Cover Stories
Detroit’s late arrival to the recreational marijuana industry spells trouble
The recreational marijuana industry is booming in Michigan, exceeding $1.1 billion in annual sales and generating more than $100 million in new taxes a year. But in Detroit, the state’s largest city, not a single dollar has been made since adult-use recreational cannabis sales became legal in December 2019. And it could be many more…
‘Spark in the Park’ voted down, but still plans to hold home-grown pot-infused music fest in metro Detroit
Sure, people have probably been getting high at music festivals since time immemorial, but thanks to Michigan’s adult-use cannabis laws, officially sanctioned pot-infused music events are on the way — as long as local municipalities allow them. An event called “Spark in the Park” was planned for pot-friendly Hazel Park’s Green Acres Park on Saturday,…
Michigan has its first official cannabis consumption lounge. More are coming.
Michigan’s adult-use cannabis laws that went into effect in 2019 allow for consumption lounge licenses, or public spaces where you’re allowed to get high, though we haven’t seen any yet — that is, until now. Last month, Hot Box Social in Hazel Park became the state’s first officially licensed cannabis consumption lounge. Sure, you could…
Welcome to the Copper House, a bud and breakfast and community center in Detroit
Picture this: you’re invited to a backyard dinner party on Detroit’s west side. When you arrive, there’s a beautifully decorated table, a DJ playing music, and a mobile bar. There’s also an eclectic mix of people ranging in professions, race, gender identity, and style, who are all there for the same reason — cannabis. Jess…
The 4/20 issue
In this week’s issue… Michigan’s booming cannabis industry helps burned-out workers to turn over a new leaf Detroit’s late arrival to the recreational marijuana industry spells trouble ‘Spark in the Park’ is plotting a new home-grown pot-infused music fest in metro Detroit Michigan has its first official cannabis consumption lounge. More are coming. Welcome to…
Michigan’s booming cannabis industry helps burned-out workers to turn over a new leaf
Ashley Maldonado had been working with special needs children for five years when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Her pay dropped drastically when the elementary school she worked at reduced in-person learning. Since she wasn’t making enough money, she quit her job, started working in the cannabis industry, and never looked back. Now, Maldonado is one…
Dispensary? Provisioning center? Making sense of terms for Michigan’s cannabis stores
What do you call the place where you buy your legal weed? In Michigan, a number of terms are bandied around, but you might be using them incorrectly. Heck, we’re probably guilty of occasionally interchanging them ourselves. Blame it on that wacky tobbaccy — or simply on the fact that this stuff actually can be…
Michigan GOP Senator condemned for falsely claiming Dems want to ‘groom and sexualize kindergartners’
State Sen. Lana Theis came under fire for preposterously claiming in a fundraising email that Democrats want to “groom and sexualize kindergarteners” and teach white children to hate themselves. The email came less than a week after the Brighton Republican suggested during an invocation on the Senate floor that “children are under attack” because of…
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice Reviews: #1 Best Natural Weight Loss Powder Drink?
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice Reviews – Ikaria Lean Belly Juice is an advanced superfood complex made with powerful ingredients that help to increase fat oxidation and burn fat naturally. It is 100% safe to use & clinically proven. Official Website: Click Here What is Ikaria Lean Belly Juice? According to the official website of Ikaria…
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas announce NY State of Mind Tour with stop at Pine Knob
Protect ya neck because Wu-Tang Clan and Nas are coming for it in September. The hip-hop icons announced their co-headlining NY State of Mind Tour on Tuesday, which includes a stop at Pine Knob on Sept. 3. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on April 26 via 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com, and the XFINITY Box…
‘There is no question what killed this young man,’ says renowned forensic pathologist of Patrick Lyoya, Black man shot by Grand Rapids cop
A world-renowned forensic pathologist was tapped to conduct an independent autopsy of Patrick Lyoya, the 26-year-old Black man who was fatally shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids police officer after a traffic stop earlier this month. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Werner Spitz, a 95-year-old self-described “medical detective” from…
Michigan lawmaker, credit unions: Youth need financial education
A bill before the Michigan Legislature would bring financial education into the state’s public schools, by requiring high school students to take a course in personal finance. The legislation passed the Michigan state House with bipartisan support, and is now before the state Senate. Rep. Diana Farrington, R-Utica, a bill sponsor, said student-loan debt and…
David Lynch’s newly restored ‘Inland Empire’ still conjures a feeling like nothing else
Not all movies press forward. In 2006’s Inland Empire, newly restored under the supervision of its enigmatic director, David Lynch, the film’s movement through time occurs on a looping track that cuts back across itself, with our guide (played by Laura Dern in a fractured starring role as film star Nikki Grace) getting just as…
Detroit Shipping Co. to host Cass Corridor cleanup for Earth Day
