Saline is on the brink of making a decision that could enhance convenience for cannabis consumers by potentially allowing dispensaries to provide curbside service. This consideration comes amid a current absence of specific guidelines for curbside sales at local dispensaries, placing the decision in the hands of the Saline City Council.
Recently, on March 4th, the city council took a preliminary step by acknowledging draft regulations that would permit curbside cannabis pickup. A definitive vote on the matter is scheduled for the council's next session on March 18th. Currently, the majority of dispensaries in Saline, despite having city approval or being operational, are restricted from offering curbside pickup due to conditions in their site plans awaiting the city's formal stance on the service. This restriction is highlighted by the situation at Rush Cannabis, the city's inaugural dispensary, which is located on West Michigan Avenue.
Under the proposed curbside service, the process that currently requires customers to enter the store to verify their IDs, pay, and collect their orders would shift to the parking lot. This would involve a salesperson, accompanied by security, using a mobile ID scanner to complete transactions outside the store. Shaun Mansour, owner of Rush Cannabis, emphasized the benefits of such a service, noting its convenience and the privacy it offers customers, particularly on inclement weather days or for those seeking discretion due to their professional lives.
The city's planning department has noted a lack of extensive regulation of curbside cannabis pickup by other cities, with most allowing it. For instance, Ann Arbor made clarifications to its city rules in 2022 to expressly permit this convenience. Saline's planners believe the current zoning code supports curbside pickup in commercial districts but suggest that explicit approval is necessary due to existing site plan restrictions for cannabis retailers.
The proposed guidelines would allow dispensaries to have up to five curbside pickup spots in their parking lots, with no anticipated traffic or parking issues according to city Community Development Director Ben Harrington. Mansour also reassured the city council that the introduction of curbside service is unlikely to cause any significant increase in traffic or inconvenience.
The discussion on curbside pickup is set to continue, with Saline Mayor Brian Marl expecting a thorough debate at the March 18th city council meeting. The council is also keen on community feedback, as highlighted by Council Member Nicole Rice, who also pointed to the significant state marijuana tax revenue contribution from local dispensaries, underscoring the importance of supporting local businesses.
The Bad Axe City Council has taken a significant step towards the regulation of cannabis businesses within the city by voting on the first draft of a new cannabis ordinance. In a unanimous decision, with two members abstaining, the council has moved the ordinance forward to the planning commission for further scrutiny.
City Manager Rebecca Bachman highlighted the ordinance's progression, noting that its passage initiates a series of public hearings conducted by both the planning commission and the city council. This essential phase ensures community engagement and feedback before the ordinance can be finalized and implemented.
During deliberations, Council Member Joel Harrison expressed concerns about the potential impact of new businesses on the city's landscape. He advocated for a requirement that new cannabis businesses occupy existing buildings to prevent the possibility of adding vacant structures to the city if a business fails. Although the current ordinance does not address this preference, Bad Axe Police Chief Shawn Webber and Bachman assured the council that they would investigate how similar concerns were managed by other cities and consider a resolution to incorporate such a requirement.
The proposed ordinance outlines specific regulations for cannabis businesses, allowing for the establishment of micro-businesses and retail stores within designated zones. Micro-businesses, which cultivate and sell their products on-site, are restricted to the industrial district, while retail stores are confined to the business district. Additionally, the ordinance limits the number of each type of business to two within the city.
This movement comes after Michigan voters approved the recreational use of cannabis in 2018 through Proposal 1-18. Despite initial resistance, including a unanimous vote against permitting cannabis facilities in Bad Axe and subsequent rejections of proposals to introduce such establishments, the city council reversed its stance in November 2023. This decision opened the door to recreational cannabis facilities in Bad Axe, marking a significant shift in the city's approach to cannabis regulation.
The region has seen varying responses to cannabis legislation since 2018, with nearby locales adopting different stances on medical and recreational cannabis. Notably, Port Austin Township residents recently voted to prohibit recreational cannabis dispensaries in their area, highlighting the diverse perspectives on cannabis within the surrounding communities.
The Michigan cannabis community mourns the loss of Rhory Gould, a luminary in the state's cannabis culture and a cherished friend to many. Rhory, the esteemed founder and CEO of ArborSide Compassion in Ann Arbor, passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of activism, innovation, and compassion that has significantly shaped the local cannabis landscape.
Rhory Gould was not just a name in the cannabis industry; he was a visionary who lived his life with a profound sense of purpose and commitment to the community. For over 35 years, Rhory dedicated himself to cannabis activism, tirelessly working to destigmatize its use and advocate for the rights of patients and consumers. In 2011, he founded ArborSide Compassion, a dispensary that quickly rose to prominence as one of Michigan's top provisioning centers.
