Lucid Green, a platform specializing in item-level tracking for the cannabis industry, has formed a strategic partnership with Michigan-based cannabis company Common Citizen. This collaboration is set to introduce new educational tools aimed at both recreational and medical cannabis consumers in Michigan, leveraging advanced QR-style technology to improve access to product information.
The primary goal of this partnership is to enhance transparency in the cannabis supply chain, enabling consumers to access detailed information about products more easily. This initiative is expected to help consumers make more informed decisions, aligning with their individual preferences and values.
Both Lucid Green and Common Citizen emphasize the importance of immediate access to accurate product information for consumers. This new alliance underscores a shared focus on fostering trust and transparency within the cannabis industry.
Common Citizen, noted for its focus on product safety and customer experience, aligns with these objectives. Michael Elias, CEO of Common Citizen, commented on the collaboration: "Partnering with Lucid Green is a step towards emphasizing transparency in the cannabis industry. Our combined efforts are directed at helping consumers navigate the market more confidently, identifying products that meet their requirements."
Larry Levy, founder & CEO of Lucid Green, also spoke on the partnership: "Lucid Green's ethos centers around building trust through transparency. Working with Common Citizen, we are committed to providing consumers with precise information about cannabis products, which is crucial for informed decision-making."
The partnership extends to the LucidID app, offering users an interactive experience with products. For more details about this collaboration and to explore the Citizen product experience on the LucidID app, visit the following link: https://app.lucidgreen.io/products/bVwY3xSXbJ7viUzwJaqNfG/
Residents and officials in Lapeer, Michigan, have been expressing their concerns over the persistent marijuana odor emanating from cultivation facilities located on Saginaw Street at the former Lapeer Grain Company property and on S. Court Street, just south of the railroad tracks. This ongoing issue has prompted Lapeer officials to plan discussions with the operators of these grow facilities in an effort to find a resolution.
The Lapeer Planning Commission, responding to these complaints, has shown hesitancy in permitting further expansion of marijuana grow facilities in the area. In a recent meeting, the commission voted 5-3 against granting a special land use permit to a Livonia businessman who intended to establish an 11,400-square-foot organic medical marijuana cultivation site at 39 W. Genesee St. This site, once home to Thick's Glass and currently flanked by the Exclusive-brand marijuana dispensary and Arnold's Auto Wash, was proposed by Richard Swain for the development of the new facility.
Swain, accompanied by architects and engineers, presented plans for a new building equipped with advanced carbon-based air filtration systems, designed to purify the air within sealed rooms before its external release. Swain emphasized his commitment to adhering to city standards and expressed concern over being unfairly targeted, especially given the existing nearby facilities with known odor issues.
However, Planning Commissioner Doug Roberts pointed out that previous assurances from other growers about odor control had proven unreliable. Jennell RaCosta, the Planning Commission Chairwoman, and Commissioner Joshua Atwood voiced their preference for relocating such operations to industrial parks, distant from residential and other business areas. The decision to deny Swain's permit was supported by Commissioners Anne Schenck, Joshua Atwood, Jennell RaCosta, Marty Johnson, and Doug Roberts, while Commissioners Catherine Bostick, Debbie Marquardt, and Austin Kelly opposed it. Lapeer City Manager and Planning Commissioner Mike Womack was not present for the vote.
Further addressing these concerns, the Planning Commission has proposed that the Lapeer City Commission consider amending local marijuana regulations. This includes a suggestion that all marijuana cultivation facilities should require special land use approval, and a reevaluation of zoning ordinances to limit such facilities to areas zoned for heavy industrial use. This recommendation aligns with Michigan's marijuana laws, which stipulate that cultivation facilities be situated in industrially zoned areas. However, in Lapeer, the blending of marijuana businesses with other commercial and industrial operations, particularly along East Genesee Street and Imlay City Road, has complicated the issue.
Special land use permits are critical for local authorities to enforce regulations, such as controlling odors, and can be revoked if businesses fail to comply. Currently, Lapeer hosts six marijuana cultivation facilities, some of which have faced odor control issues. These facilities, established in older buildings, were not subjected to the special land use review, which limits the city's authority to demand modifications for odor mitigation.
Lapeer City Manager Mike Womack is expected to propose a six-month moratorium on new marijuana business applications in Lapeer during a city commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 16th. This pause is intended to allow for a thorough review of zoning and enforcement policies related to marijuana cultivation facilities, aiming to address the concerns of local residents and maintain community standards.
In Michigan, a judge from the Court of Claims recently dismissed two lawsuits related to a significant marijuana recall in 2021, which involved approximately 64,000 pounds of cannabis products valued at $229 million. This recall, one of the largest in the state's history, affected about 60% of all marijuana products in Michigan.
