JULY 2 • 2020 | 15
products. On one occasion, Rosman bought
an improperly labeled CBD pretzel edible.
The product ended up containing psycho-
active THC. After this experience, Rosman
and Spivak-Birndorf wanted to help create
safer products for consumers and become
involved in a growing and changing canna-
bis industry.
Now, as one of only a couple laborato-
ries in the state licensed to test adult-use
and medical marijuana, PSI Labs works to
ensure the safety of products before they
arrive at dispensaries. Their team of scien-
tists tests for potential contaminants such
as heavy metals, pesticides and microbial
contamination, along with potency. Spivak-
Birndorf says that since the opening, their
business and the cannabis industry have
grown beyond their expectations.
In 2018, legalization of adult-use recre-
ational marijuana helped expand the can-
nabis industry in Michigan. But Matthew
Abel, the founder of Cannabis Counsel,
a firm specializing in marijuana law in
Detroit, explains that the law has not paved
the way for all parts of the state.
Abel, who was one of 20 people
involved in drafting the adult-use mari-
juana bill, explains that the Department
of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in
Michigan (LARA)’
s interpretation of the
law requires city councils to pass an ordi-
nance before recreational dispensaries and
other cannabis facilities can operate in the
area.
Abel has since spent time visiting many
city councils to encourage them to opt in
to recreational marijuana. But with more
than 1,700 municipalities in the state of
Michigan, this is no easy task.
Ferndale, Hazel Park and Walled Lake are
some of the Metro Detroit municipalities
that have already allowed the sale of adult-
use marijuana. In Detroit, however, which
currently has only medical marijuana dis-
pensaries and facilities, a lawsuit is pending
that seeks to require the city to allow certain
recreational dispensaries.
On Nov. 1, 2019, the state had already
started accepting adult-use marijuana
license applications for Detroit. On Nov.
12, the Detroit City Council passed an
ordinance banning adult-use stores and
facilities. Those suing the State of Michigan
say that businesses who applied for adult-
use licenses within these 11 days should be
allowed to sell recreational marijuana.
But some businesses in the cannabis
industry have benefited from the opt-in
approach. Goldberg says that a reason his
business has been successful is because it
was located in a municipality that opted
into the ordinance, allowing him to gain a
license before others. “This put us at a tre-
mendous advantage where we could be one
of the leaders in our industry,
” he said.
Nevertheless, licensed cannabis business-
es face several other practical issues in the
state. Weinberg says that because marijuana
is not legal on the federal level, some land-
lords are afraid of leasing real estate, and
banks are hesitant to give out loans for fear
of legal repercussions.
“
As long as it is considered a schedule 1
drug, we will not be able to access the nor-
mal banking system,
” Weinberg said.
Johnson says that to combat this prob-
lem, a successful cannabis venture requires
solid investors.
Abel says that, ultimately, implementation
of the legalization of recreational marijuana
“should give more opportunity to people
who have been impacted by the unfair drug
laws.
”
Johnson, who recently issued a statement
about police brutality and cannabis criminal
justice reform on behalf of the Michigan
Cannabis Industry Association, says com-
munities of color have been disproportion-
ately affected by these prohibition laws. For
this reason, he and Sims feel their new role
in the cannabis industry is a chance to work
toward progress and equity.
“It’
s an opportunity for us to create our
own narrative, especially being minorities
working in a business that has greatly affect-
ed the Black community,
” Johnson said.
“You don’t get
many opportunities
to be a pioneer
in an industry.”
— ADAM GOLDBERG
Josh
Weinberg
GLENN TRIEST
GLENN TRIEST
Jerry
Millen
TIV
ed
nd
vin
ms,
ce.
COURTESY OF GROW CANNABIS MARKETING
continued on page 16