Page 3 - The Wayne Dispatch

Recreational marihuana approved

By Carolyn Marnon break that stigma where marihuana
The Wayne City Council adopted is bad,” he says. He adds that people
Ordinance 2020-04 at their meeting who live in Wayne want to spend
on July 21, 2020. The ordinance their dollars in Wayne. They don’t
provides and establishes a process want to go to another city to make
and procedure for the application their purchases.
and licensing requirement for Med- The first $20 million collected in
ical Marihuana Facilities under the excise taxes on recreational mari-
Medical Marihuana Facilities Act and huana in Michigan over the first two
for Recreational Marihuana Estab- years since the law was passed in
lishments under the Michigan Regu- 2018 must be spent on medical re-
lation and Taxation of Marihuana search that involves marihuana.
Act within the City of Wayne. After that $20 million is met, 15% of
Wayne businessman Scott Gocaj revenues will go to cities that have
notes that people drive through recreational businesses, propor-
Wayne all day long, but when it tioned to the number of those busi-
comes to purchasing recreational nesses in the cities.
marihuana, they are going to other Shannon Leija, General Manager
nearby cities that have already ap- of Wayne ReLeaf, 36900 Michigan Av-
proved sales. He points out that enue, says the City Council’s ap-
Wayne already has medical mari- proval of recreational marihuana
huana facilities, so adding recre- will make a big impact on the busi-
ational marihuana to them wasn’t ness. Everyday people visit the busi-
changing anything. “These locations ness looking for recreational
are only for people who want to go. marihuana and have to be turned
They’re not there for anybody who away. She wants Wayne residents to
doesn’t want to go. They’re already know “We are here to run a business
there in existence now as medical fa- and to give back to the community.
cilities. That’s not changing anything We are trying to be a part of the com-
other than giving your business own- munity and not just benefit from the
ers an opportunity to take care of
their families and invest more in
their community.”
Paul Russo, owner of Wayne Re-
Leaf which took over the former
Wayne Bowl bowling alley on Michi-
gan Avenue, says that the businesses
are losing dollars because they are

Scott Gocaj, owner of Michigan’s Finest, with One of Michigan's Finest house strains, Michigan’s Finest, 39112 Van Born Rd.
Skywalker OG is a potent cross between the hugely popular Skywalker and OG Kush community. We want to benefit the
strains. Skywalker OG is a go-to strain for people seeking relief from chronic stress, community as well.”
pain due to injury or illness, cramping, and mild to moderate cases of depression. According to Scott Gocaj, owner
of Michigan’s Finest, 39112 Van
Born Rd, “Recreational marihuana is
good for consumers in the City of
Wayne because it makes our resi-
Wayne ReLeaf which took over the for- dents in Wayne and our neighbors in
mer Wayne Bowl bowling alley at 36900 adjoining cities to get their medical
Michigan Avenue. and/or recreational needs met more
conveniently. Myself and my location
not able to sell recreational mari- is always available for anybody to
huana, thus people walk out of the come to get their medical needs ful-
business to go elsewhere. “We are filled. We look forward to serving the
taking an eyesore away from the city. needs of the recreational user and
The city folks that come into the we are located discreetly for people’s
shop are very pleased at what we’ve privacy.”
done on the outside, cleaning it up, Wayne also has two other Medical
changing the colors of it.” Marihuana Facilities Holistic Health
Russo speaks about plans to do at 38110 Michigan Avenue and Na-
educational classes for people to ture’s Medicines Dispensary at 5405
learn about marihuana. “We’ve gotta Cogswell Road.
The Wayne Dispatch · August 2020 · 3