In a recent update, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) of Michigan released its January 2024 Disciplinary Action Report, outlining the administrative formal complaints and disciplinary actions taken against licensees in the state's adult-use and medical cannabis sectors. The report reveals a series of compliance failures across a number of operations, highlighting the agency's ongoing efforts to enforce regulations within the industry.
The CRA's January report lists several businesses across Michigan facing disciplinary actions for a variety of infractions, ranging from failure to report material changes in operations to non-compliance with the state's tracking system and security requirements.
The CRA's report underscores the diverse nature of compliance issues facing the cannabis industry in Michigan, from operational mismanagement and security lapses to specific failures in adhering to the state's Adult-Use Marijuana and Medical Marijuana facilities system (METRC), packaging, advertising, and sales regulations.
These disciplinary actions serve as a reminder of the importance of strict adherence to regulatory requirements within the cannabis industry. For businesses, the consequences of non-compliance can range from fines to the suspension or revocation of licenses, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance and adherence to state laws and regulations. For consumers, these enforcement actions assure that Michigan's cannabis market remains safe, compliant, and transparent.
The CRA's commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring compliance is crucial for maintaining the integrity of Michigan's cannabis industry, promoting fair business practices, and protecting consumers. As the industry continues to evolve, the agency's role in oversight and enforcement will remain vital for the development of a responsible and sustainable market.
The January 2024 Disciplinary Action Report by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency highlights the ongoing challenges and regulatory enforcement activities within Michigan's burgeoning cannabis industry. As the state continues to navigate the complexities of cannabis regulation, these actions are essential for fostering a compliant, safe, and thriving market for all stakeholders involved.
The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission has concluded its examination of ethics allegations against Wayne County Circuit Judge Paul Cusick, leading to the complete dismissal of the charges. The inquiry centered on accusations that, during his tenure as an assistant attorney general, Cusick had engaged in misconduct by allowing a confidential informant to commit perjury in a marijuana-related case. The commission's decision was significantly influenced by a special master's report, which found insufficient credible evidence to support the allegations.
The ethics complaint, filed in November 2022, detailed accusations against Judge Cusick for not disclosing specific arrangements regarding an informant's cooperation with law enforcement. This cooperation was allegedly aimed at obtaining a lenient sentence for the informant's boyfriend, who was implicated in a marijuana enterprise. The complaint further alleged that Cusick permitted the informant to provide false testimony and obstructed the defense's efforts to probe the terms of her collaboration with the authorities.
Special Master Peter D. Houk, in his September recommendation for dismissal, expressed belief in Cusick's statements denying knowledge of any deal benefiting the informant's boyfriend. The commission majority echoed Houk's assessment, valuing the insights from experienced trial attorneys on the use of confidential informants in drug prosecutions.
However, the decision was not unanimous. Two commissioners, Judges Monte J. Burmeister and Pablo Cortes, dissented in part. They concurred with much of the majority's view but argued that evidence suggested Cusick was aware of the informant's actual motives, thus violating a Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct by permitting her misleading testimony.
The dissenting opinion highlighted discrepancies between the informant's stated reasons for participating in the case and the evidence, suggesting a deeper involvement in drug trafficking activities led by her boyfriend. This discrepancy raised questions about Cusick's assertions of ignorance regarding the informant's motivations.
Further complicating the situation, defense counsel for the accused dispensary owner had clandestinely recorded a meeting with the informant. This recording, according to Cusick's legal representation, confirmed the informant's honesty about her motives. The defense's failure to disclose this recording was criticized by Cusick's attorneys, who argued that the omission contributed to a misleading portrayal of the judge's actions.
In defending Judge Cusick, his lawyers emphasized the lack of written evidence to prove knowledge of any agreement between the informant and her boyfriend, challenging the disciplinary counsel's ability to substantiate their allegations of misconduct.
The case's resolution leaves open questions about the judicial process and the use of confidential informants in legal proceedings. Representatives for the Judicial Tenure Commission and Judge Cusick's legal team provided contrasting perspectives on the implications of the case and the evidence presented during the investigation.
