State regulators have permanently banned Youssef Barakat from working in or owning any licensed cannabis business in the state, citing a series of serious violations at two marijuana dispensaries he co-owned and operated.
The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) found that Barakat violated numerous cannabis laws and administrative rules while employed at Big Rapids Tree House Club and Bay City Tree House Club, according to public records. The agency concluded that his actions posed risks to public health, safety, and welfare, which are grounds for permanent exclusion under the state's marijuana laws.
Among the most alarming allegations, the CRA said Barakat's Big Rapids dispensary sold cannabis to a 20-year-old Michigan State Police cadet during a February 2023 sting operation.
The cannabis, sold in a clear sandwich bag without proper labeling or tracking tags, was handed over by an unregistered employee not listed in the state's monitoring system. Barakat later admitted that neither background checks nor employment records had been completed for the staff involved.
Read more at The Detroit Metro Times