In a recent move to harmonize existing regulations, the Royal Oak City Commission has amended the city's marijuana ordinance, particularly focusing on the use of cannabis at special events. This change was prompted by the precedent set at last year's Arts, Beats and Eats festival, where the House of Dank was granted a special permit to operate a cannabis consumption and sales area. This marked the first instance of such a permit being issued in Royal Oak.
The amendment, unanimously voted in by the commissioners, was primarily aimed at resolving inconsistencies between the city's marijuana licensing ordinance and its zoning law. As explained by City Attorney Niccolas Grochowski, the alteration did not introduce new regulations but rather aligned the existing ones. This clarification was necessary, as the original ordinance could be interpreted as prohibiting the city from issuing special licenses for temporary marijuana events, despite the zoning ordinance explicitly allowing such permits.
Mayor Michael Fournier highlighted the need for these changes, pointing out previous confusions regarding the language in the marijuana and zoning ordinances. The amendment now clearly states that smoking or using marijuana is not prohibited at temporary marijuana events, provided they have been granted a permit by the City Commission.
This step is part of Royal Oak's broader journey to integrate recreational marijuana use and sales within the city, following Michigan's state-wide legalization in November 2018. Royal Oak, where 69 percent of voters supported the legalization, has been developing and refining its cannabis-related ordinances over the past few years, encompassing various aspects of commercial cannabis operations.
The decision to amend the ordinance reflects the city's ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving landscape of marijuana use and regulation, balancing legal compliance with the preferences expressed by its residents.
Michigan's cannabis industry is set to receive a significant boost with the upcoming Innovation CannaTech event, organized by BusinessExpos.com. Scheduled for April 30th, 2024, at the Kingsley by Hilton in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, this one-day event is poised to be a landmark gathering for cannabis technology and innovation.
Innovation CannaTech aims to shine a spotlight on the latest advancements across all facets of the cannabis sector, including regulatory developments, cultivation improvements, and more. Jen Wynn, the Vice President of Expositions at BusinessExpos.com, expressed excitement about offering a platform for showcasing the latest innovations in the cannabis industry.
A key highlight of the event will be the participation of Brian Hanna, Executive Director of Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), as the keynote speaker. Appointed by Governor Whitmer in December 2022, Hanna leads the CRA in overseeing medical and adult-use marijuana industries, regulation of hemp-derived products, and the state's medical marijuana registry card program. His presence is expected to provide invaluable insights into Michigan's cannabis landscape.
Wynn emphasized the importance of CRA's involvement, highlighting the opportunity for attendees to gain first-hand information about market updates.
The event also features an educational component, with Wayne State University presenting their new Certificate in Cannabis Chemistry program. This program is designed to prepare students for careers in cannabis testing and regulation, focusing on analytical chemistry, separation science, laboratory safety, and industry-specific research. Andrea N. Matti, a doctoral teaching assistant at Wayne State University, underscored the program's role in equipping students for the expanding field of cannabis testing and regulation.
Innovation CannaTech is not just about showcasing technological advancements but also about building a vibrant, inclusive community. It offers a unique opportunity for professionals to network, learn, and contribute to the dynamic cannabis industry.
Attendees will have access to the show floor, speaker sessions, and an evening reception with full access passes. For more information or to register for the event, visit BusinessExpos.com or call (810) 547-1349.
BusinessExpos.com facilitates business connections across various industries. Their expos provide a platform for professionals to find products, services, and partnerships, fostering growth in B2B enterprises.
In Roseville, Michigan, a significant transformation is underway as the dilapidated Roseville Inn, a site long associated with various community disturbances, is being demolished to make way for a new cannabis dispensary. This development marks a noteworthy change in the landscape of Groesbeck Highway, south of Common Road.
The Roseville Inn, now vacant, has been a center of numerous police and fire department interventions over the past three years. City Manager Ryan Monroe highlighted the frequent calls for service at the location, ranging from arguments and vagrancy to tenant evictions and requests for ambulance services. The local police department, under Chief Mitchell Berlin, has been particularly active at the site, addressing issues related to prostitution and narcotics trafficking.
The demolition of this two-story motel, which has seen significant deterioration over time, is a development that local authorities, including Chief Berlin, welcome. The replacement of the troubled motel with a new structure is seen as a positive step for the community.
