Staying Safe from Covid-19 and Creating Jobs with Cannabis

#ImRollingWithGretchen

All of those people in Operation Gridlock are wasting their time trying to recall Governor Gretchen Whitmer. There will be no need to write tickets for congregating in a group because GM, Ford, and Hyundai are making more ventilators and test kits by the hour for Covid-19.  

Fixing my damn street with Hempcrete is a saying that is catching on with some residents in the City of Detroit. There are too many pot-holes in county and local roads like Hamtramck Drive around the General Motors plant in Detroit and Oakland Avenue in Highland Park Michigan. With the use of Hempcrete to fix the streets, people will have better things to do besides trying to recall Governor Gretchen Whitmer. We the taxpayers have a lot of our money invested into the Michigan National Guard. Once mobilized, they could use the work administering tests for Covid-19 to all citizens by May 15th with a revision in the Federal Affordable Care Act to cover the costs.

#FreeGretchen

Instead of trying to recall the Governor, you would be better off getting her to sign all of the legislation that the Late Rep. Isaac Robinson got approved by the House of Representatives into law. That would include expungement reform for marijuana convictions and, amending the legislation with banning the use of marijuana against a prospective employee as a condition of employment. This is much safer than being on the capitol steps without masks and gloves from the danger of Covid-19. The major problem is Michigan State Senator Peter Lucido, who does not support the advancement of the legislation for the Governor's signature. To correct this problem you must contact his office daily and ask him to support House bill 5120 with the amendments for the Governor’s signature into the law of the land.

Website: Citizen Request Form for Gov Gretchen Whitmer

Website: Michigan State Senator Mike Shirkey - Majority Leader

Website: Michigan House of Representative Lee Chatfield 

Website: House Bill 5120 - Expungement Rep. Isaac Robinson(D) 4th District 

For the people who are going to the State Capitol in Lansing Michigan who know and don’t care that the Covid-19 is killing more black people than other ethnic groups, go straight to hell and have a good day. For the everyone else, be safe and wear a mask! Covid-19 is absolutely for real! Someone will get data right and develop a vaccine to stop this thing and Gov Whitmer will have more time to create jobs with cannabis. This is much more effective that a recall attempt.

With these changes, we can fix our streets with Hemp-Crete and, Make Michigan great again at the same time.

Vote YES twice on November 7th 2017 for Sensible Marijuana Laws in the City of Detroit

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst

On Nov 7^th, two proposals Chapters 24 and 61 are on the City of Detroit Ballot to allow the citizens of Detroit to decide to Opt-Into the State of Michigan Medical Marijuana Caregivers Act with their vote.  The highlights of the proposals are as follows:

• Opts the City of Detroit ordinance into the State of Michigan Medical Marijuana Facilities and Licensing Act
• Allows for new revenue to be reinvested into parks, recreation centers, retiree pensions, and fighting the war on poverty
• Establishes standards to regulate caregiver centers through the city's Building, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department regarding issuance, renewal and revocation.
• Amends the definition of a Drug-Free School Zone to correspond to federal and state law that requires dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, colleges and public libraries
• Dispensaries will be allowed to open within 500 feet of another dispensaries, 500 feet of exempt religious institutions where religious services are regularly conducted. 
• Removes restrictions on liquor, beer/wine stores, child-care centers, arcades and parks.
• Dispensaries would be allowed to stay open until 9 p.m.
• The new ordinance will aid in preventing unscrupulous business owners from opening a Church, or Day Care Center for the sole purpose of preventing the opening of a MMCC business.
• Adoption of this ordinance by the electorate will effectively stop Winfred Blackmon, Hazel Fludd, and their clown car full of neighborhood groups who come to EVERY Board of Zoning Hearing with frivolous claims, twisted reasoning, and false allegations. In some cases the opposition lives up to 9 miles away from a MMCC facility and talk about the places like they live next door to them.

The current City of Detroit Medical Marijuana ordinance violates tenants of the Federal Religious Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and, the US Constitution 1^st Amendment on separation of church and state. Additionally crime data from the Detroit Police Department shows that crime has actually DECREASED around the addresses of the businesses and, that they are viable tax paying entities and, that the neighborhood groups are lying to a government entity for personal gain.

