LANSING, MI (AP)-- The first year of state-licensed recreational marijuana sales in Michigan saw $511 million of sales in recreational and $474 million in medical sales, generating over $100 million in tax revenue, but the state also found that the industry drastically failed to attract minority business owners.
The state collected data in December that showed 79 percent of people interested in ownership of licensed marijuana facilities were white. Black people accounted for 3.8 percent, while 1.5 percent were Hispanic or Latino.
In response, a workgroup comprised largely of people of color who are experts in equity programming has released recommendations. The suggestions include creating partnerships with large businesses and local municipalities to equip communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana being illegal until 2018.