The property, located at 29765 Roseville, was acquired in October for $1.85 million by a corporation of the same name. The purchase, facilitated by Mahendra Patel of Livonia, lists Hani Kassab Jr., a senior executive at Jars Cannabis, as the resident agent.
Jars Cannabis, the company behind the new dispensary, aims to have the facility operational by October, as indicated on their website. This initiative is part of a broader movement within Roseville, where the City Council granted recreational marijuana facility licenses to six companies in September. These companies, including Jars, are expected to establish their presence primarily in the Groesbeck Highway industrial corridor.
As part of their agreement with the city, these companies have committed to contributing positively to the community, including making charitable donations. This aspect of the agreement is overseen by Rob Huth, a Clinton Township-based attorney representing Jars. The company already has a presence in Macomb County, with dispensaries in Center Line and Mount Clemens, and another under construction in Chesterfield Township.
Lapeer, Michigan, has recently imposed a six-month moratorium on new marijuana business applications. This decision, effective immediately, was made during the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, following a recommendation by City Manager Mike Womack. The pause is intended to allow time for revising local ordinances concerning zoning and the enforcement of violations.
In 2018, Lapeer authorized six marijuana dispensaries for adults 21 and older to purchase both medical and recreational marijuana products. However, the city did not set a limit on the number of marijuana cultivation and processing businesses, leading to the current operation of seven such facilities.
The move comes in response to persistent complaints from residents, neighboring businesses, and visitors about the pervasive marijuana odor emanating from several grow facilities, notably the SDRK Grow LLC facility, previously the Lapeer Grain Co. site.
These concerns were echoed by the Lapeer Planning Commission, which recently urged the City Commission to reassess its ordinances. They highlighted the problematic location of marijuana businesses, particularly their proximity to other commercial entities. Most of these businesses are concentrated east of Court Street on Genesee Street/Imlay City Road and on Saginaw and Court streets south of the Canadian National Railroad tracks.
The idea of capping the number of cultivation operations in Lapeer was raised at the City Commission meeting. Commissioner Stefan Brady suggested aligning the number of grow facilities with the number of dispensaries, proposing a limit of six. This suggestion is yet to be formally considered or adopted.
In the meantime, efforts to address the odor issue are underway. Andy Shango, owner of the SDRK grow facility, is actively working on solutions. His facility, which received its permanent occupancy permit last fall, is collaborating with Kapala Heating & Air Conditioning to repair air leaks in large filtration equipment outside its two 6,000-square-foot grow operations. Shango has invested over $8 million in the site, including building renovations and equipment, and plans to spend approximately $1 million on a backup generator system. He emphasizes his commitment to being a responsible community member and resolving the odor issue.
The City has yet to issue citations for the odor problem, preferring to give businesses the opportunity to address the issue voluntarily. City Manager Womack highlighted the importance of working collaboratively with businesses to find solutions rather than rushing to punitive measures. However, he noted that some marijuana businesses might not be taking necessary steps to control the odor, and the City is prepared to enforce laws if required.
Lapeer's ordinances, particularly Ordinance 69.5, stipulate that operations should not cause nuisances like odors detectable beyond property boundaries. The definition of a nuisance in the zoning ordinance covers a range of disturbances, including odors, and the City is obligated to ensure compliance.
Operation of an authorized establishment shall not, either directly or indirectly, cause or create any noise, dust, vibration, glare, fumes or odors constituting a nuisance and also detectable to human senses beyond the boundaries of the property on which the facility is operated.
This development reflects Lapeer's ongoing efforts to balance the growth of its marijuana industry with community standards and concerns.
In a unique show of support for the Detroit Lions during their playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Michigan's own Pleasantrees cannabis company has launched a series of eye-catching billboards. These billboards, placed strategically along Interstate 75, are not only rallying the local community but also subtly highlighting Michigan's progressive stance on marijuana usage compared to Florida's more restricted approach.
The billboards feature bold statements like "Tampa Bay Smokes Hemp. Let's Go Detroit," drawing attention to the fact that Florida permits only medical marijuana use, whereas Michigan allows recreational use for those over 21. This initiative by Pleasantrees, headquartered in Mount Clemens, is a clever blend of sports enthusiasm and cannabis culture.
Bryan Wickersham, President of Pleasantrees, explains that the billboards aim to unite the Michigan cannabis industry and its community in a light-hearted manner, leveraging common industry terms. "With the Lions fever gripping everyone, it seemed a natural fit to find a way to support our team," Wickersham commented.