Richard C. Clement with the owners of the House of Zen 14501 Mack Ave, Detroit, MI 48215

Whereas current District 2 City Council Candidate Roy McAlister is a solid NO vote on both measures, Council President Pro Tempore George Cushingberry recommends a YES vote on amending Chapters 24 and 61. If elected to City Council, Roy McAlister wants to limit and continue the shutdown of MMCC facilities by retaining the current ordinance. George Cushingberry wants to bring Detroit into the 21^st century from 80 years of prohibition policy based on racist thoughts and ideas from the 1930’s.

Website:  House Of Zen / Weedmaps.com

Adopting both measures will bring needed revenue to the city, create jobs, and revitalize some of the empty building in the neighborhoods. Another good thing is that it increases opportunities for Minority and Women owned businesses like the House of Zen on Mack Avenue who can employ people from the neighborhood, draw new business to the neighborhood and add to the quality of life. 

Vote YES on 24, Vote YES on 61, now is the time to get the job done.

A Nov 8th, 2017 Marijuana Petition Ballot Drive Is Underway In Detroit

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst


With the new state law regarding Medical Marijuana allowing local units of government to regulate businesses within their borders, local Ordinances regulating these businesses have to be redesigned. Currently, there are 4 Petitions circulating by two user organizations that will accomplish this task. The Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform and The Sons of Hemp (Website: www.sonsofhemp.org) have undertaken the challenge.

Richard Clement
Marijuana Policy Analyst
City of Detroit

All signatures on petitions need to be gathered by June 15, 2017. At least 5000 valid voter signatures are required on petitions submitted to the Detroit City Clerk’s office. For the four petitions listed above, signatures must be of voters who live IN the City of Detroit. When the signatures are certified by the City Clerk, these petitions will be given letter designations and, appear on the November 8^th, 2017 ballot to be voted on.

•           Petition 1 is to repeal the current ordinance outright
•         Petition 2 is to redesign the Licensing Ordinance
•         Petition 3 is to redesign the Zoning Ordinance
•        Petition 4 is to redesign the Licensing Ordinance with residency requirements

Petitions 2 through 4 will accomplish the same basic goal of removing liquor stores, parks, and reducing the distance between valid churches to 500ft. These proposals will open up more areas by giving the Board of Zoning Appeals wide deference to approve qualifying business.  Testimony from residents will be limited to people who live within 300ft of the proposed new business. Closed schools will not count in the Drug Free Zones along with Day Care Centers that don’t exist.  Waivers may be granted if the property owners grant their approval such as a Pastor or,  Day Care Center owner. 

Petitions 1, 2, and 3 are sponsored by the Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform, Petition 4 is sponsored by the Sons of Hemp, a group of African American Marijuana Business owners who has language modeled after the proposal in Oakland California that required 51% ownership by Detroit residents. The overall goal of all of these efforts is to improve the quality of life at the local level. For instance neighborhoods using revenue from retail sales can re-open Recreation Centers and Schools in the City of Detroit.

The people have spoken loud and clear on Marijuana with their vote many times. Look for a petition to sign at your local place of business for these local petitions and, the statewide initiative to regulate Marijuana like Alcohol to be placed on the November 2018 General Election.

Business owners reading this article are strongly encouraged to list your place of business as a petition signing center in the comments section.

So take the time to sign Petitions A, B, C, and D.  

Whatever it takes to keep the Weed Free.

   

Firefighters and Sheriffs in Michigan Benefit from Legal Marijuana Sales with Proposed New Legislation

By Richard C. Clement - Friends of Cushingberry

"Legislation will fund County Governments and Public Servants"

Michigan’s effort to legalize marijuana by legislative procedure is going to benefit counties, substance abuse agencies, and local governments.  The following package of bills passed by the Senate will create job opportunities for software vendors to bid on supplying the Marijuana Tracking System for all Cannabis business must have to continue to participate in the program. When it becomes operational, your card will be used to track the amount of marijuana each patient has purchased over time.  You will be able to possess 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana at any time in the State of Michigan.

