Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
One sector of Michigan's booming medical marijuana economy -- retail dispensaries -- took a big hit this week when a state appeals court declared their operation illegal and put them out of business.
But it's likely to prove to be a boon to another: Those who sell grower supplies.
With retail sales curtailed, an increasing number of Michigan's nearly 100,000 registered medical marijuana patients will be forced to grow their own.
The California-based franchise weGrow announced Friday that it plans to open a store with at least 10,000 square feet of floor space in Michigan by year's end.
Founder Dahr Mann said the chain, which has stores in Sacramento, Calif., and Phoenix and is developing two others, is looking for a location in metro Detroit. He hopes to expand in coming years.
Mann said negotiations with a franchisee are not complete, but said he is confident the Detroit-area location will be open by December.
Mann said weGrow franchises cater exclusively to marijuana growers, providing a single location for growing supplies, advice and training - -- even certification for medical marijuana patients. He said the Michigan store will have an in-house physician.
Michigan's medical marijuana law, approved by voters in 2008, created a fast-growing market for indoor growing supplies, boosting sales at long-established firms and fostering the creation of dozens of newcomers.
Much of the marijuana produced for patients certified under the law is grown indoors, in large part because of requirements that plants be confined in a secure location accessible only to the patient or a certified caregiver.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2011 Detroit Free Press
Contact: Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Website: Detroit Free Press
Details: MapInc
Author: Dawson Bell
But it's likely to prove to be a boon to another: Those who sell grower supplies.
With retail sales curtailed, an increasing number of Michigan's nearly 100,000 registered medical marijuana patients will be forced to grow their own.
The California-based franchise weGrow announced Friday that it plans to open a store with at least 10,000 square feet of floor space in Michigan by year's end.
Founder Dahr Mann said the chain, which has stores in Sacramento, Calif., and Phoenix and is developing two others, is looking for a location in metro Detroit. He hopes to expand in coming years.
Mann said negotiations with a franchisee are not complete, but said he is confident the Detroit-area location will be open by December.
Mann said weGrow franchises cater exclusively to marijuana growers, providing a single location for growing supplies, advice and training - -- even certification for medical marijuana patients. He said the Michigan store will have an in-house physician.
Michigan's medical marijuana law, approved by voters in 2008, created a fast-growing market for indoor growing supplies, boosting sales at long-established firms and fostering the creation of dozens of newcomers.
Much of the marijuana produced for patients certified under the law is grown indoors, in large part because of requirements that plants be confined in a secure location accessible only to the patient or a certified caregiver.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2011 Detroit Free Press
Contact: Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Website: Detroit Free Press
Details: MapInc
Author: Dawson Bell
