The Bad Axe City Council is set to make a pivotal decision regarding the approval of marijuana facilities within the city limits. This decision will be made during their meeting scheduled for Monday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m.
Discussions about amending the city's marijuana ordinance reemerged in early 2022. This was initiated by a decision of the city council, permitting then-Police Chief David Rothe and the current Police Chief Shawn Webber to study the approaches of other municipalities and areas in integrating marijuana facilities and businesses into their communities.
City Manager Rebecca Bachman highlighted the significance of this upcoming decision. "This is asking the council if they want to allow these establishments to come to the city of Bad Axe," she stated. Bachman also mentioned that a draft ordinance is prepared, but the council's approval is essential before moving forward with the planning commission.
The legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan occurred in 2018, following the passage of Proposal 1. However, in Bad Axe, the proposal was narrowly defeated, with 541 votes against and 534 in favor. Similarly, the broader county mirrored this opposition, with 8,261 votes against and 5,479 in favor, except for the city of Caseville, which voted in favor of the ordinance (190-179).
Chief Webber shared insights from his research into other municipalities. He noted that tax revenue from marijuana facilities substantially exceeded that from other businesses. Regarding crime rates, Webber recalled conversations with officers from Bay County, where incidents related to marijuana facilities were minimal, described as a "small blip on their radar." He acknowledged a few break-ins at such facilities across Michigan but emphasized these were infrequent and did not significantly impact local crime rates.
Since the legalization in 2018, various locales such as the city of Caseville and Oliver Township have enacted medical marijuana ordinances. Sebewaing Township has an ordinance for growing. In contrast, the city of Bad Axe voted in 2019 to ban marijuana facilities, a stance it has reaffirmed twice since.
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Community leaders in Saginaw, Michigan, are joining forces to present a unique opportunity for individuals seeking a fresh start through a free expungement clinic. This initiative, driven by a collective passion for change, aims to provide assistance to those burdened by a criminal record, enabling them to pursue a more productive and unrestricted life.
Terry Reed, a local business owner, emphasized the significance of this event for Saginaw: "We are just getting started, and we are looking forward to making a significant impact in Saginaw, a city where such efforts are greatly needed."
The clinic is organized by HELP, an acronym for Healing, Engagement, Love, and Presence Community Violence Intervention Team. It is scheduled for Saturday, November 18th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Action Center (2824 Perkins St, Saginaw, MI 48601). This clinic is not limited to Saginaw residents; it welcomes individuals from any county in Michigan seeking expungement assistance.
Pastor Michael Washington, one of the organizers, highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with criminal records. "Simple opportunities that many of us take for granted become major hurdles for them," he explained, referring to the barriers in employment, housing, and access to various programs.
Support for the clinic extends to notable figures like Saginaw Mayor Brenda Moore and State Representative Amos O'Neal. The event will feature a team of lawyers prepared to assist attendees with their records.
Kareem Bowen, the president of HELP, shed light on the profound effects of a criminal record: "Life is on hold when you're dealing with felonies. We aim to restore life opportunities to these individuals."
However, the clinic does have eligibility criteria. Individuals with more than three felonies might not qualify for the expungement process, with certain exceptions under the "one bad night" clause.
Taurus Simpson, pastor of Daniel's Den Ministries, stressed the community aspect of this initiative: "We are everyday people helping everyday people, and that's the heart of our mission."
The clinic will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the receiving lines opening at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. This event represents a pivotal moment for many, offering a path towards a brighter, unburdened future.
Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) recently took decisive action against Pinconning-based processor, Michigan Investments 10 Inc., whose products are marketed under the Muha Meds brand. The agency suspended the company's licenses citing serious concerns for customer health and safety.
The decision was made following a thorough investigation by the CRA, which revealed multiple regulatory breaches. The agency's findings showed that Michigan Investments 10 Inc. had incorrectly input data into Michigan's statewide monitoring system, Metrc, and failed to accurately track substantial quantities of their product. The investigation also uncovered products missing essential Metrc tags, rendering them untraceable to the legal cannabis market. Additionally, there were discrepancies between the company's physical inventory and its recorded Metrc inventory.
The products in question, including vape cartridges, infused pre-rolled joints, and gummies, had passed compliance testing. However, the CRA expressed concerns over their traceability, as these products could not be linked back to regulated batches of marijuana flower and concentrate. Given this lack of traceability, the agency stated that it could not assure the safety of these products.