Detroit Shipping Co. is hosting a neighborhood cleanup of the Cass Corridor for Earth Day on Saturday, April 23. The swanky food hall has teamed up with Clean Detroit for the second annual cleanup and is looking for volunteers to help beautify the neighborhood. Participants will pick up trash, clean out flower beds, weed, and…
‘You Won’t Be Alone’ is a gory, gorgeous feminist folktale
A sky lit with clouds, a canopy of trees, a brook thick with fish you can catch in your bare hands. With its exultant natural imagery and ruminative narrator, Goran Stolevski’s You Won’t Be Alone feels at times like a Terrance Malick film, albeit one clawed through with shocking body horror. Think Julia Ducournau’s Raw…
Macomb County community opposes cannabis dispensary’s parking plans
The pot-holed plot of vacant scrubland is hardly a paradise. So the pot shop wants to pave it and put up a parking lot. But Clinton Township has said “No!” a lot — at least so far. “I’ve heard the words ‘pot lot’ so many times it’s disgusting,” says Tammy Patton, a township trustee who…
Demolition set to begin this week on toxic industrial site that oozed toxic slime in metro Detroit
An industrial site that oozed a toxic green slime onto a Detroit highway in December 2019 is finally getting demolished. Madison Height City Council approved a contract for The Adams Group to begin razing the Electro-Plating Services site at 945 E. 10 Mile Rd. on Thursday. The demolition is expected to cost $750,000. To finance…
Celebration of life planned for Detroit BBQ Company founder Tim Idzikowski, dead at 36
Tim Idzikowski, the founder and chef behind the popular Detroit BBQ Company food truck, died last week, according to his family. He was 36. Reached by Metro Times, Idzikowski’s family says he died in his sleep on Thursday. No cause of death was given. His family says he loved to cook since he was a…
When rookie Jackie Robinson came to Detroit in 1947
Imagine if you were on the top of the world. You had achieved greatness; you had persevered to do something no one else had ever done. You were a hero to tens of millions and known around the world. Everything you did was news; every choice you made was scrutinized. You had endured a trial…
House of Dank 4.20 House Party: H.O.D. to giveaway $10k Cash at their 4.20 Celebrations
House of Dank is preparing to host “House Parties” at each of their eight locations for the canna-culture holiday: 4.20! With massive deals, giveaways, and loads of swag waiting to welcome consumers and patients alike. In a true Willy Wonka fashion, H.O.D. is giving everyone the chance to win up to $10,000 by finding a…
Cannabis and coney dog pasties: The top 10 Metro Times headlines of the week
Picking a favorite Metro Times issue is like picking a favorite child, but our annual 4/20 Issue comes pretty close. Our readers enjoyed our cannabis coverage this week, and many were especially curious about the new cannabis consumption lounge that recently opened. Our readers were also interested in the latest snack made available at Comerica…
Detroit fan ‘fuming’ after accidentally buying tickets for Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band, Red NOT Chili Peppers
While scrolling on social media, Aaron saw an ad for what appeared to be a gig for one of his favorite bands, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He couldn’t believe his luck. The band was performing on Thursday, April 28 at Ferndale’s small Magic Bag venue, and tickets were under $20. It wasn’t completely far-fetched.…
Hamtramck staple New Martha Washington Bakery is permanently closed
The rumors are true. New Martha Washington Bakery in Hamtramck turned off the ovens and closed down for good on Saturday, April 9. The tiny but mighty bakeshop will be remembered for lines out the door for paczki on Fat Tuesday. Despite the closure, which hasn’t been widely publicized, customers are still showing up to…
Democratic senators call on GOP leaders to censure Bizon for assaulting nurse
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich introduced a resolution Thursday to censure Sen. John Bizon after he was sentenced to a year of probation in March for inappropriately touching a health care worker while receiving COVID-19 treatment. Bizon, a Battle Creek Republican, has faced no disciplinary action from the GOP-led Senate. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike…
Best No Credit Check Loans With Guaranteed Approval | Top Companies With Guaranteed Loan Approval And No Credit Check | Bad Credit Loans With Guaranteed Approval From Direct Lenders
If you are searching for bad credit loans, you will prefer getting one with a low-interest rate. Many lenders furnish all loans for horrific financial savings with different endeavor rates. It would be best to be wise when determining a loan provider. The loan provider you pick out wishes to furnish you with a favorable…
Soldano floats conspiracy theory that Whitmer staged kidnapping plot to influence 2020 election
Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Soldano shared a conspiracy theory Thursday that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plotted with the FBI to “fake her own kidnapping” in an effort to have a “direct impact on the 2020 election results” after two suspects were found not guilty last week. “Michiganders deserve an answer. As we all saw last week,…
Saffron De Twah and Baobab Fare are offering a limited iftar meal this weekend
With Ramadan in full swing, the chefs at Detroit’s Baobab Fare and Saffron De Twah are teaming up to offer a special iftar dinner on Saturday, April 16. During the holy month, where practitioners fast from sunrise to sunset, iftar is the meal eaten at the end of the day to break the fast. The…
Detroit illegally overtaxed homeowners $600M. They’re still waiting to be compensated.
