GRAND RAPIS, MI — Four Grand Rapids marijuana businesses say they’re victims of “municipal extortion,” alleging the city used threats to their licenses to extract millions of dollars for a social equity nonprofit that’s not functioning.
An amended lawsuit filed in Kent County Circuit Court on March 17 alleges the city and its partnered nonprofit, Seeding Justice Grand Rapids, are sitting on more than $3 million collected from marijuana businesses that’s pegged for social equity efforts.
The companies challenge the legality of the program, say the nonprofit isn’t operating and funds are “missing or unaccounted for,” something city officials dispute…