Michigan MRA launches Joint Ventures Pathway Program
The social equity team of the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) has announced the creation of the Joint Ventures Pathway Program (JVPP). Based on a recommendation made by the Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup earlier this year, the JVPP will connect eligible social equity participants and those seeking to become social equity participants with adult-use licensees, potential adult-use licensees, and any businesses that wish to work with social equity participants interested in pursuing partnerships, including:
- Joint business ventures
- Mentorships
- Incubator programs
- Employment
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act directed the MRA to create a plan “to promote and encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities.”
As the MRA implemented and expanded this plan, it became clear that the broad language of the statute was not enough to address the specific issue of racial inequities within the commercial industry. Accordingly, the MRA established a Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup, composed of state and local officials and industry stakeholders. This workgroup was charged with developing policy ideas and recommendations to address the disparities in ownership and participation in the marijuana industry by people of color and establishing the State of Michigan as a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the marijuana industry.
For questions or further assistance, you can contact the MRA’s social equity team via email to mra-socialequity@michigan.gov & you can apply to be part of the program as a social equity applicant or business partner on the MRA website.