The city of Detroit made an extraordinary admission about five years ago: It overtaxed homeowners by at least $600 million between 2010 and 2016. The illegal, inflated property tax assessments resulted in an estimated 100,000 Detroiters, most of them Black, losing their homes to foreclosure. The Michigan Constitution prohibits property from being assessed at more…
Detroit’s jessica Care moore gets shoutout from Oprah for poem about Ketanji Brown Jackson
The world watched as Ketanji Brown Jackson was berated and bombarded with questions that seemingly had nothing to do with her qualifications during her U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearing. Jackson’s experience as a Supreme Court clerk, federal appeals judge, and Harvard Law graduate was overshadowed by her race. Black women know the feeling all too…
Ann Arbor among cities making strong climate commitments
Michigan cities are among those working to curb the devastating impacts of climate change, by reducing their carbon footprints and expanding resiliency and mitigation efforts. The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report focused on the ways the world can reduce emissions today. The authors have pointed to the Race to Zero initiative, an…
White nationalism resurgence continues to shift and shape Michigan, U.S. politics
Before that fateful day in spring 2020, Michigan Sen. Erika Geiss felt safe in Lansing. “Even on [annual] open carry day,” Geiss (D-Taylor) said. “I didn’t feel there was an active existential threat to my existence.” As a Black lawmaker from a Southeast Michigan district populated by plenty of hunters, the only real pang of…
Lume Cannabis Co. sues the Village of Pinckney for denying its marijuana license — and loses
Lume Cannabis Co. has over 30 dispensaries all over Michigan but apparently, that’s not enough. After being denied a license to open up shop in the Village of Pinckney, Lume sued the small town and lost. Lume’s suit argued that Pinckney’s residency requirement for opening a cannabis business and favoring local merchants was discriminatory. Sound…
Royal Oak’s Main Art Theatre is one step closer to being demolished
Another day in Metro Detroit, another historic building gets torn down and turned into condos. On Tuesday, the Royal Oak Planning Commission recommended plans to demolish the Main Art Theatre. A.F. Jonna Management and Development Co. presented the commission with plans to bulldoze the theater and replace it with a five-story multi-purpose building with retail,…
Division, disarray mark Macomb County GOP convention
Each of Michigan’s 83 counties held GOP conventions Monday night, but deeply red Macomb County was perhaps the most chaotic of them all, featuring hours of insults, interruptions and the eventual ousting of the county party’s convention chair. The division and discord that ensued was fed by an organized effort led by former President Trump-endorsed…
U.S. Rep. Tlaib says she’s improving after testing positive for COVID-19
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is on the mend after testing positive for COVID-19, according to her spokesman Denzel McCampbell. “She’s doing better,” McCampbell tells Metro Times, adding that she’s “quarantining until she is no longer contagious and is safe to be around others.” The Detroit Democrat announced on Monday that she tested positive for the…
Report: Mobile health clinics reach vulnerable Michigan communities
An analysis of mobile health clinics launched in the Detroit metro area during the pandemic finds it’s a model that can deliver health screenings and health care and could be replicated in other communities. The Wayne Health Mobile Units are specially equipped vans with medical equipment and professionals. They began as testing sites for front-line…
Medicare for All is on the come up
Last month, the House Oversight Committee had the first hearings on Medicare for All in the 117th Congress, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri). The hearings included testimony from patients, patient advocates, and healthcare experts. The conversation detailed the ways in which our system is broken — and why…
Free Will Astrology (April 13-19)
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “I have lived my life according to this principle: If I’m afraid of it, then I must do it.” Aries author Erica Jong said that. Since I’m not an Aries myself, her aspiration is too strong for me to embrace. Sometimes I just don’t have the courage, willpower, and boldness to…
The old Detroit Central Market gets revived, an adult Easter egg hunt, stoner metal in Hamtramck, and more things to do
Select events happening in metro Detroit this week. Submit your events to metrotimes.com/calendar. Be sure to check venue websites for COVID-19 policies. Fōwling Warehouse Ypsi-Ann Arbor grand opening Thursday, April 14: Detroit’s popular Fowling Warehouse is expanding to the Ypsilanti area. Fowling — or “Fōwling” as the owners now spell it — is like bowling,…
Bon Appetit introduces Ypsilanti to Guinean cuisine
Bon Appetit seems to be the only dedicated Guinean restaurant in southeast Michigan, though other West African nations with similar fare, like Senegal, are represented and among the best spots in metro Detroit. The region’s meat- and fish-heavy dishes that are often grilled or stewed pop with the liberal use of aromatics, flavorful rubs, and…
Blues rock guitarist Davy Knowles to perform at Westland’s Token Lounge
Davy Knowles is not technically from Britain, but he did grow up surrounded by it. A native son of the Isle of Man, the much-acclaimed blues-rocker was still in his teens when he started his first band, Back Door Slam, whose 2007 debut album Roll Away reached No. 7 on the Billboard magazine blues chart.…
The GOP’s attack on LGBTQ+ issues in schools is a natural follow-up to the critical race theory bogeyman
In Texas last week, a woman was arrested for murder and jailed on a $500,000 bond for taking medication to induce an abortion — something that is not a crime in Texas, although the state’s lawmakers have banned the sale or delivery of medications that terminate pregnancies. In Oklahoma — where Texas women began obtaining…
