Bay Area rapper-turned-cannabis entrepreneur Berner will officially bring his Cookies cannabis brand to Detroit later this month. A Cookies marijuana dispensary will open at 6030 E. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit, with a grand opening on Friday, Jan. 31.
The Cookies store will carry strains the company has become known for, including its eponymous Cookies, Lemonnade, Runtz, PowerzzzUp, Minntz, and Grandiflora, among others.
Since Detroit has postponed recreational marijuana sales until at least Jan. 31 as it works out some kinks, Cookies will start off as a medical marijuana provisioning center only. The store will also sell Cookies-branded merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, and hats that have become coveted in the streetwear scene.
"To me, Michigan is one of the biggest markets next to California," Berner, who is expected to attend the grand opening, said in a press release. "Not only is it a big market, Michigan is a very educated market when it comes to herb and hash. They have been seeing California weed on the black market for years and been producers of high quality flower in their own respective market. With that being said, Michigan smokers are spoiled just like us in Cali. With all the new genetics in our Library and all the love from the Michigan Cups, we are ready to give Detroit all the new-new! And the fact we are kicking it off on Eight Mile makes all of this even more legendary."
The store is a partnership between Berner and Gage Cannabis Co., the high-end cannabis company that recently opened stores in Ferndale and across Michigan. Gage Cannabis Co. will also sell Cookies products at its stores.
"Gage is excited for this next step in our flourishing partnership with Cookies," Gage's Fabian Monaco said in a statement. "We are eager to provide Michigan with yet another unique and engaging retail platform. Launching the first Cookies store on the East Coast will bring an unparalleled experience to our cannabis patients, while offering direct access to one of the leading brands in the cannabis industry."
According to a press release, the 3,500-square-foot store will employ 40 Detroiters. The company also plans on participating in a social equity program in which it will share $950,000 with social equity partners in cities disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition, and says it will give up to $50,000 to a prospective cannabis business owner in each of the 19 social equity cities designated by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency.
More information can be found at cookiesmich.com or on Instagram @Cookies.Michigan.
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