CRA Announces New Social Equity Grant Program

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November 30, 2023 – In order to further the development of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency’s Social Equity Program, following months of discussions with industry stakeholders and Social Equity Program participants, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced today the formation of the Social Equity Grant Program.

“Many of our social equity licensees have invested everything they have in their cannabis business, and they truly deserve this shot in the arm,” said CRA Executive Director Brian Hanna. “I’m excited to see how our licensees use these funds and the positive impact they can have on their employees and their communities.”

“I was honored to spearhead social equity funding in the state budget this year,” said Sen. Sarah Anthony (Lansing). “I know how important funding is for individuals who are participating in the cannabis industry but may not have the same resources as others. It is vital that we begin the process to help those who have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. These funds will go a long way in helping those in the social equity space grow their businesses and give back to their communities.”

Social Equity Grant Program funds must be spent in one or more of the following categories:

  • Funds spent on employee education may be used for an employee of the entity to take one or more classes or courses that are relevant to the entity’s business from an accredited institution.
  • Funds spent on business needs may be used towards compliance with licensing and regulatory statutes and rules.
  • Funds spent on community investment may be used on or donated to organizations, non-profits, and/or charities that positively impact the community in which the entity is located.

To be eligible to participate in the Social Equity Grant Program, entities must have a valid CRA-issued adult-use license, must currently have eligible Social Equity Program participants who have majority ownership of the entity, and must be a certified participant in the CRA’s Social Equity All-Star Program.

The application window for the 2024 Social Equity Grant Program runs from December 1, 2023 through January 26, 2024. The completed grant application must be received by the CRA via email no later than 5:00 pm on January 26, 2024. The application and instructions can be found on the CRA website.

Only one grant will be awarded per qualifying entity, regardless of how many licenses the entity has. Once it is determined how many applicants meet the criteria for approval, then each approved grantee will receive an equal share of the available one million grant dollars. [Example: 100 grantees = $10,000 per grantee.]

The CRA has scheduled an education session regarding the Social Equity Grant Program for Thursday, December 7th at 10:00 AM. The education session information is available on the CRA’s website and will also be available for replay as needed.

Social Equity Program licensees who are not yet participants in the CRA’s Social Equity All-Star Program should email CRA-SEGrants@michigan.gov for more information on how to participant in the program. This requirement must be met before a complete application will be considered for the Social Equity Grant Program.

Any questions regarding the Social Equity Grant Program should be sent to the CRA’s Social Equity Team via email: CRA-SEGrants@michigan.gov.

CRA Notifies Consumers of Voluntary Marijuana Product Recall for Sales Locations in Adrian and Gould City

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November 20, 2023 – In the interest of public health and safety, Bloomfield Development Group Grow, LLC (AU-P-000308) – in coordination with the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) – is voluntarily recalling a limited number of marijuana-infused edibles. The recall bulletin can be located here.

The marijuana-infused edibles are being recalled because the producer could not provide evidence the product is homogeneous, and the product exceeds the maximum dose of 10mg of THC per serving. In the statewide monitoring system (Metrc), the product is spelled “Sweet Cheeks White Chocolate 10 pc” and as “Sweet Cheeks” on the product packaging.

The product was sold between the dates of 6/16/2023-10/17/2023 and has an expiration date of 5/5/2024.

Sweet Cheeks

The recall applies to the marijuana product sold at the following locations:

METRC TAG: 1A4050300032C81000002408
Endo (AU-R-000653)
307 E Beecher St, Adrian, MI 49221

METRC TAG: 1A4050300032C81000001360
Bloomfield Development Group Grow LLC (AU-R-001011)
17812 US HWY 2, Gould City, MI 49838

The above sales locations must display this recall notice on the sales floor, visible to all consumers, for 30 days from the date of this notice.

Consumers who have these products in their possession should return them to the marijuana sales location for proper disposal. Consumers who have experienced adverse reactions after using these products should report their symptoms and product use to their healthcare providers.

Consumers are encouraged to also report any adverse reactions to marijuana product to the CRA by completing this Adverse Reaction Form and submitting it according to the instructions included or by phone at 517-284-8599.

A licensee that becomes aware of any adverse reactions to a marijuana product must notify the CRA and enter the information into METRC within one business day.

Questions about this recall should be emailed to the CRA’s Operations Support Section at CRA-Compliance@michigan.gov. For more information about the CRA, please visit www.michigan.gov/CRA.

CRA Summarily Suspends the Processing Licenses of Michigan Investments 10 in Pinconning

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Today, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) summarily suspended the medical and adult-use marijuana processor licenses of Michigan Investments 10, Inc., located at 772 E. Pinconning Rd., Pinconning, Michigan. The CRA determined that the safety or health of patrons or employees is jeopardized by Michigan Investments 10’s continued operation and that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.

