The Detroit City Council recently voted to allow adult-use cannabis sales in the city, following a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman in June 2021 that halted Detroit’s controversial recreational marijuana licensing program indefinitely.
On April 5, 2022, the Detroit City Council members voted to approve the revised ordinance that will go into effect beginning April 20, 2022. Under the ordinance, a limited 100 recreational marijuana licenses will be made available, half of which will be set aside and reserved for “social equity applicants.”
The revised ordinance also now allows for licenses of microbusinesses and consumption lounges. Separately, licenses issued for growers, processors, or secured transporters are not limited under the ordinance.
In November 2020, the City of Detroit announced its rules for allowing licensed adult-use recreational marijuana sales, which included controversial provisions aimed at giving preferential treatment to applicants if they fit into the criteria. These rules gave rise to a lawsuit filed on March 2, 2021, in Wayne County Circuit Court. In April 2021, Detroit officials were barred from receiving any more marijuana business applications, followed by the licensing program’s total suspension in June 2021.
At Fraser Trebilcock we have a strong litigation department that has handled multiple lawsuits in the cannabis field and are able to assist you if you believe you are entitled to relief. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Paul Mallon or your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.
Paul C. Mallon, Jr. is Shareholder and Chair of Fraser Trebilcock’s cannabis law practice. You can reach him at pmallon@fraserlawfirm.com or (313) 965-9043.