Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions photo)
There's a high bar to enter Michigan's regulated marijuana industry — even if you're legendary ex-Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
A state licensing board has reportedly denied an application by Johnson and his business partner, former Detroit Lions player Rob Sims, to start a marijuana venture that includes a dispensary and grow operation. The reasons? Johnson has unpaid traffic tickets in Georgia, and Sims owns houses in Dearborn that lack certificates of occupancy.
The Free Press reports the stickler for the rules — as usual — is ex-cop Donald Bailey, who sits on the board that awards lucrative marijuana business licenses.
“One is nine years old and one is four years old and there are warrants out,” said board member Donald Bailey, a retired Michigan State Police officer who has voted to deny many licenses. “They’re minor, maybe even meaningless, but the problem is their response. We’re entering this highly regulated market. And if this is their response, that’s a problem for me.”
A representative for Johnson tells the Freep the tickets are being dealt with. Sims tells the paper he's obtaining certificates of occupancy for the houses:
"What's happened is kind of ridiculous. We’ve put a lot of work into this. It would be hard to see how you could have a better candidate for a license." he said. "We’ve done everything by the book. But just like football, we’ve had some hard times, but we’ll get back up."
