannabis market.
Calvin Johnson, a 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, remarked on the alignment between Primitiv's commitment to premium products and the mission of Silvio's Stash to provide exceptional cannabis experiences. Rob Sims shared the sentiment, noting that their NFL careers provided them a platform to advocate for destigmatizing cannabis and that partnering with Van Zandt amplifies their ability to educate the public on the benefits of cannabis.
Additionally, Primitiv is set to introduce its sibling brand, TURF, featuring a variety of premium, indoor-cultivated cannabis products. These products, including pre-packed 1/8ths and prerolls, will sport new packaging inspired by the classic Nintendo game, Tecmo Bowl, in celebration of its 35th anniversary. This innovative packaging aims to blend cannabis culture with nostalgia for gaming, appealing to both cannabis enthusiasts and gamers. The TURF products, cultivated at Primitiv's Webberville facility, will include popular strains such as Key Lime Thai, Blueberry Muffin, and others.
Residents of Lapeer, Michigan, are expressing growing concern over the pervasive smell of cannabis emanating from a local grow facility. At a recent Lapeer City Commission meeting, former judge Mike Higgins, now a resident of Andrews River Estates, voiced these concerns on behalf of his neighborhood. Higgins, along with 46 other residents, submitted a petition urging the city to take action against the ongoing odor issue, which they believe diminishes their quality of life.
The petition highlights the residents' frustration, stating, "Whereas we want to stop the pollution and odor coming from the cannabis growing and production facilities in the area, and whereas this pollution has been ongoing for months without a specific remedy in place; and whereas we believe this pollution is a nuisance under the city cannabis licensing ordinance and interferes with lawful use and enjoyment of our property." It demands that growers and producers submit and implement a plan to eliminate the odor as a condition of maintaining their licenses.
Lapeer attorney Tim Denney and resident Bryan Cloutier also spoke at the meeting, emphasizing the need for better planning, zoning, and code enforcement to manage the cannabis industry effectively. Cloutier criticized the current approach, suggesting that more strategic planning could have prevented these issues.
In response, Lapeer City Manager Mike Womack acknowledged the community's concerns, which he shared, noting that a six-month moratorium on new cannabis businesses had already been enacted to allow time to review and strengthen city policies and ordinances.
The meeting also addressed other civic matters, including pedestrian safety and beautification initiatives proposed by residents Boris and his wife, who suggested implementing "traffic calming" measures such as painted intersection murals and curb extensions. Mindy Schwab from the Lapeer Main Street Downtown Development Authority updated on activities and upcoming events, emphasizing efforts to enhance downtown Lapeer's appeal and accessibility.
Moreover, the City Commission approved several motions, including a lease agreement for a historic pavilion, a special event request from Lapeer Community Schools, and road repairs at Mt. Hope Cemetery. These approvals underline the commission's ongoing commitment to improving city infrastructure and community life.
This episode illustrates the complexities of local governance, where civic improvements and industrial growth must be balanced with the preservation of residents' quality of life.
A town hall meeting is scheduled in Ionia County to address concerns regarding underage drinking, vaping, and cannabis use among the youth. The event will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17th, at the Ionia Armory Community Center located at 439 W. Main St.
Organized by the Ionia County Health Department in conjunction with the Ionia County Substance Abuse Initiative Coalition, this adults-only gathering aims to enhance awareness and foster community involvement in tackling substance abuse issues. Charlean Hemminger, the coalition's coordinator and a health educator at the Ionia County Health Department, highlighted the town hall's support from state and federal grants, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug-Free Communities Grant.
Matthew VanCamp, who joined the Ionia County Health Department as the Drug-Free Communities Grant Coordinator earlier this year, emphasized the significance of the event for parents. He noted that the town hall offers an excellent platform for parents to learn effective communication strategies with their children concerning alcohol, nicotine, and vaping.
The keynote speaker, Cara Ludlow, assistant director of wellness and counseling services at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, will address the challenges faced by children today and the importance of parental engagement in their lives.
