New book recounts how Michigan’s early cannabis entrepreneurs were crushed by raids, seizures, and legal limbo - Detroit Metro Times

Michigan's 2008 medical marijuana law was seen as a major turning point in the state's history, allowing patients to access cannabis without fear of prosecution. However, for early entrepreneurs like Ryan Richmond, who dared to follow the will of voters, the reality was far more brutal.

Richmond's memoir, "Capone of Cannabis," recounts the chaos and intimidation faced by medical marijuana businesses in Southeast Michigan during the law's early years. Despite being legal on paper, these businesses were subjected to aggressive enforcement tactics, including raids, asset seizures, and selective prosecutions.

Richmond himself became a target, with his dispensary, Clinical Relief, facing repeated raids and charges. He was eventually sentenced to federal prison for having the "nerve" to follow the law. Richmond's experience is not an isolated incident; many early cannabis entrepreneurs faced similar treatment at the hands of law enforcement and prosecutors.

The problem ran so deep that even Detroit police officers were accused of stealing evidence from medical marijuana dispensaries. This culture of abuse was fueled by asset forfeiture, a practice where cash and property suspected of being connected to crime were seized without judicial oversight.

Richmond's book highlights the role of selective prosecution in this chaos. Prosecutors seemed more interested in optics than actual evidence, targeting businesses that didn't fit their narrative rather than going after those who actually broke the law.

The consequences of this regulatory failure were severe. Patients and caregivers faced uncertainty and danger, while early operators like Richmond were forced to shut down or go into hiding. It wasn't until years later, when Michigan created a comprehensive licensing system for medical marijuana businesses, that things began to change.

Today, Michigan has one of the largest cannabis markets in the country, with dispensaries operating openly and taxes going to state and local governments. 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's memoir is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of protecting the rights of entrepreneurs and patients alike. As he writes, "We were the test cases... And once they were done with us, the state moved on." The story may be Detroit-specific, but it has far-reaching implications for cannabis reform and regulatory frameworks across the country.

I'm like, totally split on this whole thing . On one hand, I think Ryan Richmond's story is super frustrating and messed up - who gets sent to federal prison for trying to follow the law? That's just not right . But at the same time, I get that Michigan was all over the place back in 2008, and it's crazy that they didn't have a solid regulatory system in place .

I mean, on the other hand, Richmond's book does highlight some major issues with asset forfeiture and selective prosecution... like, what even is the point of having laws if you're just gonna use them to squeeze out businesses? . And it's wild that patients and caregivers were the ones who got hurt in all this - I'm talking about people who were trying to get relief for legit medical reasons .

But at the same time, I'm also like... what's the alternative? Should they just have closed up shop and let the black market take over? . And I guess Richmond does make a point that progress came at a cost - some people got trampled in the process, and it's not cool .

I dunno, man... I think we need to find a better way to regulate cannabis industries without crushing entrepreneurs and patients .

I'm still shook by the stories of what went down in Michigan back in 2008 . It's wild to think that people like Ryan Richmond were basically treated like outlaws just because they were trying to do something good for their patients . And the fact that prosecutors were more concerned with " optics" than actual evidence is just mind-blowing .

It's crazy to think about how far Michigan has come since then, but at what cost? Those early entrepreneurs and patients paid a heavy price just to get the industry off the ground . It's like they were the test cases, and once they got "done" with them, the state moved on .

We need more stories like this to shine a light on the darker side of regulatory failures . And it's not just Michigan - this is a cautionary tale for cannabis reform and regulatory frameworks across the country . We gotta make sure we're protecting the rights of entrepreneurs and patients, not crushing them in the name of "progress" .

man, this is wild thinkin' about all those early medical marijuana entrepreneurs in Michigan back in 2008... they were just tryin' to help people out you know? Ryan Richmond's story is like somethin' outta a movie, but it's super real too. I mean, can you even believe that Detroit cops were stealin' evidence from dispensaries?! it's crazy how corrupt the system was back then. asset forfeiture, selective prosecution... it's like they just made up rules as they went along. anyhoo, it's great to see how far Michigan has come now with their licensing system and all that. but at the same time, you gotta respect Richmond's courage in speakin' out about what happened back then.

