The 90 applications for marijuana retail and lounge licenses that the city received are being kept confidential.
As the city’s long-delayed recreational cannabis program is implemented, Detroit rejected our Freedom of Information Act request for the application materials that businesses filed in order to be considered for one of the 60 available licenses.
Why it’s important Watching this prominent sector of the economy involves keeping track of who applications and who receives a license. While the number of grow licenses is unbounded, the city places restrictions on the opening of retail stores and consumption locations, making licenses extremely sought-after.
The city is making an effort to make its recreational marijuana sector fair and available to long-term residents.
The big picture: Customers can only legally purchase medical cannabis in Detroit; those seeking recreational cannabis must travel elsewhere. The adult-use sector has come here because to this licensing procedure.
Driving the news: On December 2, the city informed us that it had rejected our request because the data a cannabis business applicant submits is excluded from FOIA.
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act contains this state-wide regulation.
Yes, but according to Kim James, director of the city’s marijuana office, in a statement, the city does intend to “publish the full list of successful and unsuccessful applicants with their score based on their application” after it is finalized.
