The city of Detroit witnessed a historic moment as Nuggets Cannabis Co., the first “Detroit legacy” recreational marijuana business, celebrated its grand opening this weekend. As part of the city’s social equity program, the black-owned dispensary, located at 18270 Telegraph, is run by longtime Detroiters Louis Radden and his aunt, Camille Hicks.
The Detroit Legacy Licensee Advantage
Being a “Detroit Legacy” licensee means that at least 51% of the business’s ownership has been certified as long-term Detroit residents, who have lived in the city for at least 15 years out of the last 30. Nuggets Cannabis Co.’s opening is a significant step forward in ensuring ownership opportunities for local residents in the burgeoning marijuana industry.
From Medical Provider to Recreational Dispensary
Louis Radden initially entered the business as a medical provider. However, he and his aunt are now honored to open one of the first recreational marijuana facilities in Detroit. The dispensary aims to provide gainful employment with reasonable benefits to the community, with 100% of its employees at the Telegraph store being Detroit residents.
A Recreational Marijuana Ordinance for Detroit
Michigan voters approved the use of recreational marijuana in 2018, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the city approved a recreational marijuana ordinance. Council President Pro-Tem James Tate played a crucial role in pushing for retail licenses, emphasizing that the ordinance aims to create ownership opportunities for Detroit residents.
Overcoming Legal Hurdles
The city experienced a significant victory when Judge Friedman ruled against a Temporary Restraining Order that would have prevented Detroit from moving forward with its current Adult-Use Marijuana Ordinance. Nuggets Cannabis Co. is one of 20 equity applicants awarded a retail license in December 2022, a testament to the city’s commitment to social equity in the marijuana industry.
The Office of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship
After a thorough two-month scoring process and review by the Office of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship, the city also awarded licenses for 13 non-equity applicants. An equity applicant is someone whose primary residence is within a disproportionately impacted community, according to city officials.
A Total of 34 Adult-Use Marijuana Retail Licenses
As of Monday, the city has issued 34 adult-use marijuana retail licenses, making it a trailblazer in addressing the generational loss experienced by communities of color. Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison emphasized that social equity means taking action to combat the years of criminalization faced by many Detroit residents.
The Impact of Nuggets Cannabis Co. on Detroit
Nuggets Cannabis Co.’s grand opening marks a significant milestone for Detroit, creating new opportunities for local residents and setting the stage for a more equitable future in the recreational marijuana industry. This historic event showcases the city’s commitment to building generational wealth and addressing the negative impact of cannabis prohibition on communities of color.
