After being shot three times in the line of duty as a federal agent, Dennis Betts says he discovered the healing power of medical marijuana. He believes in it so much, he's now opened what he calls a "community compassion center" called The Kushion. It opened September 1.
"I find it's morally right to do this because you're helping people," Bett says.
But Betts' business isn't the first of its kind-- quite the opposite, in fact. We counted at least four medical marijuana-related businesses in a mile-and-a-half span on Michigan Avenue, including Betts'. Another opened less than three weeks ago. They outnumber gas stations four-to-one on that corridor.
"They are popping up all over," notes Lansing City Councilwoman Carol Wood, and she's not happy about it.
She points out these are all high-visibility areas the businesses are coming to (Old Town, MLK, Saginaw, etc.) Complete with flashing "open" signs, she says they're meant to draw in more business. And while these non-profits have long maintained they're just in it to help those in pain, Wood is skeptical.
"It's easy for people to get to, easy to find," she says. "It's a good marketing tool."
"They're in it for the money," says Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings, who even questions the legality of these store-front businesses.
"I know some people that are really trying to do it to assist a person with a real need, and their business model is nothing like that," he says.
Betts takes issue with that.
"We're not doing it for the money," he says. "As far as someone getting rich off this, it's not going to happen."
In the meantime, Lansing police say they don't have any data that shows crime growing around these new businesses.
"We're doing everything legal, everything by the order and letter of the law," Betts says. "Our doors are open. No secrets."
According to Wood, the city has no way to monitor where or how many of these businesses are popping up.
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