Barryton, Michigan, recently welcomed a new addition to its community with the opening of M66 Cannabis Company, a marijuana dispensary. The grand opening took place on December 29th at their location, 3023 20 Mile Road, which was previously an abandoned car wash. The transformation of this site marks a significant milestone in the company's journey, which began even before 2019.
Grant Nouman, the owner of M66 Cannabis Co., detailed the challenging path to opening the dispensary. The initial focus was on cultivation, but the onset of the pandemic in 2019 and subsequent market shifts in the cannabis industry prompted a pivot to retail. Despite these challenges, Nouman noted the vital support received from the local community.
The dispensary's approach includes a strong commitment to hiring locally, with an emphasis on integrating into the Barryton community. Nouman highlighted the importance of contributing to the local economy and supporting veterans, with the company employing local residents, including a veteran.
M66 Cannabis Co. boasts a comprehensive range of marijuana products, including flowers, edibles, extracts, pre-rolls, tinctures, and branded merchandise. A particular highlight is the 'Speak Easy' hybrid strain, sourced from Fawn River Cultivation Company and featuring a 22% THC content.
The company is dedicated to supporting local businesses, regularly purchasing from nearby growers and cultivators. This local focus was evident during the bustling grand opening, which Nouman described as a testament to the community's anticipation and support.
Significant renovations were undertaken on the former car wash, including the creation of a drive-through pickup lane and secure product storage. Nouman also acknowledged some initial skepticism in the community regarding recreational cannabis licensing but noted the predominantly positive response from locals.
Looking ahead, M66 Cannabis Co. plans to expand its product range, including a CBD line and offerings tailored for pets and athletes. Education is a key focus, with staff trained to advise on products suited for various medical needs.
Michael Messina, the general manager, expressed his enthusiasm for the dispensary's potential impact on Barryton. He emphasized the benefits of cannabis as an alternative to traditional prescription drugs and the positive feedback received from customers.
Nouman outlined ambitious goals for the company, aiming to increase market share and contribute to the local economy by attracting customers from surrounding areas. The company also plans to engage in community events and promote the dispensary throughout West Michigan.
M66 Cannabis Co. is actively involved in the community, participating in local events like the Lilac Festival and Barryton Days. Nouman emphasized the company's commitment to Barryton, expressing gratitude for the support received and the desire to foster strong community relationships.
As M66 Cannabis Co. continues to grow, Messina looks forward to building connections with customers and contributing positively to Barryton's community fabric.
In Howell, Michigan, a significant push is underway to introduce marijuana-related facilities, potentially leading to a ballot question in the November 2024 election. This move challenges the city's current stance, which has been to opt out of permitting such establishments since Michigan legalized medical and adult-use marijuana in 2018.
Recently, Howell's City Council received a letter from Ypsilanti Attorney Anderson Grandstaff. He represents an organization advocating for a ballot initiative to overturn Howell's ban on recreational marijuana retail businesses and to create a regulatory framework for licensing these businesses. The proposed ordinance outlines procedures for city employees to process and evaluate applications for adult-use marijuana retail licenses.
Grandstaff's letter, discussed at a recent Council meeting, emphasizes a preference for collaboration over confrontation with the City Council. It suggests the Council could adopt the substance of the ballot initiative as a municipal ordinance, potentially with negotiated amendments to better align with local interests. However, the organization is prepared to proceed with petitioning if the Council is unresponsive or unwilling to negotiate in good faith.
The letter, along with a draft of the proposed ballot initiative, is available in the packet from Monday's Council meeting. While Grandstaff did not reveal his client's identity, a community survey circulating in Howell, linked to Liberty Petition Projects LLC, seems connected to this initiative. The survey, which does not require return postage, asks residents about their views on allowing marijuana retailers in the city and how to utilize the additional tax revenue.
City Manager Erv Suida confirmed receipt of the letter and draft ordinance, clarifying that the survey is not city-sponsored. He acknowledged the need to understand resident preferences, noting that while the city has considered such ordinances in the past, there hasn't been strong local momentum for permitting marijuana facilities.
Howell's situation mirrors that of the Village of Pinckney in Livingston County, the only municipality in the area currently allowing marijuana facilities. Pinckney faced a similar push from residents, resulting in a voter-approved ballot measure. Although one project in Pinckney, "The Means," has stalled, another proposal by Marco Lytwyn of Pinckney Developments for a marijuana facility named "Essence" is in the works.
Two young adults found themselves in custody after a peculiar incident in a bustling Saginaw Township intersection on Sunday evening.
At approximately 7:20 p.m. on January 7th, Saginaw Township Police were summoned to the crossroads of North Center Road and Weiss Street. A concerned citizen had dialed 911 upon noticing a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu stationary in the intersection, with its two occupants appearing to be asleep, reported Police Sergeant Chad Brooks.
Upon arrival, officers observed through the windows of the Malibu that the two men inside were indeed sleeping. Notably, the car was in a running state, positioned in drive, but was stationary due to the driver's foot on the brake pedal.
The police attempted to rouse the individuals by knocking on the window. This action woke the sleepy duo, who then attempted to drive off. However, quick intervention by an officer, who reached inside to turn off the ignition and retrieve the keys, prevented their departure.
Sergeant Brooks noted that as the men were being removed from the vehicle, a strong scent of marijuana emanated from the car.
In response to the situation, the Michigan State Police Impaired Driving Action Team (IMPACT) also arrived at the scene. The driver of the Malibu was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence. The passenger, meanwhile, was detained due to an existing arrest warrant.
