Cannabis industry classes in Detroit will be free for those convicted of marijuana-related offenses

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Cannabis classes are coming to Detroit.

Business entrepreneurs and advocates converged on Detroit's west side for a press conference on the future of cannabis in Detroit Tuesday.

"We're announcing a great brand new development here at this site," said Maurice Morton, a partner with Green Cure Wellness Inc. & Southeast Provisioning LLC.

That development is the construction of the 14000 block of Livernois, where a multi-million-dollar venture will refurbish the derelict structure into several cultivation businesses, two processing businesses and a provisioning center.

The serendipitous announcement came the same day Michigan's new marijuana regulatory agency started. In a press released by the MRA, they plan on accepting applications for cannabis businesses this fall.

"The grow/processing will be in the back of the facility, so it's out of the way of the residential area," Morton said. "It's going to be very discreet, you won't even know it's there."

Along with the development comes another venture: intentions to help prepare prospective growers for the future industry.

"We're also putting in a training center that's 100 percent geared toward Detroiters," said Morton.

That center comes with classes on how to become budtenders, processors and entrepreneurs. On top of that, Morton also said the classes will be free of charge for those previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses.

Morton, who is a former Wayne County Assistant prosecutor who also headed the major drug unit, said it's a business initiative will open doors for all Detroiters.