Michigan’s marijuana regulators want to promote local pot business ownership in 19 communities that have historically been impacted most by past marijuana prohibition.
The Marijuana Regulatory Agency’s “social equity program” will assist people living in Detroit, Flint and other targeted cities with their business applications and reduced fees.
Part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (2018) requires the MRA to:
“Develop a plan to promote and encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities.”
The MRA selected the communities covered under its social equity program based on: (1) marijuana-related convictions and (2) poverty rate. Counties in which the total number of marijuana-related convictions exceeded the average marijuana-related conviction rate for the state were selected. From that group, communities were selected in which 30% or more of the population live below the federal poverty level.
Agency director Andrew Brisbo says the agency would like to see 50% of the marijuana businesses in targeted communities be part of the social equity program.
“From an overarching standpoint, we want to provide an opportunity to get into the business through a number of perspectives, to individuals who might not otherwise have that opportunity,” says Brisbo.
Brisbo expects this and other efforts to create a regulated market that will help reduce the existing black market.
The 19 communities are:
Albion | Mt. Morris |
