Is Community Reinvestment a Treatment Plan for Social Equity in the Marijuana Industry?

 By The Friends of Cynthia A. Johnson

The marijuana industry has exploded in Michigan since 2008 into a multi-billion dollar industry. As the industry grows, the same issues remain regarding opportunity to participate thrive as a canna business owner.  The recent social equity plan for the City of Detroit that was rejected by a Federal District Court judge needs to be re-written to satisfy the plaintiffs and defendants in a court of law. The marijuana industry has exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry with the end result of little to no improvement in the quality of life in the neighborhoods. The defendants are people who are longtime Detroit residents with a vested interest in uplifting the quality of life in our community.  

Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson

We know the routine regarding unequal enforcement of laws and denial of business opportunities to people of color. The intent of the original Detroit Marijuana ordinance was to address the dis-advantages of the past.  The primary goal of the proposed Social Equity ordinance was to give lifelong Detroit residents first preference for recreational Marijuana licenses within the City to improve the quality of life..  

Yes we have medical marijuana establishments in new House District 1 that operate under a different set of rules.  Since the original ordinance developed by the business owners was rejected, the remedy for restitution is to create a new ordinance that will direct a percentage of the revenue into neighborhoods. One example of a neighborhood infrastructure project is the development of public Recreation Centers that will serve as a hub of activity within a radius 2.5 miles from any home in the City of Detroit. Another example is the reuse of abandoned Public School buildings.

As of February 2022 there are 10 black owned marijuana businesses in City of Detroit. Along with the other business and the addition of recreational marijuana, revenue from this industry can be directed to projects that will improve the quality of life. To make the ordinance have some teeth, reinvestment details must be codified.  

A meeting between the stakeholders must occur to decide what recreation structures shall be repaired, or created for a neighborhood. If the Detroit City Council and the Mayor do not approve of the plan, then it must be put to a vote of the people in the form of a ballot initiative. Once the issue is decided, then the marijuana industry will have started on a plan to do business 

As a rule, people that plan to do business in a municipality must have a written action plan that will be acceptable to residents that are within 500 feet of the business location.

Rep Johnson supports restitution from the spot of the foul in the form of a financial reparation that includes community outreach policies to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods.

If you can assist her financially, spiritually, and morally, please visit our website www.johnsonford1.com and leave you contact information. Or you can send an email to staterep5@yahoo.com and leave a detailed message.  

Otherwise be safe and hope to hear from in Lansing.