Attendees who participate in a survey at the event will be rewarded with a voucher for the Taqueria El Azteca food truck or a gift card to a local restaurant, highlighting the importance of community feedback in such initiatives.
Through this event, organizers aim to galvanize community efforts to reduce substance abuse among the county's youth by empowering parents and providing access to community resources.
Bay City has adopted a new initiative to allocate cannabis sales revenue towards enhancing local infrastructure, particularly focusing on neighborhood streets. This program, humorously named "Pot for Potholes," aims to address the long-standing issues of road maintenance in residential areas.
Chris Girard, Sixth Ward City Commissioner, highlighted that the city garnered $900,000 last year from cannabis sales, a figure he anticipates will increase. These funds will now be directed exclusively towards infrastructure projects. Girard emphasized the need to channel more resources into neighborhood improvements, noting the significant expenditures on roads that residents felt were not benefiting their local areas.
"The resolution I presented, Pot for Potholes, is all about getting those improvements into our neighborhoods where they're desperately needed," Girard stated. He expressed a strong commitment to finding solutions to enhance the quality of local streets, which form the backbone of daily community interaction.
Residents have responded positively to the initiative. Daniel Vanguilder, a local, praised the city's decision, stressing the importance of reinvesting in the city to improve living conditions. "My own street is bumpy, noisy, and dusty, especially when heavy vehicles pass by," Vanguilder described. He sees the directed funds as a crucial step towards rectifying these issues.
Under the resolution, the city manager is tasked with the allocation of state-provided cannabis revenue to these infrastructure projects. The focus will be on making tangible improvements to neighborhood streets, enhancing the overall quality of life and well-being of the community.
Moreover, the resolution mandates periodic reports to the city commission. These updates will track the progress and outcomes of the infrastructure spending, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of these funds.
Adjustments to the city's budget will be necessary to implement the Pot for Potholes initiative effectively. This strategic move is seen as essential for ensuring that all areas of Bay City benefit fairly from the revenue generated by cannabis sales, avoiding the neglect of less prominent districts in favor of more affluent areas.
C3 Industries, a Michigan-based cannabis company, was founded in 2018 by brothers Ankur and Vishal Rungta. In a few short years, it has expanded significantly. Initially starting in one state, C3 now operates in five states, with plans to enter a sixth soon. The company manages 24 High Profile dispensaries across Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey, with Connecticut set to join the list. Additionally, C3 oversees more than 250,000 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing space across these states, although Illinois and New Jersey currently function as retail-only markets.
The company's brand portfolio includes Cloud Cover, Galactic, and Habitat, each offering a diverse range of cannabis products catering to different tastes, potency levels, and price points. This diverse operational footprint highlights C3's aggressive yet strategic expansion, demonstrating its capability to scale operations while adapting to varying state laws and market conditions.
Skunk Really Works, a pioneer in crop science, is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in their Saigon Skunk seed project. This groundbreaking initiative has successfully completed its first stage, with the seeds now beginning to germinate.
The Saigon Skunk collection, a homage to the rich heritage of Vietnamese landrace cannabis strains from the 1960s, blends historical significance with modern cultivation technology. This unique project was born out of a serendipitous gift — seeds originally collected by a U.S. soldier during the Vietnam War era, which lay dormant for decades in a pill bottle until their recent discovery.
The revival of these aged seeds was made possible by the collaboration with Cannomics Labs Tissue Culture Company. Utilizing advanced tissue culture and germination techniques, they have managed to rekindle the vitality of these seeds, bringing a piece of cannabis history back to life.
Franklin Beans has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this project. Their efforts are not only a tribute to the legacy of seed collector Ray Darcy but also an illustration of the power of collaborative spirit within the cannabis industry.
As these seeds continue to sprout, Skunk Really Works looks forward to sharing the next phases of the Saigon Skunk project. This endeavor not only preserves genetic diversity but also provides cannabis enthusiasts a link to the past, fused with the technological advancements of today.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the growth of these historic seeds into a promising future.
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