The issue originated from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency's (CRA) decision on November 17th, 2021, to recall marijuana tested by Viridis Laboratories between October 10th and November 16th, 2021. Viridis Laboratories, a licensed safety lab, is responsible for ensuring the safety of cannabis products for public consumption. The CRA's action was prompted by discrepancies in testing results for aspergillus, a potentially harmful mold, in cannabis products.
Claire Patterson, MRA Scientific and Legal Section Manager, testified that they observed failures in aspergillus testing in the state's monitoring system, which were subsequently reported as passing by Viridis Laboratories without any remediation by growers. Aspergillus, if detected in cannabis, must be eradicated and the product retested before sale. Further investigations by other licensed labs confirmed the presence of aspergillus in products passed by Viridis, leading the CRA to question the reliability of the lab's results for various marijuana products. The extensive recall caused considerable market disruption and additional costs, as all recalled products needed retesting before sale.
Viridis Laboratories, in response, filed lawsuits against the CRA and several employees, alleging that the recall was motivated by a "vendetta" due to Viridis's substantial market share in lab testing. The company argued that its due process rights were violated as the recall prevented sales without allowing Viridis to contest the allegations.
A previous ruling by a Court of Claims judge partially sided with Viridis, distinguishing between marijuana tested in their Lansing lab, which was the source of the contaminated product, and their Bay City lab. The recall was subsequently revised to exclude products tested in Bay City.
However, the recent dismissals in the Court of Claims signal a significant development, marking the end of most of the related lawsuits. Despite this, the dispute between Viridis and the CRA continues in Michigan's Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules court, with hearings scheduled to resume soon. Additionally, Viridis is pursuing financial compensation through the courts for sales losses and costs incurred due to the recall. One lawsuit remains unresolved in Ingham County Circuit Court.
Viridis's attorney, David R. Russell from Foster Swift Collins & Smith law firm, expressed confidence in revealing the truth through the court process and holding the CRA accountable. CRA spokesman David Harns commented on respecting the judiciary's rulings while the agency continues its regulatory duties.
Furthermore, the CRA has separately accused Viridis of manipulating THC potency results in cannabis products, a claim which Viridis denies and is currently contesting in the state administrative courts. The level of THC in marijuana products is a crucial factor affecting their value, as higher THC levels typically command higher prices due to their increased psychoactive effects.
In Highland Park, Michigan, a recent incident has raised questions and concerns among local officials. City Councilman Khursheed Ash-Shafii expressed disbelief and suspicion over the actions of Nar Cannabis, a Michigan-based marijuana company. Despite a July ruling by a judge invalidating the city's recreational cannabis ordinance, Nar Cannabis proceeded to renovate a vacant building into a dispensary.
This development occurred on Victor Street near Woodward Avenue, where Nar Cannabis renovated the building, adding a new parking lot, signage, and lighting. The dispensary has not yet opened, but company representatives were seen distributing T-shirts during the city's Christmas tree lighting event last month, further fueling speculation.
Ash-Shafii is wary of potential underhanded dealings, questioning the rationale behind investing significant funds into a dispensary unlikely to open without proper authorization. He suspects the existence of a "sinister" background agenda, considering the substantial investment involved in such a venture.
Mayor Glenda McDonald declined to comment on the situation, citing ongoing litigation. Likewise, attempts to reach Nar Cannabis for comment were unsuccessful.
This controversy follows a lawsuit filed in May by Highland Park activist Robert Davis. He alleged that the city's ordinance for zoning cannabis businesses violated the Michigan Zoning and Enabling Act, as it lacked approval from the city's Planning Commission. Davis suggested that the ordinance was designed to benefit donors owning property in the designated zones. Wayne County Circuit Judge Susan Hubbard concurred with this assessment, leading to the ordinance's nullification in July.
The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency has not yet approved a license for the disputed dispensary. Consequently, without a valid ordinance, dispensaries are not permitted to operate in Highland Park.
Davis suspects corrupt interactions between city officials and the building's owner, given the ongoing development of the dispensary despite legal prohibitions. He has communicated concerns to the judge and city attorney, urging legal action if the city attempts to authorize the dispensary's operation.
The city's attorney, Anthony Chubb, assured Davis that Highland Park had not sanctioned the dispensary's opening and would take legal steps against Nar Cannabis if they tried to open.
This situation adds to the controversy surrounding Highland Park's cannabis ordinance. Last year, efforts to amend the ordinance to address potential corruption were made. The initial ordinance granted the clerk sole authority to issue licenses, a responsibility typically assigned to a board for accountability. Moreover, the ordinance's zoning included areas beneficial to specific city donors, raising further ethical questions.