Pontiac, Michigan, is set to present a ballot proposal to its voters, aimed at amending the city's existing regulations on adult-use marijuana businesses. This move reflects a broader trend in Michigan, where the legal landscape around marijuana continues to evolve.
The proposed amendments, listed under Pontiac Proposal 1, Ordinance No. 2424, are comprehensive and detailed. They focus on various aspects of the Adult-Use Marihuana Business Ordinance, including:
Revised Definitions: The proposal seeks to update definitions for key terms such as "Applicant," "Person," "Social Equity-Qualified Business," and "Stakeholder." These changes aim to clarify who qualifies as an applicant, incorporating partnerships and limited liability partnerships, and expanding the definition of stakeholders to include any business entity owners with an indirect or direct ownership interest greater than 6%.
Enhanced Disclosure Requirements: The amendments propose more stringent disclosure requirements for applicants. This includes revealing the ownership structure of the applicant entity and identifying every individual or entity with more than a 2.5% ownership interest.
Background Checks and Age Verification: There are provisions for comprehensive criminal history background checks, including for managerial employees and others involved in the management of the applicant. Additionally, applicants and stakeholders must affirm they are at least 21 years of age.
Operational and Permitting Process Changes: The proposal suggests modifications to the marijuana business permit application process. This includes changes to the timeline for obtaining permits, setting application windows, and requirements for community engagement plans.
Scoring System for Permit Applications: A significant change is proposed in the scoring system used to evaluate permit applications, particularly for those with existing medical marijuana provisioning center permits. This includes the allocation of points for applicants and the conditions under which these points apply.
Zoning and Location Restrictions: The proposed ordinance addresses the number of conditional permits available in various zoning districts for different types of marijuana businesses, including retailers and microbusinesses.
Transfer of Location and Ownership Rules: Amendments also include provisions allowing the transfer of locations for conditionally approved medical marijuana permit holders to apply for adult-use permits in different zoning districts.
For Pontiac residents interested in the full details of Ordinance No. 2424, the document is available for review at the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Additionally, Pontiac is not the only community facing marijuana-related ballot proposals, with several other communities in the region also presenting their own amendments. More information on these and other election-related details can be found on the Oakland County Clerk's website.
Early on Monday, January 8, two marijuana facilities in Van Buren County were the targets of break-ins, prompting an investigation by local law enforcement. The incidents occurred in quick succession, with the first report coming at approximately 3:19 a.m. at Higher Breed, located at 77 E. Main Street in Columbia Township. The response from Van Buren County sheriff's deputies was swift, arriving at the scene within ten minutes. They discovered that, thanks to effective interior security measures, the burglars were unable to access rooms containing marijuana products, and consequently, nothing was stolen from Higher Breed.
Almost concurrently, at around 3:39 a.m., a break-in occurred at Canna 43, situated on County Road 653 in Almena Township. Here, the scenario was different. Three individuals successfully entered the building and managed to escape with an undisclosed quantity of marijuana products before the arrival of the police.
The sheriff's deputies, based on the preliminary evidence, suspect that the same trio was involved in both break-ins. The suspects were described as wearing hoodies, hats, gloves, and masks, concealing their identities effectively. Their vehicle was identified as a black, late-model Jeep Compass with a Michigan license plate that could not be discerned.
The Michigan State Police are assisting the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office in this ongoing investigation. The authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in the apprehension of the suspects. Members of the public can contact the investigators at 269-657-3101, Crime Stoppers at 800-342-7867, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. Additionally, anonymous crime tips can be sent to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office via text message. To do this, text "CRIMES" (274637) with the keyword VBCTIP from a mobile phone.
In a significant development for Negaunee's marijuana policy, the city's future regarding the presence of medical and recreational marijuana businesses is now in the hands of the Negaunee City Council. This follows a recent decision by the Negaunee Planning Commission, which approved a recommendation for an ordinance to permit such establishments, albeit with specific zoning restrictions.
The proposed ordinance, as endorsed by the Planning Commission, confines recreational and medical marijuana establishments to industrial zones only. David Nelson, Negaunee's Planning and Zoning Administrator, outlined the limited areas where these establishments could operate. He mentioned locations such as the Tracey Mine, Kallioinen scrapyard, areas adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility, and a city-owned industrial parcel near the cemetery.
Under the ordinance, marijuana businesses must adhere to strict location criteria. They are required to be situated at least 250 feet away from parcels zoned for single-family residential use. Moreover, the ordinance stipulates that no marijuana establishment can operate within 1,000 feet of any school.
Should the city council give the green light to this ordinance, applications for marijuana establishments will be accepted starting January 1st, as per the ordinance's language. Prospective operators must first acquire a special land use permit from the planning commission.
The ordinance also includes provisions for a selection process by the city in scenarios where multiple applications are submitted for permits to operate as either a micro-business or a provisioning center. According to the ordinance, a micro-business is defined as an entity licensed to cultivate no more than 150 marijuana plants, process and package marijuana, and sell or transfer it to individuals over 21 years old or to a marijuana safety compliance facility. However, they are not permitted to sell to other marijuana establishments.
The 2016 Michigan Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Initiative defines a provisioning center as a commercial entity that buys marijuana from growers or processors and then sells or supplies it to registered qualifying patients or their caregivers.
Regarding licensing, the ordinance caps the number of licenses for micro-businesses and provisioning centers based on the city's population. The formula allows one license for every 2,500 residents, with a scaling system for larger populations. As of 2018, Negaunee's population stood at 4,547, as reported by the U.S. Census.
For other types of marijuana businesses, such as growers, transporters, processing facilities, and safety compliance facilities, there is no population-based restriction on the number of licenses issued.
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