On November 8th, the Three Oaks Village Council, during its regular meeting, unanimously decided to implement a temporary halt on issuing new licenses, authorizations, and special land use permits related to the sale or dispensation of marijuana. This decision affects dispensaries, marijuana retailers, and similar businesses under Village Ordinances No. 219 and No. 221, as well as the Zoning Ordinance. The aim is to pause these activities while the village makes necessary adjustments to the relevant ordinances.
This moratorium, an amendment to Title 11 concerning Business Regulations, is scheduled to remain in effect until March 20th, 2024, at the latest. Village President Richard Smith clarified that this pause would apply to both retail license applications and special land use permits.
Council member Tyler Ream emphasized the purpose of this action, stating, "We're taking a pause on accepting applications so that we can make a few tweaks to our ordinance." To this, council member Joe Hinman added the importance of also considering zoning changes. Hinman, who previously expressed support for removing the cap on retail licenses, acknowledged that such changes require time to implement.
Smith suggested that the village might be ready to proceed with new regulations sooner than expected, possibly even as early as the following month, though this was speculative.
The ordinance amendment language highlights that currently, Three Oaks has one open license for a marijuana retailer/medical marijuana provisioning center under Village Ordinances No. 219 and No. 221. With multiple entities interested in this license, the village is reviewing and preparing to vote on significant amendments to these ordinances and the Village Zoning Ordinance. The amendments in consideration include, but are not limited to, the number of marijuana retailers and/or medical marijuana provisioning centers allowed to operate in the village. The decision to pause application acceptance is to ensure these matters are adequately resolved before proceeding with new applications under the said ordinances.
In a concerning development in Washington Township, Luis Mendoza, a 29-year-old church youth leader, has been arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. Mendoza, associated with Stoney Creek Community Church, is accused of giving marijuana to a minor and engaging in grooming behavior prior to the alleged contact.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office, led by Commander Jason Abro, promptly initiated an investigation following a report from the victim's parents. "The juvenile came forward to her parents and in turn, her parents contacted the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and as we learned of this, we began our investigation immediately that day," Abro stated.
The investigation, spanning several weeks, culminated in Mendoza's arrest on Tuesday night. Abro shed light on the suspected predatory behavior, noting, "It seemed from the information that we obtained that this person began to groom the young victim." The Sheriff's Office is actively seeking information from the public and encourages anyone who may have had inappropriate contact with Mendoza, or knows of similar incidents, to come forward.
Following his arrest, Mendoza was arraigned on Wednesday. He faces charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance in community settings, particularly involving youth. The legal process now in motion aims to address these serious allegations and provide justice for the involved parties.
Update on Rick Johnson's Sentencing Case: In a recent development, the request for a postponement of former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson's prison sentence has been denied by the court. Johnson, aged 70, had sought a delay in serving his 55-month sentence due to health concerns following heart bypass surgery. Despite arguments presented by his legal team regarding his need for ongoing medical therapy and potential risks in prison, the judge has ruled against any extension of his freedom or allowance for house arrest. This decision comes as Johnson prepares to report to a minimum-security federal camp in Duluth, Minnesota, for his role in a major public corruption case involving Michigan's marijuana industry. The following article provides detailed insights into the case and the circumstances surrounding Johnson's sentencing.
Former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson, aged 70, recently petitioned for a postponement of his prison sentence, citing health concerns following a heart bypass surgery. Johnson, who was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison for accepting over $110,000 in bribes during his time overseeing Michigan's marijuana industry, is scheduled to report to a minimum-security federal camp in Duluth, Minnesota, in two weeks. The bribes included encounters with a sex worker, earning Johnson the moniker "Batman."
Johnson's legal representative, Nicholas Dondzila, requested either an extension of his freedom until February or a two-month house arrest before he begins his sentence. This request is grounded in Johnson's need for ongoing medical therapy, consultations, and potential treatments, which could be financially burdensome for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Dondzila emphasized the severity of Johnson's condition and the risks involved if he fails to receive the required treatment.
This scandal, involving Johnson and three others, including two lobbyists and a businessman, is the largest public corruption case in Michigan's capital in three decades. Johnson pleaded guilty in April to accepting bribes intended to influence his decisions as chairman of the state's medical marijuana licensing board. The other three have also pleaded guilty but have yet to start their prison sentences.