Amidst these developments, Ash-Shafii has taken a firm stance against discussing new ordinances until illegal grow operations in the city are addressed. He alleges that police inaction has allowed such operations to thrive in abandoned buildings. Ash-Shafii insists on a public referendum for any future ordinance concerning cannabis in Highland Park.
Editorial Note: Although this topic does not directly concern cannabis, it is closely related in terms of policy reform and decriminalization efforts. Given the relevance of these issues to our audience, we believe this news is significant and pertinent to our community.
Ypsilanti, Michigan, has recently aligned with over two dozen cities across the United States by adopting a progressive stance on the personal use of psychedelic plants and fungi, including "magic mushrooms." This landmark decision was unanimously agreed upon by city leaders on Tuesday, January 9th, signaling a shift in local drug policy.
The substances involved in this decriminalization include ayahuasca, ibogaine, mescaline, psilocybin mushrooms, and other plant-based substances known for their hallucinogenic properties. These plants, despite being illegal under state and federal law, have now been de-prioritized in terms of criminal investigation and penalties in Ypsilanti.
Larry Norris, a co-founder of Decriminalize Nature and an advocate for the policy, praised the decision. He emphasized the importance of cognitive liberty and personal spiritual growth, highlighting the resolution's significance in fostering these values.
Ypsilanti follows the steps of other Michigan cities like Detroit, Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Ann Arbor, all of which have previously adopted similar stances on entheogenic plants and fungi. The resolution passed in Ypsilanti states that any activities involving the personal use, growth, and possession of these substances should be the city's lowest law enforcement priority.
Importantly, the resolution also bars the use of city funds or resources for any law enforcement activities related to these plants. This move aligns with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office's existing policy of not prosecuting such cases.
However, the resolution does not permit commercial sales or manufacturing of these substances. It also restricts their possession in schools, prohibits driving under the influence, and addresses the potential for public disturbances.
Former Ann Arbor City Council Member Anne Bannister shared that Ann Arbor, which decriminalized these substances in 2020, has not experienced any negative consequences from this policy.
Advocacy efforts from Decriminalize Nature Michigan and personal testimonies from residents about the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic plants in treating mental health issues played a significant role in this decision. Personal accounts from individuals like Michelle Donaldson highlighted the transformative impact these substances can have, citing benefits in mental health and personal well-being.
Council Member Steve Wilcoxen recognized the historical and therapeutic significance of these plants, acknowledging the numerous studies that support their benefits in treating addiction and other mental health issues.
Furthermore, the resolution was amended to communicate its principles to law enforcement agencies outside city jurisdiction, emphasizing Ypsilanti's commitment to these values.
Ypsilanti's decision is seen as a step towards addressing systemic inequities, particularly those affecting Black people and people of color. Activist Cornelius Williams underscored the importance of municipal-level policy changes in influencing broader state and federal legislation.
With this decision, Ypsilanti becomes one of the 27 communities nationwide to adopt such a progressive approach towards psychedelic plants and fungi, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about drug policy and decriminalization.
New Buffalo Township, located near the Michigan-Indiana border, is on the verge of significantly expanding its marijuana dispensary presence. In a pivotal decision on Tuesday evening, the township's Planning Commission approved proposals for three new dispensaries along US 12, a key route leading to New Buffalo.
Currently, the region is served by a single dispensary within New Buffalo city limits and another on nearby native land, not under the jurisdiction of the city or township. The initiative to augment the area's dispensary count has been underway for approximately 18 months, with the recent approvals marking a crucial step towards realization.
The first of these new dispensaries, set to be established just past the Michigan-Indiana state line near Michigan City, is spearheaded by Native Leaf LLC. This provisioning center aims to operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., staffing five to six employees. The location, currently an unoccupied space, is expected to transform into a bustling center for marijuana retail.
A mere half-mile down the road, Bobeck Real Estate Company plans to open the second dispensary. This new establishment will join their portfolio of dispensaries, which includes Sunset Coast Provisions in Cassopolis. The company representative expressed that this addition is a natural extension of their growing business in the area.
Adjacent to this, Mitten State Engineering is set to renovate an existing building on Grand Avenue into a fully functional dispensary. This facility also plans to operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will employ a team of five.
Despite these approvals, the process is not yet finalized. The Tuesday night decision requires further confirmation, and the planning commission members indicated that it might be some time before these dispensaries begin operations. This development represents a significant expansion of marijuana retail options in the region, potentially enhancing accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
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