A federal judge on Wednesday halted the city of Detroit from processing recreational cannabis business applications.
U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman issued a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit that challenges a local ordinance that gives licensing preference to longtime city residents.
In the Wayne County Circuit Court filing dated March 2, Crystal Lowe, who has lived in Detroit for 11 of the past 30 years, said she plans to apply for an adult-use retail establishment license. However, the River Rouge resident believes that the Detroit ordinance is unfair.
The ordinance states applicants are given priority if they have lived in the city for 15 of the last 30 years; lived in Detroit for 13 of the last 30 years and are low-income; or lived in Detroit for 10 of the last 30 years and have a past cannabis-related criminal conviction. At least 50% of the licenses must be issued to legacy residents. The city also offers residents reduced application fees and up to a 75% discount on city-owned land.
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