MRA Releases Social Equity Program Details
On July 18, 2019, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) released the details of its Social Equity Program enacted by the MRA Adult-Use Marihuana Establishments Emergency Rules.
The Social Equity Program is designed to encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people who live in the 19 Michigan communities which have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The 19 Michigan communities selected by the MRA to participate in the Social Equity Program are the following:
| Albion | Hamtramck | Niles |
| Benton Harbor | Inkster | Pontiac |
| Detroit | Kalamazoo | River Rouge |
| East Lansing | Mt. Morris | Saginaw |
| Ecorse | Mt. Pleasant | Ypsilanti |
| Flint | Muskegon | |
| Highland Park | Muskegon Heights | |
The Social Equity Program aims to positively impact the selected communities in three key areas:
- providing adult use marihuana establishment application assistance and coordinating resources,
- reduced application fees, and
- providing resources to communities and individuals who qualify for participation in the Social Equity Program.
Please note that the MRA plans to accept applications for adult-use facilities beginning November 1, 2019. The adult-use applications will still follow the same two-step, pre-qualification and facility license application, process as used by the MMFLA.
For questions about the Social Equity Program and others concerning the cannabis industry, please contact the authors of this alert or any member of Butzel Long's Cannabis Law Specialty Team.
Shanika Owens
313.983.6908
owens@butzel.com
Jonathan Kirkland
248.258.1422
kirkland@butzel.com
