Dozens of Michigan State Police detectives based in West Michigan have a new assignment that'll bring some to Metro Detroit.
A "unit created to crack down on unlicensed medical marijuana activities is finally preparing to target pot's black market," Beth LeBlanc writes at The Detroit News.
The 40 detectives and civilian analysts across the state will begin addressing illegal marijuana operations while continuing to aid the Marijuana Regulatory Agency in the licensing process.
The promised enforcement comes none too soon for licensed marijuana businesses, which have complained about facing unfair, illegal competition. Since the state legalized recreational marijuana in November, several unlicensed facilities have sprouted up without even trying to get licensed, said Detective 1st Lt. Chris Hawkins, commander for the section.
"These businesses are exploiting a loophole," a state police commander says of rogue pot dispensaries. (Photo: DepositPhotos)
A big job is ahead for our state's pot police. "It’s a little more sophisticated black market now that holds itself out as legitimate business," the Kent County-based commander tells the local reporter.
From unlicensed facilities to "gifted" marijuana to unsanctioned home deliveries, the State Police has its work cut out for it. . . .
"It's a little more sophisticated black market now that holds itself out as legitimate business," Hawkins said . . . "We see businesses out there that are selling a $10 box of chocolates for $50 and with that you're getting two to three grams of marijuana. To say that these businesses are exploiting a loophole is giving them a little more credit than they deserve."
For her 1,100-word overview, the local reporter also speaks with licensed seller Stu Carter, owner of Utopia Gardens on East Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit's Islandview neighborhood east of downtown.
"They're stealing business that we’ve paid big annual licensing fees for," Carter said. "This is a big deal."
Carter wants Michigan to examine a law similar to one under consideration in California that would penalize sites like Weedmaps for advertising the illicit businesses
Recent coverage:
Judge Admonishes State Regulators for Pot Shop Licensing Problems, May 1
New Era of Pot Peddling: Some Dispensaries Don't Wait for Michigan Licenses and Rules, April 7