Further issues were identified with Michigan Investments 10 Inc.'s handling of product sampling and testing. The company was found to have failed in providing adequate product quantities for testing and in correctly logging test results in Metrc. The CRA also noted inconsistencies in test results at various stages of product development.
In response to these findings, Michigan Investments 10 Inc., through a statement by employee Jenna Mullins, expressed their commitment to resolving the issues. The company acknowledged the CRA's initial administrative hold placed in September and stated that operations were temporarily resumed after addressing the agency's initial concerns. However, the subsequent suspension of their licenses came as a further setback.
In their statement, Michigan Investments 10 Inc. affirmed their dedication to providing high-quality cannabis products and services. The company expressed its intent to actively engage with the CRA to clarify requirements and work towards a prompt reopening of their facility. They emphasized their commitment to defending against the CRA's actions and assured customers of their confidence in their products.
In a significant economic milestone, Michigan's recent State House Fiscal Agency Report revealed that the state's revenue from recreational marijuana sales outpaced the combined earnings from beer, wine, and liquor in the last fiscal year. The burgeoning marijuana industry contributed a remarkable $266 million to the state's coffers, marking a notable shift in the state's economic landscape.
Bangor Township, a community in mid-Michigan, has emerged as a prime beneficiary of this development. Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley expressed his enthusiasm for the financial windfall brought about by recreational marijuana. "It's almost like the township was able to get a second job," Rowley remarked, highlighting the significant economic boost. The township received $627,000 in tax revenue from these sales, a substantial addition to its budget.
This influx of funds has been instrumental in enhancing local services and infrastructure. "This provided a revenue stream that allowed us to do a lot of things that you'd expect, like roads, clean drinking water, all the services that you would expect your government to provide to you. This helps fund it," Rowley explained. He also noted that Bangor Township was the second jurisdiction in Michigan to legalize recreational marijuana sales.
Despite initial skepticism, Rowley believes that perceptions are changing. He emphasized that the marijuana industry should not be seen through a stigmatized lens but rather as a professional and legitimate business sector. "It's not like a Cheech and Chong movie with a bunch of stoned people walking around like zombies," he said. "It's a business and it's professionals that are running them. And it's a great revenue stream for the municipalities."
Bangor Township currently hosts 11 recreational marijuana businesses, contributing significantly to the local economy. Including revenue from permits, the township's total earnings from the marijuana industry reached $902,000 in the last fiscal year. Rowley expressed his desire for further growth in this sector, acknowledging its role in funding community improvements like purchasing fire trucks and paving roads.
Conifer Insurance Co. has been ruled exempt from providing coverage for fire damage at a Michigan property used for marijuana cultivation, according to a recent decision by a state appeals court. The court found that the property owner, 23771 Blackstone LLC, did not comply with the policy's requirement for an automatic extinguishing system, leading to the denial of their insurance claim.
The ruling, delivered by a unanimous three-judge panel, supported Conifer's decision to deny coverage. This decision came despite Blackstone's argument that Conifer, aware of the property's lack of a suitable extinguishing system through its inspections, should not be allowed to refuse coverage. The court highlighted that the inspection reports were intended for Conifer's use and did not imply any agreement or understanding that would obligate Conifer to cover the damages despite non-compliance.
The property, located in Warren, Michigan, suffered a fire in June 2020. Conifer had issued an insurance policy to Blackstone in 2017, which was renewed annually. The policy included a clause necessitating an automatic extinguishing system, described as any system with connected sprinklers, discharge nozzles, ducts, valves, pumps, and tanks.
Blackstone contended that Conifer couldn't deny coverage because the insurer was aware of the absence of such a system. However, the court noted that the policy's specific terms indicated that the presence of an automatic extinguishing system was a fundamental condition of the insurance. The panel emphasized that any changes to the policy terms would require an official endorsement from Conifer, which was not present in this case.
Moreover, the court stated that while Michigan law allows for the reformation of insurance policies to reflect the actual agreement between parties, there was no evidence suggesting a mutual understanding that an extinguishing system was not required for coverage.
The panel comprised Judges Mark T. Boonstra, Michael F. Gadola, and Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, who collectively upheld the trial court's summary judgment in favor of Conifer Insurance Co.
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