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Detroiters have an obligation to get involved in the legal Recreational Cannabis business!
As the newly elected President-elect of the Detroit Association of Realtors, I feel it is of utmost importance to speak out concerning this enormous business opportunity. Quite Frankly, this is a massive industry that might very well eclipse all other businesses (including the commercial casinos which I started 20 years ago).
As Detroiters, we are great consumers, but we have no ownership in any real businesses except some restaurant franchises, soul food eateries, salons, and a few bars. We own less than 2% of the gas stations in Detroit, less than 1% of the liquor stores, less than 1/2 percent of supermarkets (if any), and only 9% of the existing medical marijuana dispensaries.
I imagine our forefathers, who migrated from the South and created dynamic businesses like Paradise Valley, are in heaven shaking their heads….. trying to tell us that we have an obligation to our future generations to get involved whether we like it or not. The citizens of Detroit spoke loud and clear by voting to legalize cannabis. Rest assured all our lives will be impacted whether we get involved or not.
The Detroit Association of Realtors have been championing property rights and Detroiters' rights since the late 1800s. We, meaning YOU and I, are called on to “fight the good fight,” and to ensure that the future of our young people and our citizens will not be negatively impacted by lack of involvement. We believe that all, and I repeat ALL dispensary operators should voluntarily donate 10% of their profits to Detroit Public Schools or a charity that will provide at least 80% of donations to DPS and 20% for community charity initiatives.
We hope that charities, councilpersons and citizens are listening. We must provide for future generations that have not yet been born!
As an individual Realtor and an entrepreneur, I have created Legacy Detroit Group, LLC, to help Detroiters that want to get involved to succeed. We have made key connections with Michigan’s largest marijuana growers, dispensary consultants, and management operators that all have successfully consulted and managed dispensaries, and cultivation operations across the United States. We are inviting and suggesting to those involved or want to be involved in the industry to join together. Others in the industry have formed their own groups to block access to quality products, to manipulate social media, and to smear minority owners so they can capitalize on us. Enough is Enough!
Hats off to Councilman Tate, Mayor Duggan and people like Abdullah Muhammad and the Social Equity Committee. They have stepped up at this critical time and offered a social equity solution to Detroiters that have been leveraged, disenfranchised, and locked up for the mere possession of marijuana.
Let us take some of the economic gains this industry can bring and steer it in the direction of science, technology, engineering, art and math, (STEAM) Youth Centers and create opportunities for our children to compete in things like Drone Competitions, Robot building, Art, Essay and Oratorical contests and entrepreneurship, etc.
We believe that our young people are extremely talented; some just need motivating; if you want proof, try challenging them to a game on their computer or phone and get ready to lose miserably. Let us seize this moment! If we do not, for sure young lives will be negatively impacted without positive, corresponding benefits. So, youth advocates, educators, politicians, and entrepreneurs, let us all stand together and create the brightest possible future.
This editorial was written by Herb Strather
A/K/A Herbert from Herbert Street
www.legacydetroitgroup.com
Herb Strather is Chairman of Strather Affiliated Companies, President of the Global Optimist Club, President Elect of Detroit Association of Realtors and was selected Realtor of the Year by DAR 2018 and 2020.
