State holding social equity marijuana business outreach sessions

    By
    Susan J. Demas
    -
    Image by Rex Medlen from Pixabay

    The Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) in July announced its Social Equity Program that aims to offer reduced fees and technical and professional assistance to those seeking to start cannabis businesses in communities disproportionately impacted by criminalization.

    The MRA’s social equity team will hold free education and outreach sessions to promote and encourage participation in the licensed marijuana market. Register here.

    Attendees will receive information about qualifying for and participating in the social equity program and the adult-use licensing process. There will be several state agencies available to provide information applicable to the licensing process, and other marijuana industry resources providing information important to a licensed marijuana business.

    State unveils program for budding weed industry in areas hit hard by criminalization

    Beginning Friday, the online adult-use application will be available to the public to complete and submit to the MRA. Participating in the Social Equity Program allows qualifying applicants to benefit from a reduction of up to 60% off the application fee, the initial license fee and future renewal fees.

    Sessions are scheduled for:

    • Saturday, Nov. 2 at 11 a.m., Booker T. Dozier Recreation Complex, 2025 Middlebelt Rd. in Inkster
    • Monday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m., Conley Library, 4600 Martin St. in Detroit
    • Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m., Isabella Commission on Aging, 2200 S. Lincoln Rd. in Mt. Pleasant
    • Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m., Benton Harbor Public Library, 213 E. Wall St. in Benton Harbor
    • Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m., Muskegon Community College, 221 Quarterline Rd. in Muskegon Heights
    • Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 PM Place: Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, 100 East Cross St, Ypsilanti
    • Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m., Ruth Peterson Community Center, 990 Joslyn Rd. in Pontiac
    • Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m., Saginaw Hoyt Main Library, 505 Janes Ave. in Saginaw
    • Monday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m., Berston Field House, 3300 N. Saginaw St. in Mt. Morris
    • Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m., Coldwater Branch District Library, 10 E. Chicago St. in Coldwater
    • Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m., Township Meeting Hall, 7275 W. Main St. in Kalamazoo
    • Thursday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m., Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St. in Niles
    • Monday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m., East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Rd. in East Lansing
    • Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 11 a.m., Michigan Works Ogemaw, 2389 M-76 in West Branch
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    Susan J. Demas
    Susan J. Demas is a 19-year journalism veteran and one of the state’s foremost experts on Michigan politics, appearing on MSNBC, CNN, NPR and WKAR-TV’s “Off the Record.” In addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief, she is the Advance’s chief columnist, writing on women, LGBTQs, the state budget, the economy and more. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Farough & Associates, Michigan’s premier political communications firm. For almost five years, Susan was the Editor and Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, the most-cited political newsletter in the state. Susan’s award-winning political analysis has run in more than 80 national, international and regional media outlets, including the Guardian U.K., NBC News, the New York Times, the Detroit News and MLive. She is the only Michigan journalist to be named to the Washington Post’s list of “Best Political Reporters,” the Huffington Post’s list of “Best Political Tweeters” and the Washington Post’s list of “Best Political Bloggers.” Susan was the recipient of a prestigious Knight Foundation fellowship in nonprofits and politics. She served as Deputy Editor for MIRS News and helped launch the Michigan Truth Squad, the Center for Michigan’s fact-checking project. She started her journalism career reporting on the Iowa caucuses for The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. Susan has hiked over 3,000 solo miles across four continents and climbed more than 60 mountains. She also enjoys dragging her husband and two teenagers along, even if no one else wants to sleep in a tent anymore.