DETROIT, Sept. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- Gage Cannabis Co., a Michigan craft cannabis brand, has announced a significant grant program, making up to $950,000 available to participants of the state's Marijuana Regulatory Agency Social Equity Program. The grants will assist those cannabis industry entrepreneurs significantly impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement as they embark on exciting new business journeys.
"We have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of prohibition enforcement activities on communities around Michigan," said Rosie Riashy, marketing and community manager at Gage Cannabis Co. "These grants will provide much-needed assistance to promising entrepreneurs who have faced legal consequences for their choice to help our state's medical marijuana patients."
Gage will offer 19 grants in recognition of the 19 communities identified by the MRA as having been disproportionately affected by prior marijuana prohibition policies. Each grant of up to $50,000 is intended to offset the cost of license applications and other startup activities. In addition to financial support, Gage will offer recipients the chance to receive hands-on training through visits to Gage facilities, operational oversight and feedback on their business plans.
Gage has identified Ryan Basore, proprietor of Redemption, as the program's first recipient. Basore has spent more than ten years as a champion for cannabis legalization and policy development in Michigan, but was affected by federal prohibition enforcement activities. With Gage's support, Redemption will bring much-needed flower to the shelves of provisioning centers around the state by January 2020.
"I am overwhelmed by the assistance I've received from the Gage team throughout the early stages of developing my business," said Basore. "Their financial contribution and direct feedback have been nothing short of critical to making my dream a reality."
Applicants are required to be participants of the MRA Social Equity Program. Interested candidates should submit a business plan and executive summary to [email protected].