Michigan Investments 10 currently holds a medical processor license (PR-000165) under the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA), and an adult-use marijuana processor license (AU-P-000171) under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA). Following an investigation, the CRA determined that both businesses violated numerous administrative rules under the MRTMA and MMFLA.

The CRA discovered the alleged violations after the agency conducted onsite inspections and reviews of statewide monitoring system (Metrc) data. The CRA’s investigation revealed that the businesses incorrectly entered data in Metrc, failed to properly track large quantities of product in Metrc, had product that was missing Metrc tags and could not be traced to the legal market, and could not physically locate numerous products that were in their Metrc inventory.

The CRA’s complaints also allege that Michigan Investments 10 failed to follow proper sampling and testing procedures. Specifically, the CRA alleges that the businesses failed to produce proper quantities of product for sampling to be tested and failed to properly enter test results into Metrc. Further, product that was tested at different stages showed inconsistent results. The manager of the adult-use business admitted the business used product that failed testing to “circumvent testing” requirements.

While on-site, CRA agents observed that the businesses did not have properly locked and secured doors and that video surveillance was not fully functioning or located in the correct areas. Additionally, the CRA determined that the businesses were not properly monitoring waste areas and failed to provide standard operating procedures for waste upon request.

Further details can be found in formal complaints the CRA issued today against the adult-use license and the medical license.

The CRA also issued a public health and safety bulletin regarding the affected marijuana products in conjunction with the formal complaints and summary suspension orders. The affected products are marketed under the brand “Muha Meds” and consist of vape cartridges, infused pre-rolls, and gummies.

Cannabis Regulatory Agency Announces Programs to Support Michigan’s Veterans

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In order to further support Michigan’s armed services veterans, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced today two new programs aimed at serving Michigan’s veteran population.

Task Force 1620 – a program that recognizes CRA licensees that have programming set up for safe and affordable cannabis access for veterans – and the Veteran Recognition Program – which will recognize veteran-owned cannabis businesses in Michigan – will help the CRA provide support to veterans who call Michigan home.

“This is personal to me,” said CRA Executive Director Brian Hanna, who served as a captain in the US Army Reserve from 2006 through 2012 and earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge for his 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan. “I understand the struggles that my fellow veteran brothers and sisters go through after returning to civilian life. Many veterans have told me that cannabis helps their PTSD symptoms and allows them to work and live without having to rely on powerful, addictive painkillers. These new programs will assist Michigan’s veterans by connecting them with cannabis retailers who are willing to assist.”

“As a disabled veteran, I commend the CRA’s commitment to Michigan’s veterans,” said Anton Harb Jr., an Iraq combat veteran and founder of the Veteran Access Program in Michigan. “Support for veterans was a key component of the ballot proposal when Michigan voters legalized cannabis in 2018, and I’m proud to see our state leading the country, once again, by providing these programs to our veterans.”

Task Force 1620

Licensees who have implemented a veteran access program that offers cannabis to veterans at a 75-100% discounted rate are eligible to participate in the CRA’s new Task Force 1620 program.

Retailers in Task Force 1620 will have complete flexibility regarding the details of their veteran access program and may set their own parameters on all aspects, including:

  • The max amount donated/given per veteran
  • What percentage of disability qualifies a veteran for their program
  • What amount per week/month will be donated
  • The number of veterans in their program

Licensees who are approved to participate in Task Force 1620 will have their business information and veteran access program published on the CRA webpage. They will also receive a seal to display at their facility.

The Task Force 1620 program is available to businesses licensed under the Medical Marijuana Facility Licensing Act (MMFLA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA). To participate in Task Force 1620, a licensee’s business does not need to be majority-owned by a veteran.

To be a part of Task Force 1620, businesses should apply on the CRA website. Questions regarding the Task Force 1620 program should be emailed to CRA-SocialEquity@michigan.gov.

Veteran Recognition Program

The CRA’s new Veteran Recognition Program (VRP) will recognize those CRA-licensed businesses which are majority-owned by veterans of the US armed forces. When a business is approved to be part of the VRP, it will receive a recognition letter and seal from the CRA. The ownership structure provided to licensing during the application/amendment process will be used to determine the percentage of veteran ownership. Approved licensees will have their business name and license number listed on the CRA’s website.

This program is available to businesses licensed under the Medical Marijuana Facility Licensing Act (MMFLA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA).

To apply to be a part of the Veteran Recognition Program, businesses should apply on the CRA website. Questions regarding the Veteran Recognition Program should be emailed to CRA-SocialEquity@michigan.gov.