The major beneficiary of these set of bills is the State of Michigan's 1^st Responder Presumed Coverage Fund at the tune of $500,000 from the proceeds of the Medical Marijuana Program.  The next beneficiaries are the County Governments like Wayne County who will receive 35% of all revenue from Marijuana sales. Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napolean and the 82 other county sheriffs will enjoy this cash cow on the backs of Marijuana users as soon as it becomes the law. Local governments will receive 25% of the proceeds from Marijuana for their use.

Cities like Detroit could use the money for things like rebuilding recreation centers and create green jobs in manufacturing and, education. Cities will also have the abilities to place caps on the number of businesses in their locality. Caps must be anti-discriminatory and be in compliance with Federal Zoning Laws.

The legislation places a 50 ounce limit for each Medical Marijuana Center with a valid license. Currently the City of Detroit  Building Safety and Engineering Department (BSEED) is granting conditional waivers to new marijuana business owners on the grounds that the owner works to bring the location up to code. BSEED is very generous and confident that business owners will do the right thing to be legal.

A brief analysis of the bills are as follows:

HB 4209 - license and regulate medical marijuana growers, processors, provisioning centers, secure transporters, and safety compliance facilities;  This bill creates a marijuana licensing board, an automated tracking system, an advisory panel, provisions for forfeiture, defines tax rate,  and sets civil fines. This bill grants powers to State and Local Governments to define duties regarding Marijuana in the community

HB 4210 – Gives specific definition of the content of medibles (non smoke able) Marijuana. Also spells out procedures for violations of the provisions of the card:

•       16 Ounces of Solid Medible Marijuana (brownies, cakes,  etc.)
•          7 Grams for using in a vaporizing pen
•       72 Fluid Ounces of liquid marijuana

Outdoor growing is allowed as long as the medicine is out of sight from the street, in a secure location and locked.  Security could be a dog, camera and lights so that other people don’t rip you off. Companion Senate Bill 0141 introduced by Senator Coleman Young seeks to address the inequities of this bill like vehicle transport and other issues that must be worked on by the House of Representatives for a compromise.

HB 4827 – This bill will allow software companies to bid on the Marijuana Tracking System because it defines the specifications for the developers to use in designing and implementing the Statewide system.  This bill will track the sales of marijuana between patients and the growers who interact with retail sites.

In summary, these pieces of legislation have a lot to be desired. The transport law that was enacted by former State Senator Virgil Smith has been declared unconstitutional by courts in the State because it exceeds the current Michigan Medical Marijuana Law.  The three tier system for growing will open up opportunities for growers, testers, and manufacturers.  Local law enforcement will be released to go after Meth and Heroin users who are really destroying the neighborhoods and the country with their drug of choice. 

Michigan Supreme Court
Candidate Judge Deborah Thomas
www.judgedeborahthomas.com

To fix this you must vote in the upcoming general election by turning over the ballot and voting for Judges that will make the proper change like Judge Deborah Thomas will if she is elected to the Michigan State Supreme Court. You have until October 11^th, 2016 to register to vote in the November 8^th General Election.  You can start voting on September 24^th, 2016 at 5 locations in the City of Detroit or, your local City Clerk’s office if you don’t live in the City of Detroit.

Detroit Marijuana Business Owners Challenge New Ordinance in the US District Court of Eastern Michigan and Gets Results!

Richard Clement  - Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

On July 12, 2016 Judge Avery Cohen of the United States District Court Eastern District of Michigan Southern Division agreed with plaintiffs Sons of Hemp against the City of Detroit regarding the new Medical Marijuana Ordinance 3-15. (Case# 16-11492 - Sons of Hemp v City of Detroit) The court deemed this matter appropriate for a decision without an oral argument. Judge Cohn ordered that this case be remanded back to the Wayne County Circuit Court to re-hear the plaintiff’s arguments.

The Sons of Hemp are a group of African American Marijuana Business owners in Detroit who are being adversely affected by this new ordinance going into effect. %100 of all African American owned businesses would be shut down if this ordinance was put into full effect.

Judge Cohn remanded the case back to Wayne County Circuit Court to allow the Sons of Hemp to bring up their arguments regarding their Federal and State Claims of:

• Unconstitutional taking of property
• Violation of equal protection laws
• Violations of due process per U.S.C. 42 of 1983 and State Law (MCL 600.2918)
• Violations of 1st Amendment protections from Freedom of Religion

Detroit City Attorney Eric Gaabo agreed with the plaintiffs’ claims to argue these points based on Title 42 U.S.C. 1983 and 1985 because the ordinance violates their right to equal protection because it treats them differently than pharmacies.  Judge Cohn concurred with the plaintiffs and remanded this case back to Wayne County Circuit Court.