ArborSide Compassion, under Rhory's leadership, became a beacon for quality, care, and innovation in the cannabis sector. Servicing over 1,200 patients weekly, the dispensary has garnered widespread acclaim, securing more than 22 HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup awards. These accolades not only highlight the dispensary's commitment to excellence but also Rhory's inventive spirit, particularly through the creation of original edibles crafted by in-house chefs.
Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, Rhory was a revered mentor and educator within the cannabis community. He established an annual grow seminar coinciding with Ann Arbor's Hash Bash, attracting industry giants like Kyle Kushman, Ed Rosenthal, and DJ Short, among others. These seminars underscored Rhory's dedication to spreading knowledge and fostering a culture of learning and innovation in cannabis cultivation and use.
Rhory Gould's impact extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. He was a beacon of friendship, warmth, and genuine kindness, touching the lives of everyone he encountered. His departure leaves a void that reverberates through the hearts of those who knew him, a testament to the indelible mark he made on both personal and professional levels.
The community comes together in this time of grief, finding solace in shared memories and the enduring legacy of love and unity Rhory championed. His spirit, laughter, and lessons continue to inspire those he left behind, ensuring that his contributions to the cannabis community and the world at large will not be forgotten.
Rhory Gould's life and legacy are a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on a community. As we bid farewell to a true pioneer, we are reminded of the importance of compassion, advocacy, and innovation. Rhory's memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched, the community he built, and the industry he helped shape. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those mourning this immense loss.
Skunk Really Works, an innovative player in the crop science arena and a distinguished entity in the vintage cannabis market, is excited to announce the forthcoming Saigon Skunk collection, set to debut in late 2024. This latest offering is not merely a nod to the past but a reinvention, blending the rich heritage of Vietnamese landrace cannabis strains from the 1960s with cutting-edge cultivation technology.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Skunk Really Works came into possession of these historic seeds in 2023, thanks to a serendipitous gift. The seeds, which were originally collected by a U.S. soldier during the Vietnam War era, have lain dormant until recently discovered in a pill bottle. The journey of these seeds from a time of conflict to the present day is a poignant reminder of the enduring nature of cannabis strains and their cultural significance.
The challenge of reviving these aged seeds was taken up by Cannomics Labs Tissue Culture Company, which applied modern crop science techniques to rekindle their vitality. This process illustrates the advancements in cannabis cultivation and the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate genetic diversity within the industry.
Franklin Beans, a noted plant scientist and cannabis breeder, acknowledged the uncertainty that initially surrounded the future of these vintage seeds. However, the collaboration with Cannomics Labs proved to be a groundbreaking endeavor. Cannomics Labs, known for their tissue culture services and germination products, worked closely with Skunk Really Works to breathe new life into the seeds, ultimately resulting in a contemporary version of the Saigon Skunk that honors its historical roots.
The legacy of Ray Darcy, a passionate seed collector from Lansing, Michigan, also plays a pivotal role in this collection. Darcy, who passed away due to cancer, had meticulously preserved his own collection of cannabis seeds dating back to the 1990s. The germination of these nearly forgotten seeds proved challenging, prompting Skunk Really Works to seek assistance from experts. The Saigon Skunk collection is a tribute to Darcy's dedication, with Franklin Beans expressing a heartfelt homage: "We will put them to good use in your honor. There is a story behind all of our unique cultivators."
This endeavor by Skunk Really Works and Cannomics Labs Tissue Culture Company is a testament to the collaborative spirit within the cannabis industry, showcasing a fusion of historical preservation and scientific innovation. The Saigon Skunk collection promises to offer a unique experience to enthusiasts of both history and cannabis, merging the past's allure with today's technological achievements.
In the state of Michigan, where the cultivation and use of cannabis have been legalized, a new challenge has emerged that has caught the attention of law enforcement agencies, particularly in Mecosta County. This challenge revolves around the establishment of illegal cannabis operations by individuals, notably from the Cuban community, who are engaging in black-market cultivation. These illicit activities have not only led to concerns about the potential for violence and crime but have also highlighted issues of human trafficking and exploitation within the industry.
The legalization of cannabis was intended to regulate and control the production, distribution, and consumption of the plant, ensuring safety and legal compliance. However, the emergence of black-market operations has underscored the complexities and unintended consequences of cannabis legalization. The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office has raised alarms over the influx of individuals involved in these illegal endeavors, pointing to a growing problem that threatens the safety and integrity of the local community.
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