The commission's decision to dismiss the complaint against Judge Cusick marks the end of a closely watched judicial ethics investigation, underscoring the complexities and challenges in maintaining transparency and integrity within the legal system.
Lume Cannabis Co. has announced its intention to take control of a significant cultivation facility near Lansing, previously operated by Skymint, its industry rival. This move is part of Lume's strategic expansion efforts in the state's cannabis sector.
Recently, Lume expressed its commitment through a letter of intent, signaling its plans to lease the 56,000-square-foot cultivation space located within Harvest Park at 10070 Harvest Park in Dimondale. This decision comes as Skymint prepares to exit the facility by March 1st, amidst a restructuring initiative following a period of receivership. The facility, owned by Innovative Industrial Properties, marks the end of Skymint's cultivation operations in Michigan. Skymint plans to shift its focus towards sourcing cannabis products from other growers while maintaining its retail presence through 22 stores across the state.
Doug Hellyar, President and COO of Lume, highlighted the company's ambition to solidify its presence in Michigan by occupying the facility within the next 90 days, pending further due diligence and the finalization of a long-term lease agreement with Innovative Industrial Properties. Additionally, Lume is in the process of securing a local license from the village of Dimondale.
The transition to the Harvest Park facility is a strategic move for Lume, with plans to commence its first harvest by August. The harvested plants are slated for flash-freezing and subsequent shipment to Lume's processing site in Evart. The company envisions stabilizing operations before relocating its solventless extraction processes to Dimondale, earmarking the facility as the exclusive production site for its highly sought-after Lume Gold Label live rosin product. This product, known for its use in vapes and smokable forms, has seen a surge in demand that Lume aims to meet through this expansion.
Hellyar projects that, once fully operational, the Dimondale site will become the state's, if not the nation's, largest dedicated live rosin facility. To achieve this, Lume is set to invest significantly in the facility's infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art lighting system and other critical upgrades. This strategic move also allows Lume to enhance its cultivation capacity at its extensive facility in Evart.
The acquisition of the Harvest Park facility, which formerly employed 143 workers under Skymint, may offer employment opportunities for some of these individuals, though the exact number remains undetermined. This development occurs as Skymint initiates layoffs at the facility.
Skymint's challenges culminated in receivership in March of the previous year, following a lawsuit from its primary lender, Tropics LP, a subsidiary of Sunstream Bancorp., affiliated with SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), over a substantial debt. The acquisition of Skymint's assets, including cultivation and retail leases, was finalized in October for $109.4 million by Tropics, now operating under Skymint Acquisition Co.
In a separate move, Skymint relinquished its lease on the Summit Sports and Ice Complex near Lansing earlier in April, abandoning plans to expand its marijuana production capabilities.
Amid these industry shifts, Lume continues to project significant growth, with revenue expectations surpassing $200 million for the current year. The company's operations encompass a cultivation facility in Evart and 38 dispensaries throughout Michigan, reinforcing its stature in the state's cannabis market.
Today, we dive into a review of Premier Cannabis Farms, a brand deeply rooted in the Lansing/East Lansing area, showcasing its dedication to local pride with the 517 Spartan OG #6 strain, a nod to Michigan State University.
Despite the scarcity of information online, Premier Cannabis Farms stands out for its commitment to Lansing, incorporating the area code 517 into each strain name. Their cultivation approach focuses on a small, exclusive genetic library, emphasizing small-batch production with meticulous hand watering and trimming practices. It's likely their operations are based around Lansing, given the local distribution of their products.
This strain truly stands out, encapsulating all the desirable qualities of premium bud—packaged in glass jars, featuring large, squishy nugs with an aroma that translates perfectly into its unique taste. Despite being slightly aged, the quality remained exceptional, making it one of the top OG varieties experienced in Michigan.
Interestingly, this strain also represented Premier Cannabis Farms in the 2023 High Times Cannabis Cup, indicating its quality and the brand's ambition.
Premier Cannabis Farms' 517 Spartan OG #6 is undeniably Gas ⛽, a testament to their meticulous cultivation process and their potential to make waves beyond the Lansing area. This review, originally featured on Gas & Middies, barely scratches the surface of the strain's excellence. For cannabis enthusiasts, especially those in Michigan, it's a brand worth watching, and I eagerly anticipate their future offerings.
