Cannabis Law Group's Medical Marijuana Legal Blog
Detroit’s Second Round of Marijuana Business Licenses: An Opportunity for Equity Applicants and a Call for Expert Guidance
The city of Detroit is set to open its second round of limited cannabis business licenses, marking a significant step in the expansion of the city’s cannabis industry. Starting August 1, the city will begin accepting cannabis business license applications for a variety of licenses, including dispensaries, microbusinesses, and consumption lounges. This presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the burgeoning cannabis market, and the Cannabis Law Group is ready to provide expert guidance to navigate this process.
In this round, the city is offering 30 marijuana retailer licenses, 10 microbusiness licenses, and 10 consumption lounge licenses. Notably, half of all licenses are reserved for “equity applicants.” These are individuals who live in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. Equity applicants also include those with certified Detroit Legacy status living in Detroit or another disproportionately impacted community.
The announcement of this second round of licenses comes eight months after the city awarded 33 businesses recreational retail marijuana licenses. Following this, in early January, recreational marijuana officially became available for purchase in the city. Currently, there are 28 recreational marijuana dispensaries operating in Detroit.