The Business of Cannabis

Grand Rapids Calls It A ‘Voluntary’ Program — Cannabis Businesses Say It’s Extortion

Mar 31, 2026 | Feature, Great Lakes Region, Michigan

Four Grand Rapids marijuana businesses say they’re victims of “municipal extortion,” alleging the city used threats to their licenses to extract millions of dollars for a social equity nonprofit that’s not functioning. An amended lawsuit filed in Kent County Circuit...

Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency Recognizes 21 Qualifiers in New Social Equity All-Star Program

Aug 1, 2022 | Feature, Great Lakes Region, Michigan

The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced last week the first approved gold qualifier through the Social Equity All-Star Program, a new initiative to encourage cannabis industry licensees to be proactive in their diversity, equity, and inclusion campaigns. In...

New York To Spend $200 Million On Cannabis Social Equity Properties

Jun 26, 2022 | National

New York is set to inject $200 million into the local marijuana real estate market, leasing up to 150 retail properties that will be given to social equity businesses to give them a leg up in the state’s new recreational market. The move is...

THURSDAY: Social Equity Education Session Introducing the Michigan CRA’s New Social Equity All-Star Program

May 18, 2022 | Michigan

Join the CRA’s Social Equity Team as it introduces a new initiative that encourages cannabis industry licensees to be proactive in their diversity, equity, and inclusion campaigns through its new Social Equity All-Star Program. Learn more about this recognition...

Social Equity Education Session April 14 Featuring a Conversation with Ryan Basore of Redemption Cannabis

Apr 12, 2022 | Great Lakes Region, Michigan

The Michigan Regulatory Agency’s Social Equity announced a sit-down with Ryan Basore business owner, advocate, podcast host, and much more. Join the conversation to find out how he has grown his brand after incarceration and how he uses that growth to support...