It is currently legal for a caregiver to dispense medicine to their patients and transfer to other patients from any private home in Detroit. Given the unpleasant choice of conducting business in the neighborhoods, the City prefers to have the traffic on the B1-B4 Zones to keep it out of the neighborhoods.  Federal law prohibits the use of religion in the zoning of property because it violates the 1st amendment regarding religious freedom. 

The ordinance as it is written is un-constitutional and cannot be enforced in it’s current state.  The ordinance adversely affects Marijuana Business owners in Detroit with over-regulation and, it must be re-written to remove any vestiges of racial and religious discrimination. Additionally arguments regarding the use of Drug Free Zones to specifically attack Medical Marijuana businesses in Detroit can also be brought up in a State Court of Law. As it stands now, the Detroit Marijuana Ordinance is suspended until it can be re-heard in Wayne County Circuit Courtroom at a date to be named later. 

The 2016 American Election. The Life of Marc Emery, Canada's Prince of Pot Shares his Life Story in America's Drug War

By Richard C. Clement -  Marijuana Policy Analyst

Who is Marc Emery and why is his struggle is important to you as a Voter in 2016.

Mr. and Mrs.
Marc Emery

Marc Emery is a Canadian Citizen and a marijuana activist from Vancouver British Columbia. He was labeled a criminal and ranked as a major terrorist by Attorney General Alberto “I love to Waterboard Weedheads” Gonzales who was appointed by the George W. Bush Administration. His crime was shipping Marijuana seeds around the world including the United States of America. In 2009 and at the request of the United States, Marc was extradited and arrested from his home to spend five years in a Federal correctional facility in Mississippi. While he was in jail, another man by the name of Irving Rosenfeld from Florida was and still is getting the equivalent of 2 free ounces a month grown in the same state grown for his personal use. Mr. Rosenfeld is the ONLY person in the USA who can legally use Marijuana in all 50 states without criminal penalty and, has smoked over 115,000 joints all supplied by the United States of America at the University of Mississippi in Oxford MS.

August 12, 2014

Marc Emery spent 4 years in federal prison and earned 235 days of good conduct credit and was released on August 12^th, 2014 at 4:00pm.  When international prisoners get released, they are sent back home to the closest city to where they lived.  In Marc Emery’s case, he was kicked out of the USA via Windsor Canada and dumped off at the tunnel entrance in handcuffs in a T-shirt, Shorts, a new pair of Nike sneakers, and $150 in US currency. The intent was to make him suffer and walk back to Vancouver British Colombia on Canada’s west coast. In other words he got kicked out of the country like Dolomite except he did not get the damn good meal.

Marc's Final Blog as a Drug War Prisoner in America

Weed Warrior and Mrs. Jodie Emery

When America had people like Harry Ainslinger conducting a racist drug war against black people in 1932, Canada had whackos like Prime Ministers Stephen Harper, William Lyon Mackenzie King and, author Emily Murphy who published a book in 1922 that started the ball rolling against marijuana. She created the current situation in Canada regarding the plant (CBC Canada Report on Why Weed was Made Illegal). To this date Canada has NO IDEA WHY Marijuana was made illegal in the first place. There were no seizures in Canada until they linked up with the American Mr. Anslinger who hated African Americans like Billie Holiday with a feverous passion while praising Judy Garland even though they both used heroin.

Mark Scott Emery

Why does Marc Emery’s life story matter to Americans?  It is what he did AFTER he was released. Mr. Emery carried no bitterness toward his captors and was very complimentary to them when he was released. However, he vowed to register one million Canadian Citizens to vote and to campaign against Prime Minister Stephen Harper who sent him to the dogs in America.  On October 19^th   2015, his efforts paid off with the election of Justin Tredeau as the new prime minister of Canada.  Mr. Tredeau has vowed to legalize Marijuana in Canada at a Federal Level.  This is a game changer on many levels and one day you may be able to cross the border with your medicine just like you do with Vicodin, OxyContin, and aspirin. The revenue from Cannabis may help the United States to pay off the loan for the Gordie Howe Bridge from Canada earlier than 30 years on tolls. That is important to Detroiters and Americans who support the reform of marijuana laws.  