Post-surgery, Johnson has been under the care of skilled in-home nurses, dealing with a low heart rate and high blood pressure. His medical team has recommended 12 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation therapy, which they advise should be completed before he reports to prison. The defense raised concerns about whether the BOP facility can provide the necessary level of care given Johnson's serious heart condition and other health issues.
The defense's final plea was for the court to ensure that Johnson receives all necessary therapy and treatment during his imprisonment.
In October, Michigan's state cannabis authority took action against several businesses involved in the recreational and medical marijuana industry, as detailed in the latest enforcement report by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA).
The report for October, released by the CRA, documents 28 instances of regulatory issues involving various companies. This includes several formal complaints which were later withdrawn by the regulatory body.
The documented violations cover a spectrum of regulatory breaches, from lapses in security measures to inadequacies in financial documentation.
A notable case involves Aim High Meds, a retailer based in Coldwater. The business faced a $7,000 penalty for not maintaining the mandatory 30-day video surveillance archive.
In another instance, Exclusive, a Kalamazoo retailer, was fined $3,000 for the sale of expired marijuana gummies.
Additionally, RC Labs, located in Kalamazoo, was cited for failing to submit their financial statement for the year 2021.
Several businesses were flagged for multiple regulatory breaches. One such entity cited in the October report faced disciplinary action for several issues, including noncompliant sales, failure to adhere to Metrc seed-to-sale tracking requirements, and neglecting annual financial reporting obligations. Another was reprimanded for similar sales and surveillance noncompliance, along with Metrc tracking issues.
This action follows earlier concerns raised by Michigan's Office of the Auditor General regarding the CRA's delay in imposing disciplinary actions on cannabis businesses that fail to comply with regulations.
Muha Meds, a well-known name in the sector, faced a recall advisory due to critical lapses in compliance with the state's "seed to sale tracking system," known as Metrc. This incident has heightened concerns regarding the oversight and management of cannabis products in the state.
The recall advisory against Muha Meds was primarily issued due to the company's failure to properly track products in the Metrc system. This lapse in compliance led to the use of unknown cannabis oil in their products, posing potential risks to consumers. The inability to track the origin and journey of cannabis products from seed to sale is a significant violation of Michigan's stringent regulatory framework, designed to ensure product safety and integrity.
Failure in Metrc Compliance: Muha Meds' inability to accurately track its products in the Metrc system was a critical factor leading to the recall. This failure compromised the traceability of their products, a fundamental requirement for ensuring quality control and public safety in the cannabis industry.
Usage of Unknown Cannabis Oil: As a result of the tracking lapse, the company allegedly used cannabis oil of unknown origin in their products. This raises serious concerns about the safety and quality of the products being sold to consumers, as the lack of traceability means that standard safety and quality checks may have been bypassed.
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) of Michigan has issued formal complaints (AU & Med) against Michigan Investments 10 Inc., aka "Muha Meds", citing a series of alleged violations that raise serious concerns about the company's adherence to state regulations governing marijuana processing and handling. This development marks a significant turn in the CRA's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance and maintain high standards within Michigan's burgeoning cannabis industry.
The formal complaint, resulting from a thorough investigation, outlines a range of infractions, prominently focusing on areas such as surveillance and security, waste product management, and compliance with the statewide monitoring system, Metrc.
Surveillance and Security Lapses: The investigation revealed substantial shortcomings in the company's video surveillance system. During inspections, several camera feeds were found to be non-functional, and the company failed to retain video footage as required by state regulations. Notably, critical areas, including where marijuana destruction occurs, were inadequately covered by cameras, raising questions about the security protocols in place.
Waste Product Management Concerns: Michigan Investments 10 Inc. reportedly mishandled marijuana waste products. Inspectors found untagged marijuana products and discovered that the company lacked a standard operating procedure for the management of cannabis waste. The report also highlighted discrepancies in the reporting of waste products in the state-monitored Metrc system.
Inconsistencies with Statewide Monitoring System: The use of the Metrc system by Michigan Investments 10 Inc. showed numerous inconsistencies. The company struggled with accurate package tagging and recording transactions in the system. Inspectors noted discrepancies in product weights and quantities, indicating a failure in accurately tracking marijuana products, with numerous instances of untagged products and unaccounted-for inventory.
