The Passage of Time Left Michigan's Early Cannabis Entrepreneurs in the Lurch
In 2008, when Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved the passage of marijuana for medical use, it seemed like a turning point after decades of prohibition. However, what followed was far from ideal. Instead of adapting to the will of voters, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across Southeast Michigan aggressively resisted legalization, using raids, asset seizures, and intimidation to shut down early cannabis businesses and punish those behind them.
One of the most significant casualties was Ryan Richmond, an early pioneer in the medical cannabis industry. Richmond recounts his own experiences with harassment, repeated raids, and charges in his new memoir, "Capone of Cannabis". He describes how law enforcement treated patients and employees as violent criminals during raids, highlighting the lack of legitimacy that these businesses faced.
Richmond's story is a detailed account of the chaotic years before Michigan created a comprehensive licensing system for medical marijuana businesses. During this period, patients, caregivers, and dispensary operators were left dealing with contradictory court rulings, local moratoriums, and hostile enforcement. The state's failure to regulate created conditions for abuse, according to Richmond.
One of the book's central allegations is that asset forfeiture became a routine enforcement tactic against cannabis businesses. Richmond argues that prosecutors and tax authorities weaponized 280E of the federal tax code to punish legal operators in Michigan, even as enforcement priorities shifted nationally.
Richmond faced personal tragedy when his business partner's father died after being confronted by armed officers during one of the raids on their home. The author believes he may be the only American sent to prison over the application of 280E to a cannabis business, claiming innocence and still holding onto that conviction.
The book sheds light on selective enforcement and "optics" in law enforcement, where prosecutors focused on presenting a narrative rather than seeking evidence. Richmond argues that this had a chilling effect on the industry, driving many early operators out before it 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. The industry employs over 41,000 workers. However, Richmond's story serves as a reminder that progress came at a cost paid by those who were crushed before the industry was fully regulated.
Richmond wrote "Capone of Cannabis" primarily for his children, aiming to get the story out so they could understand what happened. The book is a personal and cautionary tale that extends far beyond Detroit or Michigan, serving as an American story of resistance and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
In 2008, when Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved the passage of marijuana for medical use, it seemed like a turning point after decades of prohibition. However, what followed was far from ideal. Instead of adapting to the will of voters, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across Southeast Michigan aggressively resisted legalization, using raids, asset seizures, and intimidation to shut down early cannabis businesses and punish those behind them.
One of the most significant casualties was Ryan Richmond, an early pioneer in the medical cannabis industry. Richmond recounts his own experiences with harassment, repeated raids, and charges in his new memoir, "Capone of Cannabis". He describes how law enforcement treated patients and employees as violent criminals during raids, highlighting the lack of legitimacy that these businesses faced.
Richmond's story is a detailed account of the chaotic years before Michigan created a comprehensive licensing system for medical marijuana businesses. During this period, patients, caregivers, and dispensary operators were left dealing with contradictory court rulings, local moratoriums, and hostile enforcement. The state's failure to regulate created conditions for abuse, according to Richmond.
One of the book's central allegations is that asset forfeiture became a routine enforcement tactic against cannabis businesses. Richmond argues that prosecutors and tax authorities weaponized 280E of the federal tax code to punish legal operators in Michigan, even as enforcement priorities shifted nationally.
Richmond faced personal tragedy when his business partner's father died after being confronted by armed officers during one of the raids on their home. The author believes he may be the only American sent to prison over the application of 280E to a cannabis business, claiming innocence and still holding onto that conviction.
The book sheds light on selective enforcement and "optics" in law enforcement, where prosecutors focused on presenting a narrative rather than seeking evidence. Richmond argues that this had a chilling effect on the industry, driving many early operators out before it 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. The industry employs over 41,000 workers. However, Richmond's story serves as a reminder that progress came at a cost paid by those who were crushed before the industry was fully regulated.
Richmond wrote "Capone of Cannabis" primarily for his children, aiming to get the story out so they could understand what happened. The book is a personal and cautionary tale that extends far beyond Detroit or Michigan, serving as an American story of resistance and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
anyway its wild how michigan went from being super progressive on weed 2 having a huge industry now w/o much regulation im not saying that's a bad thing tho we need more businesses like that creating jobs & paying taxes 
the problem is ppl like ryan got left in the dust & almost lost everything cuz of bad laws 
and asset forfeiture is still super sketchy u can get in trouble for having money or assets 2 big 
. I mean, raids, asset seizures, intimidation? That's not how you regulate a industry, that's just harassment. And now, people are like "oh well, it worked out in the end" but let's be real, at what cost? Ryan Richmond's story is eye-opening, especially about 280E and how prosecutors used it to bully these businesses. It's crazy that he was sent to prison for something so blatant 
. And can we talk about how his business partner's family got affected by this too? Tragic 
. Michigan may have a thriving cannabis industry now, but we gotta remember the pioneers who paved the way and paid the price 
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they paved the way for us rn
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, but at what cost? People like Richmond are a reminder that progress isn't always linear and that sometimes it takes a lot of pain and struggle to get there. It's a pretty sobering thought, you know? Anyway, I'm gonna have to pick up this book ASAP and learn more about Richmond's story 
.
I'm still shook by this whole story. I mean, can you even imagine being forced to shut down your business like that? It's insane how law enforcement would treat people like that. And it's crazy that asset forfeiture became a thing in Michigan - it's like they were just trying to screw over these entrepreneurs for the sake of it. Ryan Richmond's story is so eye-opening, and I love that he wrote this book primarily for his kids so they can understand what happened to him. It's a real reminder that there are still people out there fighting against the system, and we should all be rooting for them 
it's like they're trying to punish the patients too 
Richmond's story is so eye opening, I had no idea it was this bad in Michigan 
I mean, they were just trying to help people with a legitimate illness and make a living, but law enforcement was all like "nope, you're outta luck". And then the state just kinda lets it go on for years before finally getting around to creating some semblance of regulation... meanwhile, these guys are left dealing with asset seizures, harassment, and emotional trauma. It's wild that one guy is literally being remembered as a kind of "Capone of Cannabis" because of how law enforcement treated him. And can we talk about the fact that he was sent to prison over some technicality related to tax code? 
Like, what even is that?
. But Ryan Richmond's story is a harsh reminder that progress often comes at a cost, and those early operators were left to pick up the pieces 
but at what cost, you know? richmond's story is definitely a cautionary tale for anyone who's ever thought about starting up their own business in this space. it just goes to show how much politics and enforcement can get in the way of progress