Detroit issues first recreational marijuana licenses to 33 businesses

DETROIT – After years of back and forth and a court battle, City of Detroit it’s finally being released recreational marijuana licenses for businesses.

The approvals come four years after voters approved statewide legalization of recreational marijuana. On Thursday, the city announced the first 33 successful applicants for adult retail marijuana licenses have been approved. The city approved 13 non-equity applicants and 20 equity applicants.

Read: A Guide to Michigan’s Recreational Marijuana Laws: What You Need to Know

“Our goal from the day voters approved the sale of adult-use marijuana was to make sure we had a city ordinance and a process in place that ensures fair and equitable access to these licenses, and the courts have affirmed that we have exactly this. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. “Council President Pro-Tem Tate and our Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity and the Law Department deserve great credit for making this historic day possible.”

Under the ordinance, the city had the option of approving 20 general applications and 20 social equity applications for retail licenses in the first round.

In the category of social equality, the 20 applicants with the highest total points were approved for a license.

Only 13 applicants with the highest overall score were approved in the general license category. The next 20 applicants had a tie score that did not qualify them for a lottery selection. The other 7 general licenses will not be granted in the first round.

None of the applications received for the 10 Micro-Business and 10 Consumption Hall licenses in the First Round met all the requirements for approval.

Detroit plans to issue an equal number of general and capital retailer licenses by the end of the application rounds. Unsuccessful applicants for all license types, including Micro Business and Consumption Lounge licenses, in the first round may reapply in the second round.

You can Click here to learn more.

Capital licenses: