New book recounts how Michigan’s early cannabis entrepreneurs were crushed by raids, seizures, and legal limbo - Detroit Metro Times

[Dynamite Rocket Joe]

Michigan's early cannabis entrepreneurs were dealt a crushing blow when the state's medical marijuana law was passed in 2008. The ballot measure, which allowed patients to access cannabis without fear of persecution, was seen as a turning point after decades of prohibition. However, the reality was far from ideal.

For many, including Ryan Richmond, a Detroit-area entrepreneur who became an early pioneer in the medical cannabis industry, the law created more problems than it solved. Richmond's story is one of harassment, repeated raids, and selective prosecutions that left him feeling like he was "being crushed" by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across Southeast Michigan.

Richmond recounts how Clinical Relief, his dispensary in Ferndale, was raided in a heavily militarized operation involving armored vehicles, assault rifles, and masked officers. Patients were thrown to the ground, and staff were treated as violent criminals. The raids continued relentlessly, with Richmond experiencing a raid every 26 days for four years.

The book also sheds light on how asset forfeiture became a routine enforcement tactic against cannabis businesses. Richmond argues that prosecutors and tax authorities weaponized Section 280E of the federal tax code to punish legal cannabis operators in Michigan, even as enforcement priorities shifted nationally.

Richmond's case ultimately landed him in federal prison, where he served two years. After his release, he left the state's medical cannabis industry and went on to found a hemp-based pet wellness company. However, the story never left him, and he wrote "Capone of Cannabis," a memoir that chronicles his experiences and raises questions about selective prosecution and regulatory failure.

The book is not just a personal account but also a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of regulation. Richmond argues that progress in the cannabis industry came at a cost, with early operators being crushed before the industry was fully regulated.

Today, Michigan has one of the largest cannabis markets in the country, with dispensaries operating openly and taxes going to state and local governments. However, the legacy of the early years still lingers, and Richmond's story serves as a reminder of the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.

 

[Derek Smart']

I feel bad for Ryan Richmond and all the other early cannabis entrepreneurs who got caught up in the chaos. It's crazy to think about how far we've come since then . Michigan's medical marijuana law was supposed to be a game-changer, but it ended up being super punitive instead of supportive. Those raids were insane - I can only imagine how traumatizing it must have been for patients and staff alike .

I also think about all the other people who got caught in the crossfire, like small business owners and patients who just wanted to access medicine without fear of persecution . It's a sobering reminder that progress often comes with costs, and we need to make sure we're learning from our mistakes instead of repeating them .

Richmond's story is a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and regulatory failure, and I hope it'll help spark some real change in how we approach cannabis regulation .

 

[In Search o]

Man, this is wild Michigan was like ahead of its time with that medical marijuana law in 2008, but it sounds like it all got really messy and unfair from there Ryan Richmond's story is crazy - I mean, who does get raided every 26 days for four years? And the asset forfeiture thing is just insane... it's like they were trying to punish people for doing their job . It's a shame that progress in the industry was at such a high cost, you feel me? We should be learning from these early mistakes and making sure that those who are impacted get the justice they deserve

 

[Elated Elk]

Michigan's medical marijuana law was supposed to be a game-changer but it ended up being super unfair to people like Ryan Richmond who were just trying to run their businesses He went through so much drama with the police, raids and asset forfeiture – it's wild how they could use tax laws against legit cannabis ops . Anyways, his story is a good reminder that progress isn't always smooth sailing and we need to keep an eye on how power is being wielded

 

[Silly Stag]

I just finished reading this crazy story about Ryan Richmond and it's like, what happened? He was literally being crushed by law enforcement and prosecutors over his medical cannabis business . The fact that they raided his dispensary multiple times, threw patients to the ground, and even put him in federal prison is just shocking . And all this for operating a business that was supposed to be helping people with medical needs? It's like, what's the point of having laws if you're not gonna enforce them fairly? The author's book sounds like a must-read, especially for anyone who cares about regulation and accountability in the cannabis industry . We need more stories like this to make sure we learn from the mistakes of the past and create a better future for all entrepreneurs, no matter what their business is .

 

[The Secret Weap]

I mean, think about it... Michigan passed that medical marijuana law back in 2008 and yeah, it seems all good on paper but really? People like Ryan Richmond were just getting trampled by the system . I'm not saying he's some kinda troublemaker or anything, but come on, raids every 26 days for four years? That's wild! And asset forfeiture? Forget about it... they basically stole his livelihood and put him in federal prison . Now the industry is all legit and whatnot, but you can't just erase history like that. It's all about power and corruption . I mean, who benefits from this kind of thing? The government doesn't really care about the little guy, they just wanna keep making money ...