This year do not take the power of your vote lightly because you will have a list of people who are running for elected office in the Michigan August 2^nd, primary. Take note of who is running for Judge and the Michigan House of Representatives in Lansing. 

You have the power in your hands to shape the future of your City, State, and Nation when it comes to Marijuana policy with your vote. Please make sure to start from the back of the ballot and work your way to the front. This is a guaranteed way to make sure you are electing Judges who support and think like you. No one should go to jail for a plant and it is time to turn up the turnout and vote early and by absentee.  No Detroit based Marijuana business should be subjected to a Drug Free Zone restriction in another municipality like Dearborn or in Counties like Oakland and Macomb. No Pastor, Reverend or Drug Free Zone School in Oakland or Macomb County on 8 mile, especially in Royal Oak Township should be dictating ANYTHING to someone in Detroit regarding a marijuana business. Wayne County has its own set of rules and a county executive, prosecutor, and Sherriff that is doing a good job.

So stay tuned and look for the official 420 slate of potential candidates who will support laws in Detroit, Michigan, and America because, we want progressive non-partisans, republicans and democrats who want to end the War on Weed.

How to Open a Marijuana Care Center in the City of Detroit – State of the Bud Report

By Richard C. Clement - Marijuana Policy Analyst

       Starting a Medical Marijuana Business in Detroit has been made much easier because of the work of CIO Beth Niblock and Department of Innovation Technology Director Chuck Dodd. Detroit is leading the way in Information Technology in the State of Michigan. The City of Detroit is the ONLY municipality in State and Local Government that has a true Marijuana Information System that can handle documents including pictures in *.jpg format.   

To start a Marijuana based business in Detroit you must follow these steps:

1. Begin 

2. Find a legal* location and; purchase the building or, pay rent to the owner of the property. 

3.  Fill out a Marihuana Application on the City of Detroit’s website

               a.       If you are approved then you can pay your $1160 fee by clicking here

4.  Fill out a Building Permit Application on the City of Detroit’s website 

5.  Fill out a Board of Zoning Appeals

               a.      If approved pay $1200 by clicking here then skip to step 6

               b.      If Denied then for $1500 dollars you can appeal your BSEED denial
                                        i.      If denied appeal to the Wayne County Circuit court and skip to step 6.

6.      Apply for a Business License Application (under construction as of 4/13/2016)

7.      End.

The Cost of Doing Business With Marijuana in the City of Detroit
Site Plan Review (Due Upon Filing)	$160
Conditional Land Use Hearing (Due Upon Filing)	$1000
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing(s)	$1200  Variance $1500  BSEED Denial (if necessary)
Building Permit or Change of Use:  Based on the cost of the construction.	$150  Minimum
Business License Application	To Be Developed

From Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones:

Council President
Brenda Jones

“At this time no one has been granted a license to operate and no zoning variances have been granted. 66% of the current applicants do not live in the City of Detroit. Out of the 195 applications 74 of them are in drug-free zones. The City Assessors office is currently conducting real time analysis to confirm the validity of the current drug free zones.”

While the Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform withdrew their lawsuit (Case# 16-004185-AW Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform v Janice Winfrey, Detroit Election Commission, City of Detroit), the Sons of Hemp has filed another one against the Detroit’s Marijuana ordinance (Case No. 16-004201-CZ JONES, RONALD, ET AL. V THE CITY OF DETROIT). This is a group of homegrown longtime Detroit residents who own businesses that are severely impacted by this ordinance. They position is that this ordinance discriminates against native Detroit residents of color and the religious beliefs of their membership. With help from the Wayne County Circuit Court, this ordinance could be modified to remove some of the most heinous restrictions like being 1000 feet from an empty church and, a money losing golf course for example.

Another restriction is the rule of Medible Marijuana that allows haters of Detroit to promote the idea that people will be getting their doors kicked in because of brownies and medicated butter on Grits or Hash Browns, Eggs with Toast and a Sausage.  This is a provision in the ordinance that can be eliminated because the people promoting this idea have stockpiled their Medible Marijuana in places like Allen Park and Ferndale and use this to drive business to their locations by bashing the City leadership and its residents.  