Safety Testing Non-Compliance: The company also faced issues regarding compliance with safety testing procedures. There were instances where products that failed chemical residue testing were still utilized or processed. Discrepancies were noted in the testing results for products derived from the same originating batch, casting doubt on the reliability of the company's safety compliance testing.
The CRA's formal complaint against Michigan Investments 10 Inc. is not only a reflection of the specific issues at this company but also serves as a reminder of the stringent regulatory environment that governs Michigan's marijuana industry. The agency has indicated its intent to impose sanctions that could range from fines to more severe measures, such as suspension, revocation, restriction, or refusal to renew the company's license.
As the regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards in the industry, the CRA's action underscores its commitment to ensuring that all participants in Michigan's marijuana market operate in full compliance with state laws and regulations.
The case against Muha Meds is still developing, and it remains to be seen how the company will respond to these allegations. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating the evolving cannabis industry and the importance of rigorous compliance to ensure the safety, security, and integrity of marijuana products in Michigan.
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) of Michigan has recently announced the introduction of two new programs focused on supporting veterans in the state: Task Force 1620 and the Veteran Recognition Program. These initiatives are designed to aid Michigan's veteran community in accessing cannabis and to highlight veteran-owned cannabis businesses within the state.
Task Force 1620 is a program that acknowledges CRA licensees who have established programs to offer safe and affordable cannabis access for veterans. This initiative is designed to connect Michigan's veterans with cannabis retailers who are willing and able to assist. Retailers participating in Task Force 1620 have the autonomy to set the specifics of their veteran access program. This includes determining the maximum amount of cannabis donated or discounted per veteran, establishing eligibility criteria based on the percentage of disability, deciding on the frequency and quantity of donations, and setting the number of veterans included in the program.
Licensees who implement a veteran access program that offers cannabis to veterans at a discounted rate of 75-100% are eligible for Task Force 1620. Approved participants in this program will have their business information and details of their veteran access program published on the CRA's webpage. Additionally, they will receive a seal that they can display at their facility, signifying their involvement and commitment to veteran support.
This program is available to all businesses licensed under both the Medical Marijuana Facility Licensing Act (MMFLA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA). Importantly, to participate in Task Force 1620, a business does not need to be majority-owned by a veteran. Businesses interested in joining Task Force 1620 are encouraged to apply through the CRA website and can direct their questions to [email protected].
The Veteran Recognition Program (VRP) is another initiative by the CRA, focusing on recognizing those CRA-licensed businesses that are majority-owned by veterans of the US armed forces. Upon approval to be part of the VRP, businesses will receive a recognition letter and a seal from the CRA. The program uses the ownership structure provided during the licensing application or amendment process to determine the percentage of veteran ownership. Businesses that meet the criteria and are approved will have their name and license number listed on the CRA website.
The VRP is open to businesses licensed under both the MMFLA and the MRTMA. To apply, businesses should visit the CRA website. Inquiries regarding the Veteran Recognition Program can be directed to [email protected].
Brian Hanna, the CRA Executive Director and a former captain in the US Army Reserve, shared his personal connection to these initiatives. Hanna, who served from 2006 to 2012 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge during his 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan, emphasized his understanding of the challenges faced by veterans returning to civilian life. He noted that cannabis has been beneficial for many veterans in managing PTSD symptoms and reducing reliance on potent, addictive painkillers.
Echoing this sentiment, Anton Harb Jr., a disabled Iraq combat veteran and founder of the Veteran Access Program in Michigan, commended the CRA for its commitment. He highlighted that support for veterans was a central element of the ballot proposal when Michigan voters legalized cannabis in 2018. Harb expressed pride in Michigan's leadership in providing these supportive programs for veterans.
In summary, these new programs by the CRA are a significant step towards supporting Michigan's armed services veterans, offering both improved access to cannabis and recognition of veteran-owned businesses in the cannabis industry. Through Task Force 1620 and the Veteran Recognition Program, the CRA aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans in Michigan, acknowledging their service and addressing their specific needs in accessing cannabis.
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