For the complete review and more information, visit Gas & Middies. Your source for Michigan cannabis reviews & information. Finding the gas ⛽ through all of the middies 🥱
The Bad Axe City Council, in its recent meeting on February 5th, engaged in a significant discussion regarding the inaugural draft of a proposed marijuana ordinance, focusing on the regulation of cannabis businesses within the city. Police Chief Shawn Webber provided a detailed overview of the available licenses under the draft ordinance, highlighting the inclusion of two principal business types: retailers and micro-businesses. He emphasized the potential tax revenue benefits, particularly from these entities, estimating an annual income of approximately $56,000 per license issued.
Retail stores, as outlined, would source their products from distributors, in contrast to micro-businesses, designed to cultivate and produce all goods on-site. The draft proposes a cap of two licenses for each business type, a figure that City Manager Rebecca Bachman noted could be revisited and adjusted to possibly include more varieties of businesses or increase the allowed number.
The dialogue also touched upon concerns related to cultivation facilities, especially in light of public complaints about odors emanating from a facility in Vassar. To mitigate similar issues, it was suggested that micro-businesses, capable of on-site production, be restricted to industrial zones, while retail establishments could be located within business districts. Currently, the ordinance draft does not cover cultivation facilities, reflecting the city's historical focus on retail-based inquiries.
Chief Webber also shared insights from discussions with Bay County law enforcement, cautioning against oversaturating the market with cannabis businesses, a scenario believed to have led to business closures in Bay County due to intense competition.
On the topic of safety, Webber reassured the council that, based on data from surrounding areas, the primary safety concerns associated with cannabis businesses were retail fraud and break-ins, without a significant uptick in overall crime rates. He also highlighted that cannabis businesses are subject to stringent state regulations, ensuring that local enforcement can concentrate on other community matters.
Following the discussion, Bachman indicated that a final draft of the ordinance is underway, with plans to present it for a vote at the council's next meeting. Subsequent steps would involve forwarding the ordinance to the planning commission and organizing public hearings.
Additionally, the council approved an increase in election inspector pay to $16 per hour and an incentive program for water treatment and water operators to obtain additional licenses. However, a request for back pay for an employee was not supported.
The next council meeting is scheduled for February 20th, following a closure on February 19th in observance of Presidents Day.
In a significant operation led by narcotics investigators from the Region of Irish Hills Narcotics Office (RHINO), a considerable cache of firearms and illegal substances was confiscated during a search in Lenawee County, Michigan. This action, part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, underscores the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related crimes in the region.
On Tuesday, February 6th, RHINO detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in Lenawee County. The Michigan State Police reported that the operation resulted in the seizure of an alarming array of illegal items. Investigators discovered over 12 ounces of cocaine, quantities of LSD intended for distribution, numerous bags of hallucinogenic mushrooms, approximately 29 pounds of processed marijuana, and 16 firearms. The assortment and volume of the narcotics and weapons underscore the significant scale of this drug operation.
In addition to the items immediately seized, authorities collected other suspected narcotics, which will undergo analysis at the Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory to confirm their composition and potentially add further charges against those involved.
A suspect was apprehended at the scene of the search. However, details regarding their identity and the charges they face have not been disclosed as the suspect awaits arraignment. This arrest marks a crucial step in the investigation, though the operation remains active with ongoing inquiries.
The RHINO office, committed to disrupting drug trafficking and related criminal activities, urges the public to come forward with any information that could aid their efforts. They emphasize the importance of community involvement in their fight against narcotics and assure confidentiality for those who wish to provide tips anonymously.
Support for the operation came from several units within the Michigan State Police, including the MSP Aviation Unit, troopers from the MSP-Monroe Post, the MSP K-9 Unit, and the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET). This collaborative approach highlights the broad commitment across various law enforcement agencies to address and mitigate the challenges posed by drug trafficking and its associated crimes.
As the investigation progresses, the RHINO office and its partners remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the communities within Lenawee County and beyond, signaling a continued crackdown on narcotics distribution networks.
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