The idea for these billboards was conceived ahead of the Lions' playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on January 14th. The messages have been crafted to be cheeky yet respectful, avoiding legal complications and specific names. For instance, an earlier billboard targeting the Los Angeles game read, "Los Angeles Smokes Mids. Let's Go Detroit," a playful jab at California's mid-grade cannabis.
Wickersham notes that while not everyone may grasp the humor (he mentions even his mother queried about the meaning of 'mids'), these billboards spark conversations around cannabis, helping to destigmatize and normalize it. The choice of hemp in the Tampa Bay billboards is a nod to the legal definition of hemp products, which contain 0.3% or less THC, commonly used in states without recreational marijuana legalization.
In Michigan's burgeoning $3 billion cannabis industry, differentiating oneself through advertising is a significant challenge. Traditional advertising avenues like TV and radio are largely inaccessible to cannabis companies due to federal regulations, as marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.
Billboards have emerged as a viable alternative. They offer a legal loophole, arguing that drivers are predominantly over 16, with a significant proportion being over 21. Pleasantrees was among the first to successfully employ this strategy, inspiring other companies to follow suit.
Nationally, out-of-home advertising, which includes billboards and posters, is a growing sector. According to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America, the revenue in this sector reached $6.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. While cannabis companies contribute only about 1% to this national revenue, in Michigan, they account for roughly 7% of the estimated $154 million spent on such advertisements in 2023.
Wickersham emphasizes their approach to billboard advertising as distinct, aiming not for direct promotion but rather to create emotional connections and community engagement.
Pleasantrees has been innovative in its market presence beyond billboards. The company, established in 2018, has repurposed the famous Gibraltar Trade Center, a recognizable landmark in Macomb County, into a processing facility and dispensary. They also operate cultivation facilities and dispensaries in various Michigan locations.
As for the future, Ryan Wood, the creative director of Pleasantrees, hints that this won't be their last venture into event-driven advertising. Although cautious not to jinx the outcome of the upcoming game, plans for post-victory billboards are already on the drawing board, with ideas like "Green Bay smokes cheese," a playful reference to subpar marijuana, being considered.
Ann Arbor has recently welcomed a new player in its cannabis market with the opening of Crave Cannabis. Located at 3860 Research Park Drive, the dispensary began operations in November and is already making strides with ambitious plans to introduce a marijuana consumption lounge to the city. This initiative follows the Ann Arbor Planning Commission's approval in September 2022 and the city's 2019 establishment of regulations permitting such lounges.
Michigan joins a growing list of over ten states in the U.S. that have legalized marijuana consumption lounges and cafes. These venues provide a legal public space for cannabis users, a significant step in the evolving landscape of marijuana use and culture.
Despite facing construction delays, Lamar Jarbo, the owner of Crave Cannabis, is optimistic about the lounge's opening in the coming months. He emphasizes the company's dedication to realizing this goal. The lounge is envisioned as a space where patrons can enjoy Crave Cannabis products in a relaxed environment. However, it's important to note that purchases of cannabis products will not be possible within the lounge itself.
Jarbo's vision for the lounge extends beyond just a space for relaxation and consumption. He plans to equip the lounge with multiple TV screens, some linked to PlayStations, a rentable podcast station, and even a golf simulator. The facility will also offer private rooms and lockers for personal storage, along with bongs and hookahs for use.
The lounge is not just envisioned as a chill-out spot but as a versatile venue suitable for private parties and events like comedy shows. Jarbo sees it as a place that can adapt to various social gatherings and entertainment needs.
The opening of the consumption lounge represents the second phase of Crave Cannabis's business plan. Since its inception, the dispensary has garnered attention for its extensive product range. Jarbo takes pride in the customer excitement generated by their diverse and potent product offerings, which include over 100 strains of cannabis flower, pre-rolls, topicals, concentrates, vaporizers, and edibles like THC-infused "potcorn."
Jarbo stresses the dispensary's commitment to offering unique and cutting-edge products. Crave Cannabis's District Manager, Philip Bunge, echoes this sentiment, highlighting their continuous search for new and high-quality items. To attract new customers, the dispensary currently offers a 50% discount for first-time visitors.
As Crave Cannabis evolves, Jarbo looks forward to deepening relationships with customers, especially with the introduction of the consumption lounge. He anticipates that the lounge will provide valuable insights into customer preferences and feedback, further shaping the dispensary's offerings and services.
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