The Means Project will become the first marijuana business in Livingston County after Pinckney Village Council voted Monday to award all three licenses the company applied for, including retail, processing and class C grower licenses.
Developer Chris Bonk, who is based in Howell, is planning to convert the shuttered Pinckney Elementary School into a marijuana growing, processing and retail center, called The Means Project.
“We’re super excited about the opportunity, and we look forward to doing business in Pinckney,” Bonk said. “We’re excited to be the first marijuana business in Livingston County.”
Per Pinckney’s ordinance, applications were evaluated with a scoring rubric to determine which ones would be considered for a license in the village.
The rubric awards points based on business plans and community benefits. Out of a maximum 85 points, 50 points were based on business plans including licenses, business experience and site plans.
The other 35 points were awarded to applicants based on how the business will benefit the community. Some items include a commitment to hiring contractors based in Livingston County, already operating a marijuana business in a town with fewer than 10,000 people and proposing a facility in a building that is blighted or distressed. Points are also awarded to applicants who live in Pinckney or elsewhere in Livingston County.
Applicants needed a minimum of 70 points to be considered. The Means Project scored the maximum 85 points.
Two other companies applied for retailer licenses in the village, but their applications were denied because they didn’t meet the 70-point minimum.
Royal Oak-based Enright Architects applied to open a marijuana retail facility on the east side of the village at 1201 E. Main St. The business would be part of Lume Cannabis Co., which has 18 locations across the state of Michigan. Lume scored 65 points.
Ann Arbor company QPS Michigan Holdings, LLC also applied for a retailer license with hopes of opening a C3 Provisioning store in the former Putnam Township Fire Station at 1066 E. M-36. QPS scored 66 points on the rubric.
There is still a possibility for more marijuana businesses in the village – only half of the possible licenses have been issued so far.
Under state law, there are eight different licenses a potential recreational marijuana business can apply for including a retailer, processor, secure transporter, safety compliance, class A, B, or C grower or a microbusiness.
The village is issuing six licenses – one for each type of establishment – with one license for any class grower.
There were no applicants for secure transporters, safety compliance or microbusiness, so those licenses are still up for grabs.
Contact Sara Kellner at skellner@livingstondaily.com. Follow her on Twitter @skellner21.
