City councilman James Tate is clearing the way for Detroit residents to get a piece of the marijuana sales pie, slicing a proposed new city ordinance.
“We have taken the necessary time to craft legislation that is not aimed at excluding anyone from their goals to succeed in this market but to ensure that we legally providing a pathway towards inclusion and opportunity for residents of our city, which has been disproportionately impacted by marijuana convictions,” Tate said.
The proposed ordinance would allow adult-use recreational marijuana licensing in Detroit, and gives preference to Detroit residents in terms of the number of licenses issued, discounts on land and other incentives.
The legislation includes a social equity program (SEP), which guarantees that no less than 50% of all license types will be awarded to Detroit Legacy applicants.
“In the past when licenses for marijuana businesses become available, they tend to go to non-residents, rather than those who live in this community,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “What councilman Tate has crafted here in partnership with our law department ensures that longtime Detroit residents will have the opportunity to build real wealth as part of this lucrative new industry.”