This is a wild tale of how some people got treated like dirt just 'cause they dared to try something new. I mean, what's up with asset forfeiture? It's basically theft, right? And then you gotta wonder why more entrepreneurs didn't get caught in the middle of it all. Was it just about making an example out of them or... Anyway, Ryan Richmond's story is a reminder that progress ain't always pretty, and someone always gets hurt in the process

I'm not buying that Michigan's medical marijuana law was a straightforward success story. Rich guy writes memoir about how cops & prosecutors ran him outta business . How many others got crushed like him? What other "test cases" got "done with"? You need sources on this, fam! How much of this is just rich guy crying about his bad experience? And what's the real reason we're still dealing with this stuff in '25? Was it just a regulatory failure or was there more to it?

It's wild to think about how Michigan's medical marijuana law was basically just a smokescreen for all the chaos that ensued. I mean, you gotta feel bad for Ryan Richmond, who got dragged through the mud by the system despite doing nothing but following the law. Asset forfeiture is just a recipe for disaster - it's like the government had a blank check to harass and intimidate people into compliance without any real oversight. And what really gets me is that patients were the ones suffering the most, stuck in limbo while their caregivers were getting crushed by all this red tape. It's crazy to think about how far we've come, but at what cost?

It's crazy to think that just a few years ago, people who dared to follow the law in Michigan's medical marijuana industry were getting crushed by the system . Ryan Richmond's story is like something out of a movie - he started his dispensary with good intentions, but then got caught up in this wild goose chase of raids and asset seizures . The whole thing was super messed up because it was all about optics over actual evidence . Patients were suffering because of it, and even the police officers were involved in the scandal! It's a real cautionary tale about how unchecked power can destroy people's lives. I think we've come a long way since then with Michigan's new licensing system, but it's still wild to think about all that went down

I'm still surprised how many people don't know about this dark history in Michigan . It's crazy to think that just 'cause some voters said medical marijuana was a good idea, law enforcement would start picking on these entrepreneurs? Like, what even is the point of having a system if it's just gonna be used as an excuse to shut people down? Asset forfeiture is like the ultimate flex for corrupt cops - "oh look, we took this from someone who didn't do anything wrong, but also didn't get caught"... meanwhile, real crimes are happening elsewhere and nobody's even paying attention . Anyway, it's good that Michigan finally got its act together with that licensing system, but you can bet some people still got hurt in the process

I gotta say, this whole thing is super messed up . I mean, you'd think that since Michigan voters actually approved a law to help patients, they'd be protected, right? But nope! The state just let some rogue cops run amok, targeting businesses and entrepreneurs who were just trying to make a difference .

It's wild to think about how many people had to shut down or hide because of this chaos . Patients were the ones really suffering, but also those early cannabis entrepreneurs like Ryan Richmond, who got slammed with charges and even sent to federal prison .

But you know what? I still see a silver lining here . Because out of all that darkness came a new system, one that's actually working today . It just goes to show that regulatory failures can be learned from, and we can always try to do better in the future . And hey, at least Ryan Richmond is telling his story now, so we can learn from it and move forward !

I gotta say, Ryan Richmond's story is a real eye-opener . It's crazy to think that just because something's legal on paper doesn't mean you're safe from gettin' hammered by law enforcement. I mean, asset forfeiture is a whole other can of worms - it's like, no due process or anythin', and it's super unfair. And the fact that some cops were even accused of stealin' evidence? That's just wild .

It's clear that Michigan's early approach to medical marijuana was all about optics over actual enforcement . It's a shame that patients and caregivers had to suffer because of it, and it's even more tragic that some entrepreneurs like Richmond got locked up for tryin' to do the right thing.

But here's the thing - Richmond's story ain't just about Detroit or Michigan, it's about cannabis reform nationwide . We gotta learn from this mess and make sure we're protectin' the rights of everyone involved in the industry. So yeah, let's give props to Richmond for speakin' truth to power , and maybe it'll inspire some real change .

man that's so sad ... like, you gotta feel for Ryan Richmond, right? he was just trying to do what was good for people's lives and get persecuted for it . and the worst part is that it wasn't even about the weed itself, but about who got in power and decided to use their influence to shut down businesses . asset forfeiture is like, a whole 'nother level of messed up ... i mean, what's next? taking people's cars because they don't pay their parking tickets? anyway, it's good that things changed eventually, but it's crazy how many people had to go through what Ryan went through before we got where we are today .

Dude, this is super wild that these early medical marijuana businesses in Michigan were literally being torn apart by law enforcement . I mean, can you believe they had to raid dispensaries, seize assets, and even steal evidence from them? It's crazy how some cops were more interested in causing trouble than actually solving crimes.

And it's not just the business owners who suffered, but also the patients and caregivers who relied on these businesses for their medication. I feel bad for Ryan Richmond, dude. He was basically set up by the system and ended up in federal prison for trying to follow the law .

