Medical Marijuana in MI: The growing pot economy - Opportunities ripen for new businesses

[Bozita]

http://www.freep.com/article/20091112/NEWS06/911120424/1318/The-growing-pot-economy

November 12, 2009
MICHIGAN'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The growing pot economy
Opportunities ripen for new businesses
BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


The tailspin may be over, but no one's suggesting that bedrock industries of the Michigan economy
like cars and real estate are headed for boom times again.

The Michigan marijuana economy, on the other hand, appears to be going gangbusters.

Once largely underground, activity linked to the cultivation and use of pot is now in full public view
thanks to voter approval in 2008 of marijuana use for medicinal purposes.

Equipment manufacturers, retailers, doctors, lawyers and publishers are suddenly advertising, hanging
up shingles, opening storefronts and building growing equipment all over the state.

But suppliers of the newly defined medicine -- the certified caregivers who can grow up to 12 plants a
year for as many as five clients -- are, so far, less visible in part because the distinction between
legal commerce and criminal activity isn't always clear.

"There's a whole lot going on," said Matthew Abel, a Detroit attorney who has become a sort of
medical marijuana specialist, "and it's going to keep growing."

Like a weed.

more...

[msongs]

1. legalize "grow your own" for personal use. Carrots, lettuce, tomatos,...pot nt

[Sinti]

7. +1 sounds sensible to me - it is a plant :)

[tridim]

2. Lots of cheap real estate there for setting up grow houses.

However "12 plants a year for as many as five clients" does not make a viable business.

[Bozita]

3. I took this as 12 plants a year for each client up to a max of 5 clients.

[tridim]

4. That makes much more sense. You're probably right.

Colorado is similar except now caregivers can now take on as many patients as they can handle.

Plant limits are practical, but patient limits are not IMO.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. They need this.

The Federal Government has destroyed the economy of all the rust belt states and Michigan has been hurt the most. They should legalize growing without limits and let the black market money flow into the state. Give the people of Michigan something to do other than stand in the welfare lines.

[blue_onyx]

9. Yes

I've been hoping that we would legalize marijuana entirely. I would tax it and use the money to provide all MI students with a college education. Educating our workforce is key to improving MI's economy.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Good for Michigan, I hope they turn it around.

Thanks for the thread, Bozita.:thumbsup:

[Bozita]

8. The report made the Freep's front page today.

[Gabi Hayes]

10. that guy in the picture ought to put a 7-11 next to his pot shop

bit appetite for the muncheetos, or what?