Johnson Recreation Center
Closed

Some of the churches and day care centers listed in the City’s database do not exist and in District 2, the long closed Johnson Recreation Center on Cherrylawn and Chippewa, and the School next to the rec center is being used to shut down marijuana businesses on 8 Mile Road.  Owners of these businesses are strongly urged to appeal this to the Board of Zoning and Wayne County Circuit Court.  Shutting down businesses on bad data is a bad deal for everyone because it is removing taxpaying businesses unfairly and without malice.

No injunction has been granted as of yet however and, the City is currently taking applications for Marijuana Caregiver Centers.  Potential owners must have a site plan and $1160 dollars down to reserve your location within City Limits.

If your potential property is located on the border in the City of Detroit, and schools in parks are across the street from your location in another city, (Warren, Ferndale, Dearborn, Grosse Pointe (all), Redford, et al) their property has no bearing on your City of Detroit application. Meanwhile court proceedings will address the challenges by owners and, BSEED inspections will continue. 

Detroit Business Owners Unite to Re-Write the Detroit Marijuana Ordinances passed by City Council

by Richard  C. Clement
     Marijuana Policy Analyst

        Canna-Business owners feel slighted by the new and proposed ordinances to “regulate” all the Marijuana shops in the City because, they were left out of the planning phase. To correct that issue and others, the Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform is sponsoring a petition drive to place the issue on the August 2^nd, 2016 ballot as a referendum. 

         Business owners feel that this ordinance was designed to eliminate ALL Marijuana businesses in the City of Detroit. The remaining few spots that are eligible are already owned by people that are waiting for the ordinance to take effect and eliminate the competition.  The focus on shutting down 211 Marijuana Care Centers through zoning laws is creating an adverse effect on owners who want to get fair and equal opportunity to be a part of the 100+ Billion dollar pie of Marijuana.

         Currently, the City of Detroit has over 11,000 empty buildings within its limits. As always businesses that are owned by African Americans will be the first ones to be shut down. Places like G3 on 8 mile and Hubbell will be closed down and, the buildings will become vacant again.  What the business owners want is fair treatment as a legitimate business and Sensible Cannabis laws in the City of Detroit. The business owners are proposing that there only be one regulation cana-businesses with a 1000ft buffer regulation that only includes Schools and, Libraries.

The current regulations like 1000 feet from a church is un-constitutional and may face a court on the issue of separation of church and state.  The ordinance gives the appearance of collusion with specific owners to eliminate the completion to drive up prices for everyone.  We want transparency in our operations as a Government, and as a service organization to the citizens of Detroit. Therefore starting on Feb 24^th, through February 29^th, the Woodward Avenue Business Owners Association is sponsoring a petition drive at 3 of the four locations on the strip. 

• Miles Green Acers  19010 Woodward Ave Detroit MI 48203
• Tribute Detroit 18830 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48203
• Green Cure 18002 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48203 

Other Locations in The City of Detroit:

• Green Zone Wellness 13707 W McNichols Detroit MI 48235
• Peace of Amsterdam 18665 W 8 Mile Detroit MI 48219

At these locations, you can find petitions to address the Zoning and Licensing issue so that they can be placed on the ballot as a referendum question in the August 2^nd, 2016 Primary Election. Register to vote forms may be available at these locations also to let your voice be your vote. 

The Presidential primary on March 8^th, 2016 is ready to take on people that are interested in voting early at the Detroit Elections Bureau at 2978 Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48203 or the 2^nd floor of the Coleman Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue Detroit MI 48226. You must declare your party preference before you cast your vote for as a Democrat or, a Republican so vote early and don’t be late.

Notice of Public Meeting 11/16/15 - Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform

by Richard C. Clement

An informational meeting regarding the City of Detroit’s new Marijuana laws will be held on November 16, 2015 at 7pm at the Northwest Activities Center. This meeting is sponsored by Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform to address the provisions of the new ordinance that are totally contrary to the will of people.   If no action is taken, this Ordinance will be implemented with immediate effect.  All owners will be served a notice to cease and desist from doing business and, be given 30 days to shut down. However, if a people inspired ballot initiative to repeal the objections in the ordinance is signed by 5000 people, the ordinance will be suspended until a vote of the citizens is taken in the next general election.  This process will also enable you to add things you want as a citizen with the ballot language.

