Detroit sets plans for recreational cannabis sales

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Officials in Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, finally announced the rules for allowing licensed adult-use marijuana sales with an effort toward giving social equity applicants a leg up in the market.

The Detroit Metro Times reported that the City Council decided during a Monday meeting to allow:
  • 75 licenses for retail stores.
  • 35 consumption establishments.
  • 35 microbusinesses.

Other license types such as cultivation, event organizers and secure transporters are not capped by the city.

According to Detroit TV station WDIV, the city ordinance requires that at least 50% of the licenses be earmarked for “Detroit Legacy applicants” who lived in the city:

  • For 10 of the past 30 years and have a marijuana conviction.
  • For 13 of the past 30 years and are low income.
  • At least 15 of the past 30 years, including the past year.

Only “Legacy Detroiters” may apply for the licenses for an initial 90 days when the process begins, then the application process will be opened up to others, the Metro Times reported.

Applicants will receive a 75% discount on properties owned by the city land bank, but other funding options are not provided.