It's a good thing Michigan created that comprehensive licensing system later on, but it's still mind-blowing how much abuse went down in those early years. It's like, you'd think with a law like medical marijuana, things would be more straightforward, but nope. There were so many loopholes and ways to exploit the system for personal gain.

Anyway, I'm kinda glad we're further down the road now, but it's still wild to think about how much these early entrepreneurs were put through .

man... reading about Ryan Richmond's story is like, super disheartening . I mean, you're trying to help people, right? provide them with a safe place to get their meds, and then BAM! law enforcement comes out of nowhere, making life impossible for these entrepreneurs. it's just, like, so unjust .

i feel bad for Richmond and the other early adopters who got screwed over by the system. i mean, asset forfeiture is, like, a total scam . how can you just take someone's property without even giving them a chance to prove their innocence? it's not right.

and yeah, it's crazy that even Detroit cops were stealing from dispensaries . that's just, like, low . but the thing is, these people didn't do anything wrong. they were just trying to help others and make a living.

anyway, I think Richmond's book is gonna be super informative, but also kinda depressing . it's like, we're still seeing some of these issues today, in other states and industries too... so yeah

I just read this thread and I gotta say, Ryan Richmond's story is wild . Like, how can law enforcement be so aggressive towards people who are just trying to help others? It's messed up that he had to go through all that for following the law. And asset forfeiture is like, a whole other level of corruption . I'm glad Michigan changed their laws and created a comprehensive licensing system, but it's still crazy to think about how far people were pushed out of the industry because of politics.

And what really gets me is that prosecutors were more concerned with optics than actual evidence . It's like, they were trying to make an example out of these entrepreneurs instead of actually enforcing the law. I feel bad for Ryan and all the other people who got hurt in this process. His memoir should be required reading for anyone interested in cannabis reform .

[Image of a person getting arrested with a " wanted" poster behind them]



[Video of a police car driving away from a dispensary with sirens blaring]



[Image of a calendar with a red X marked on it, next to the words "Regulation failed"]

This whole thing is just wild man. I mean, you got these people tryna make a living off medical marijuana in Michigan, right? And then BAM! The system turns on 'em. It's like they were just pawns in a game nobody even wanted to play. Asset forfeiture, selective prosecution... it's all just so messed up .

I feel for Ryan Richmond and the other entrepreneurs who got caught in this mess. They're not even cannabis users themselves, they're just trying to make a buck and help people out. It's like the state was just lookin' for ways to screw 'em over. But you know what? Michigan's all better now . The licensing system's in place, dispensaries are open... it's all good. But let this be a lesson to anyone tryna get into the cannabis game: you gotta watch your back .

And can we talk about how corrupt the system is for a second? I mean, Detroit cops stealin' evidence from dispensaries? That's just wrong . The whole thing just feels like a big ol' mess, but hey... progress, right?

.. this is a total reality check . I mean, you gotta wonder how something that's supposed to help people can actually end up being so brutal? It's like, we're talking about medical marijuana here, right? People who need it to live with pain or something... but instead of support and resources, they get harassed and targeted by law enforcement.

It's a classic case of "selective prosecution" - where the powers that be just pick on certain businesses or people because they don't fit their narrative. And it's not just about the cannabis industry, either. It's a broader issue with how power is wielded in society... and how we protect the rights of entrepreneurs and patients.

It's wild to think that Michigan was able to create this massive cannabis market without some major lessons learned from the early days. Like, what happened to those people who got caught up in all that? And now they're just "test cases" - disposable pawns for politicians to move around on a board of regulatory power.

Anyway, it's a sobering reminder of how far we've still got to go when it comes to reform and protecting our citizens' rights.

This is wild - some business owners just following the law get thrown in federal prison because of who they are not what they did. Like, what even is that? The whole thing with asset forfeiture is also super sketchy . I mean, if you're gonna take evidence without a judge then at least give people a fair trial right?

I'm shocked by the way early medical marijuana entrepreneurs like Ryan Richmond were treated in Michigan . I mean, you'd think that a law meant to help people would at least be implemented fairly, but instead they faced aggressive enforcement and selective prosecutions. It's crazy how asset forfeiture was used to fuel this abuse - it's basically extortion . Patients and caregivers were left in the dark, and it took years for Michigan to get its act together with a comprehensive licensing system. Even now, you've got dispensaries operating openly, but it's clear that progress came at a cost, and that's a hard pill to swallow . We need to make sure we're protecting the rights of entrepreneurs and patients alike, not just pushing them around for politics or personal gain .