We invite you to come to this meeting to be informed and enlightened about the many benefits of licensing and managing products from the Cannabis plant that will create jobs.  On WHCB1200AM Detroit, with Midred Gaddis, a caller said that Churches don’t create jobs.  This is not true because a lot of the Churches do a lot of excellent work in rebuilding homes.  With the removal of the 1000ft barrier, material like drywall, concrete and, an entire home can built with the plant.  This includes the buildings that are occupied by cannabis entrepreneurs who pay property taxes and pay utility bills.  

We want new business owners to respect the new neighbors by doing a community benefits agreements with the neighborhoods to UPGRADE the quality of life in the City of Detroit.  Urban gardening would benefit young and old alike because would learn how to grow food, medicine, and agriculture properly. Detroit Citizens are some of the best urban gardeners in the world who made the City much better because they take the time to do it right!

So if you want to have your voice truly heard regarding sensible Cannabis laws, please make plans to attend this meeting.

Elections Canada 2015 - We Endorse Justin Tredeau for Canada's Next Prime Minister

By Richard Clement

Vote Canada Oct. 19th

On October 19th, our friends across the Detroit River will be selecting a  new Prime Minister and, we hope they select Justin Tredeau. Justin's father was Piere Elliot Tredeau one of Canada's most successful Prime Ministers(wiki definition Click Here). 

In 1969 he commissioned a study to decriminalize Marijuana so that people would not clog a corrections systems with small time drug offenders(click Here for Toronto Star News)

He also was a statesman because he could get along with everybody and treated people with respect. He is a change agent and, will be a good person for the Canadian people because of  his progressive stance on ending the War on Drugs against people.  He will spur better trade between the United States and, Canada through Detroit.  He will solve the differences with the Moroun's on the riverfront and, allow a creative repayment plan for the loan for the bridge by using Industrial Hemp as a commodity to retire the debt. (Click Here On Howe to Pay For A New Bridge)

We hope that the Canadian people  Elect Justin Tredeau, as Canada's next Prime Minister.

Meet Justin Tredeau www.liberal.ca/meet-justin

The Future of Cannabis in The Future of Detroit. Where are You?

by Richard C. Clement

In order for true Marijuana Reform in Detroit, the failed policy of the late Harry Anslinger must be put to rest. Marijuana is improperly classified as a Schedule 1 drug with no medical value because people like Mr. Anslinger were paid off by an industry who wanted to use wood for paper instead of a durable product of Industrial Hemp.  Mr. Anslinger was a bigot who hated African Americans so much that he was spreading false and misleading information that Marijuana made White Women desire sex with Black Men, made Black people think they are superior to Whites and, influenced religious leaders to say that Marijuana was created by the Devil.

It is this group think mentality that is the primary driving force behind the current policy that we are following today of incarceration for Marijuana crimes and the arrested development of the numerous potential benefits of using the Cannabis plant.

The following ordinance proposed by Council-member James Tate will remove 90% of all Medical Marijuana businesses from the City of Detroit through the bizarre use of zoning regulations.  If this becomes law, Medical Marijuana Businesses will be subjected to following restrictions in the City of Detroit.

• Be at least 2000 feet away from each other “Controlled Uses Stores”
• Be at least 1000 feet away from a School, Public Park, Church, or Religious Institution
• Located only in Detroit Business Zones B4-B5 and M1-M5

Additionally, all drive through businesses that dispense Medical Marijuana will be eliminated.

This proposed ordinance is contrary to the will of the majority of the citizens who vote and patronize these places of business.  Yet these same patrons can drive up to places like CVS and Walgreens to get some of the most dangerous drugs that cause, heart attacks, suicides, and impotence. The numerous examples of Liquor Stores and Churches that are much closer than 2000 feet from each highlights the glaring contradictions of this proposed ordinance.

The singling out of drive through businesses as a public nuisance is troubling because if a drive through is good for Chase Bank then Pot should not pose any additional problems.  Will this extend to Marijuana Vending Machines in a private place? This proposed ordinance will force some MMJ owners to re-define their businesses as a place of sacramental worship as a religious institution to protect their investment into the re-construction of their property.  The religious argument to rezone Marijuana businesses may be against the tennants Religious Freedom Restoration Act that can be argued in a court of law.

