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Council approves homegrown-funded cannabis equity study after members demand health and youth focus
Summary
The committee moved a two-year homegrown-funded contract with University of Michigan researchers and CREO to formal after researchers pledged to include health equity analysis and community engagement. Council members said the study's timing is late but could inform future rounds of licensing and policy fixes for Detroit's social equity program.
The committee voted to send a proposed two-year research contract—funded by 100% homegrown Detroit dollars—to formal session with a recommendation to approve after extended discussion about scope and timing.
Researchers from the University of Michigan described a three-phase project: a policy analysis of ordinances and lawsuits; semi-structured interviews with participants in Detroit's legacy/social equity program; and a community engagement forum to present findings. "Health equity is at the core of my research portfolio and everything we do at the School of Public Health," Dr. Melissa Curry said; Dr. Catherine Hendy added that the project's framework will bring forward voices of licensees and stakeholders.
Members called repeatedly for explicit inclusion of health impacts and youth-focused analysis. CREO's deputy director, Megan Maslomani, said she had told the research team she would not approve the contract if health equity was not included. CREO and the researchers committed to that emphasis and to holding a public town hall March 4 to solicit broader input.
Council members criticized the timing and said the research was overdue for a program that began in 2024; others argued the study could inform the next licensing round and help improve supports for existing licensees. CREO said it has been providing direct support and cohorts for applicants and that the research would help refine future policy and technical assistance.
The committee moved the contract (combined from two agenda items) to formal session with a recommendation to approve; CREO committed to circulate town hall details and to incorporate health equity elements into the scope.
Next steps: Researchers and CREO will provide the committee with documentation of community engagement plans and a revised scope that foregrounds health equity and youth impacts; CREO will circulate the March 4 town-hall information.
