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.
Update: We have confirmed that the dispensary that was hit is "Cloud Cannabis" located at 16001 Mack Ave.
Detroit authorities are reaching out to the public for help in identifying individuals involved in a recent armed robbery and burglary at a local marijuana dispensary. The incident occurred early in the morning on Saturday, November 11th, around 6 a.m.
The event unfolded when two individuals, armed and emerging from a black Cadillac SUV on Mack Avenue, confronted a 45-year-old security guard in his vehicle. The assailants reportedly seized the guard's keys and cell phone before fleeing. Concurrently, three other individuals used an older Chevrolet SUV to forcibly enter the marijuana dispensary, committing burglary.
Following the break-in, the trio escaped in the black Cadillac SUV, abandoning the Chevrolet at the scene, which police later recovered.
The incident, captured on video surveillance, showed two of the suspects entering an office within the dispensary and removing two safes. The contents of the safes and whether any marijuana or other items were taken remain undisclosed.
The Detroit Police Department, actively investigating the case, has released photos and videos of the suspects. They urge anyone with information or who can identify the suspects to contact the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-5540 or to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
In a recent operation, Grand Rapids police conducted searches at two local smoke shops as part of an investigation related to a homicide case in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The suspect in the case, Julian Kelley, who is now in custody, was reportedly a frequent visitor to both locations of Flavors Smoke Shop, situated at 517 Leonard St NW and 2332 Division Ave S, as per the Grand Rapids Police Department.
During the search, authorities discovered a significant amount of illegal substances. This included over 30 pounds of bulk marijuana, numerous retail-sized packages of marijuana buds, THC vape cartridges, and THC-infused edibles. Additionally, stolen property was recovered at the scene. Some of the seized items are believed to be similar to products recently stolen from legally operating dispensaries in the area.
According to police reports, the Flavors Smoke Shop locations are not authorized to sell cannabis or THC products.
Chief Eric Winstrom of the Grand Rapids Police Department expressed satisfaction with the operation, particularly as it supported the Milwaukee police in their murder investigation and revealed criminal activities affecting the Grand Rapids community. He anticipates further developments and potential arrests as the investigation proceeds, praising the collaborative effort of the detectives and local law enforcement agencies involved.
The temporary closure of three marijuana dispensaries in Menominee, which impacted a significant portion of the local cannabis market, has ended after a 10-day halt. The affected dispensaries - Higher Love, Lume Cannabis Company, and Nirvana Center - had been forced to cease operations due to a court order, resulting in temporary unemployment for nearly 70 workers.
A crucial court hearing took place on Monday, scrutinizing the validity of the order that initially caused the shutdown. Circuit Court Judge Mary Barglind reviewed the situation, acting on a request from the city of Menominee for clearer understanding regarding the directive issued on November 3rd.
This legal tussle traces back to 2021, when Menominee chose to grant marijuana retail permits exclusively to two dispensaries, Rize and The Fire Station. This decision was met with legal challenges from dispensaries that were initially denied permits. Subsequently, following changes in the city council, a new ordinance was enacted, leading to the authorization of permits for those previously excluded dispensaries. This change sparked further legal action from Rize and The Fire Station, culminating in the recent court developments.
The simmering legal conflict in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has reached a boiling point as Menominee Circuit Judge Mary Barglind issued a definitive order on Friday, November 3rd, to close three prominent cannabis dispensaries embroiled in a contentious legal tussle. This latest development comes as a significant blow to Lume, Higher Love, and Nirvana Center—prominent players in the Michigan marijuana market with an established presence across the state.
Lume, a dominant force with nearly 40 statewide locations, Higher Love, operating six stores in the U.P., and Nirvana Center, with 13 other Michigan outlets, have been instructed to halt their operations immediately. This directive aligns with Judge Barglind's prior preliminary injunction from September 26th, which was intended to preserve the "status quo" of cannabis business activities in Menominee amidst a lawsuit involving competitors Rize, The Fire Station, and a ballot committee. This legal skirmish indicates a broader marijuana "turf war" in the city, where the initial two licensed shops—Rize and The Fire Station—are challenging the presence of six additional dispensaries aiming to stake their claim in Menominee's burgeoning market.
In an unfolding drama, the city of Menominee faces the complex issue of how to handle businesses already issued licenses in light of the court's ruling. While the city chose not to shutter these establishments, the court's clarification on October 17th declared unequivocally that businesses not operational by September 26th at 1 p.m. were not permitted to commence sales. This order has been flagrantly disregarded, prompting Rize, through representation by the Mike Cox law firm, to request judicial intervention.
Attorney Michael A. Cox, representing Rize, emphasized the court's adherence to evidence and law in its decision to close the dispensaries which had defied the court's mandates. He criticized the three companies for hiring employees under false pretenses, knowing their operations were in legal jeopardy. Before the court's clarification, however, the three businesses in question had already initiated operations, albeit in a limited capacity with curbside sales or through discreet retail openings.
Despite official reports stating that none of the dispensaries were operational by the crucial September 26th deadline, affidavits and statements from the businesses themselves paint a conflicting picture, complicating the enforcement of the court's orders.
The roots of the dispute trace back to a legal battle initiated when the Menominee City Council voted to establish a new marijuana licensing ordinance, thereby permitting the opening of at least six new cannabis businesses. This move contradicted the expectations set by a previous ordinance that granted exclusive operating licenses to Rize and The Fire Station. The latter's business plans were delayed due to litigation from other marijuana enterprises, including the three now facing closure.
Following a settlement agreement that granted licenses to these companies and a sixth entity, Rize and The Fire Station mobilized a ballot referendum to potentially overturn the settlement. In a controversial turn, the City Council employed a strategic maneuver to block public voting, invoking a clause that prohibits referendums on funding-related ordinances.
Amidst these legal entanglements, The Fire Station and Rize opened their doors in July and August, respectively. Meanwhile, the lawsuit claims violations of the Open Meetings Act by the City Council and questions the legitimacy of the new marijuana licenses issued.
The ongoing saga places the City of Menominee in a precarious position, as the legal fees of the city are underwritten by the very dispensaries now under the judicial microscope—a settlement stipulation that has raised eyebrows and court objections.
As the community awaits a hearing scheduled for November 15th, stakeholders on all sides are preparing their arguments regarding the future operations of these dispensaries, ahead of a permanent injunction hearing set for February 22nd. The outcomes of these legal proceedings will shape the landscape of the marijuana industry in Menominee, impacting businesses, consumers, and the governance of the city's cannabis policy.
With parties maintaining a guarded stance, the future of cannabis operations in Michigan's U.P. hangs in balance, awaiting Judge Barglind's final ruling that will determine the fate of these embattled dispensaries.
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