Citizens who support these businesses are strongly urged to contact all of the elected leadership of the City of Detroit to voice your concerns and propose changes.  If the leadership does not listen then you the people have every right to initiate a people driven petition to create a NEW ordinance that will meet the people’s needs.

The real question is how is the City of Detroit and the residents going to benefit from the emerging Marijuana Industry?

• First the proposed ordinance must demand that these businesses remain open and protected from prosecution by law. 
• The Ordinance will create a City Department of Marijuana Management that will manage business needs with a nominal application fee of $1000.
• The Department will be responsible for managing the needs of the business owners with services including but not limited to the following: 
• The hiring and training of Certification Testers to evaluate and grade Marijuana being sold or transferred in the City of Detroit. 
• Providing a directory of Marijuana Businesses providing Faith Based Services and resources to Military Veterans, Retired City and Wayne County Employees with PTSD and other symptoms treatable with Cannabis.
• If some businesses are performing faith based services to clients and customers you may be eligible for a religious exemption as a faith based institution performing services under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Examples of providing faith based services are:

• Using Cannabis to treat Veterans and Public Servants with PTSD symptoms from serving in Government.
• Examples of (but not limited to) military service, working as a teacher, firefighter, Police Officer, or Civil Service appointee.
• Providing Rick Simpson Oil to Cancer and Autism patients or any condition treatable with cannabis.

If you feel that the propose ordinance does not fit your needs, the people have opportunity to enact a ballot initiative to allow the people to decide on the issue of Marijuana Policy in the City Of Detroit and, its direction in the future of our City.

If you are a patron of any Marijuana Business and, want to see the revenue from Marijuana sales and manufacturing benefit the people. Then we are urging you to do the following:  

1. Supporters of Marijuana must call and have meetings with your City of Detroit Elected Leadership to voice your support or opposition.
2. Propose fair and equitable guidelines for building reuse as not to discriminate or deny opportunities to improve the quality of life through, entrepenuership, apprenticeships and higher education.
3. Be prepared to sign a proposed ordinance to clarify the existence and direction of Manufacturing, Medical and Recreational Marijuana in the City of Detroit.
4. Register to Vote, Sign the MI legalize petition, and actually Vote.

The future of Detroit includes the benefits of using the byproducts of the Cannabis plant. Don’t let others who do not have the best interest of the people in mind determine the Detroit Future. Education grow academies and curriculum policy change in public education will expand the importance to the youth to pay attention in class instead of harassing the teacher and dogging the “guest” teachers. To protect all of the children, some students need to really quit clowning around and get serious in the classroom.  Especially in subjects of Biology, Science, Math,  Hortoculture , Electronics, Solar Panel Engineering, Manufacturing, Algebra, and Technology.  As far as music skills, learning how to play an instrument will carry youth a long way in the educational journey of life. For some it might lead to a nice career and pay your way through school at the same time.

The tactical use of Marijuana will create better quality of life with the creation of jobs in manufacturing of concrete for roads, drywall products for home constructions, create bio-fuel for City vehicles, more money for education, and a revenue stream for Wayne County and the City of Detroit. 

We are one 2016 Presidential Election away from continuing the change or, going back to the failed policies of Harry Ainslinger that creates a thriving system asset forfeiture, incarceration for small amounts of Marijuana, building more jails to create more felons than fellowships, putting Canadian Citizens like Marc Emery back in a US Jail in Mississippi at the same time allowing Irving Rosenfeld to legally use Marijuana in all 50 states that is not grown at Alcorn State University in Lorimar MS but somewhere else, and so on.

Therefore it is imperative that you be a good citizen and peacefully petition our government to change the policy on Cannabis to improve the quality of life for the Citizens of the City of Detroit.

If not, then in 2017 President Chris Christie will open a drive through incarceration facility at the “newly completed” Wayne County Jail for Marijuana, while charging increased user fees at the local drive through, fast food restaurants.

Richard C. Clement – Legislative Aide & Marijuana Policy Consultant

"Free The Weed for the Jobs We Need"