Detroit Startup Week 2017 (Rolling Program Additions)

How do we establishing a matrix of compliant cannabis businesses in Michigan? Provide support services and accountability partners to creating jobs and fight underemployment statewide?
Our goal is to establish a regional work culture program, including vocational and management processes for Cannabis/ Hemp entrepreneurs. Offer preliminary vetting for investors.

With the exception of ancillary services, equipment and supplies, this industry will be contained within the state. There is a need for referral services, workshops, seminars, co-working space, and lab access.

Support services: job training, compliance, networking, investing and industry infrastructure for Michigan’s Bureau Medical Marihuana Regulation (BMMR).
Industry experts weigh in on what it is like to work in the industry.

Skillsets ingrained within automotive manufacturing transition well to cannabis cultivation, and processing. Another unique factor is that this industry promotes gender quality. Nationally business ownership for women is 22%, with 36% for the cannabis industry. In my role as Market Leader for the Metro Detroit Chapter of Women Grow, 50% is our target nationwide. 

The Michigan Medical Marijuana market is valued at approximately 800 million. Registered patients total 240,000, with 40,000 caregivers. Nationwide, Michigan has the second largest patient registry behind California. That number is expected to be reduced to 3,000-1,500 with the implementation of the seed to sale system. This is not a true loss, this knowledge can be harnessed in many other facets of this industry.

The City of Detroit has a 6.2% unemployment rate, with 40% of it’s residents living under the poverty line. This service has the capacity to allow access into the cannabis industry.


Legalization in Denver, Colorado resulted in 18,000 new jobs conservatively. Scaled, Michigan has nearly double the MMJ patient roster, second nationally only to California.

Projections for 2020 deem the overall {cannabis} market will create 250,000 jobs, while traditional manufacturing, utility and government jobs will decline.