MARQUETTE HAS A new medical marijuana shop in town.
Upper Peninsula Caregivers Association (UPCA) opened its doors at 414 South Front Street last Friday. Very low key, very discreet.
A representative for UPCA says his shop is a “provisioning center,” not a “dispensary.” UPCA operates two other medical marijuana stores, in Watersmeet and Iron River.
The representative, who preferred his name not be used, further says that his shops are a cut above the others in Michigan because 1) their marijuana is all grown in a single, secure area 2) they promote a “family atmosphere,” not a haven for pot-smokers 3) their clients are mostly older and they’re suffering from genuine pain problems, and 4) UPCA works well with city and law enforcement officials.
UPCA, according to the rep, is also heavily involved in charity projects.
Exactly how the new shop will be treated by law enforcement in Marquette remains to be seen. You might recall that the Green Room was shut down by police earlier this year while the Happy Carrot, a dispensary in Marquette Township, has remained open for five years.
Dozens of dispensaries are doing business downstate despite the fact that technically they’re illegal. Authorities there have either decided they are legal, after all, or it’s just too much trouble to close them down.
Michigan’s medical marijuana law is ambiguous, to say the least.
UPCA’s rep concedes that. He’ll also tell you that they’re planning on opening up three more UPCA shops in the U.P. in the next several months.
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IF YOU’VE DRIVEN by the Crossroads on CR 480 recently, you’ve probably seen it: a brand new building rising from the ground.
What’s it gonna be? A restaurant perhaps? A gym? A bar? A Starbucks? Uhh….no, no, no, and no.
No, it’ll be a couple of offices with warehouse space in the back. One tenant has already committed to one of the offices, and Veridea, the developer, is now looking for a second tenant.
So, nothing sexy out there at the Crossroads. Just a couple of ordinary businesses that…you know…provide a service and make money.
Veridea is hoping to complete construction by the end of the year.
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HERE’S A HINT of what might lie ahead for Marquette’s nascent Smartzone.
Two young companies from MTEC’s Smartzone in Houghton recently placed among the top ten in a business competition in Detroit. That’s top ten among more than 250 entrants.
QTEK won $25,000 for coming up with an additive that, when applied to the surface of a product, prevents bacteria from growing on it.
Neuvokas won $10,000 for manufacturing a rebar product that’s seven times lighter than steel, is non-corrosive, and sells for the same price. How the hell did that not win first prize?
Oh well. Kudos to everybody.
In case anyone was wondering, smart people are doing exciting things in the U.P., and it’s bound to get even better in the years ahead.
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A CAN’T MISS event for Star Wars fans this Thursday at the Ore Dock. A pop-up art show, one night only.
It’s something called “The Art of Force,” featuring art work inspired by Star Wars, submitted by 45 artists from around the world.
You’ll find not only the art but also plenty of costumed characters, a ton of fun, and oh yes, two new special Ore Dock brews–one from the light side, one from the dark.
All of this compliments of the Culture of Cult art series promoted by NMU art director Mike Forester who believes art shows don’t necessarily have to be high brow. They can be fun, they can be for everybody, and they can be enjoyed with a beer in your hand.
Ya gotta love what the Ore Dock is doing. They offer a venue for yoga classes, they provide a theater for Macbeth, and now they’re putting on a Star Wars art show. No, this ain’t your classic, dreary, slightly depressing bar for hunched-over, hazy-minded drinkers who’ve got nothing better to do with their lives.
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