by Ben Horner
After two years of uncertainty, Detroit has finally begun the license application process for those seeking to open a recreational marijuana dispensary within the city.
From September 1 to October 1, those hoping to be among the first to open a recreational facility in Michigan’s largest city will be allowed to apply for the first phase of Detroit’s recreational marijuana licenses.
Of the 160 licenses to be awarded in three phases, the first phase will approve a total of 60, at least half of which will be awarded to social equity applicants. To qualify as a social equity applicant, the applicant must be a qualified resident of Detroit, or another community deemed disproportionately impacted by the prohibition of marijuana. If co-owned, at least 51 percent of the business must be owned by a person who qualifies as a social equity applicant.
Of the first 60 licenses issued, 40 will be for retail, or businesses that sell marijuana and marijuana-related products. Ten will be for micro-business licenses, or small businesses that will be vertically integrated by growing, processing, and selling the resulting products of 150 plants. The final 10 will be for consumption lounges, or commercial locations that will allow adults to consume cannabis on the premises for recreational purposes.
Each category in each phase will be given an equal number of general and social equity licenses.
Phases 2 and 3 will each have 30 retail, 10 micro-businesses, and 10 consumption lounge licenses up for grabs using the same rules as those of Phase 1. Dates have yet to be announced for the next two phases.
View this article on our website.
