Cannabis – The Rise and Fall and Trail of Survivors Pile Up

Thieves make off with 1,000 pounds of premium flower in cannabis from a corporate grower in Michigan. Then, the GM sells off 650+ pounds to pay employees.

The recent theft of over 1,000 pounds of marijuana from 305 Farms, a corporate cannabis grower in West Michigan, has raised serious concerns in the industry.

This incident, which involved more than $600,000 worth of product, occurred at the farm’s expansive 39-acre facility in Lawrence, located about 30 miles west of Kalamazoo.

Investigations suggest that individuals with insider knowledge may have played a role in the crime. Like many cultivators across the state, 305 Farms has been facing significant challenges in this competitive market.

In July 2024, a group of employees filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that it had failed to compensate them for thousands of dollars in wages owed.

The oversaturation of Michigan’s legal cannabis market has led to historically low prices, creating significant hurdles for cultivators trying to thrive in this challenging landscape.

A few days later and this happens…

Michigan cannabis manager decisively sells off the harvest to resolve overdue payments to staff.

Oct 28, 2024 – The general manager of 305 Farms is currently under scrutiny for possible criminal charges related to the sale of over 660 pounds of cannabis, with nearly $270,000 in proceeds allegedly utilized to pay his employees for outstanding wages.

Employees allege that the company indicated termination would be a consequence for not returning the funds from the sale as 305 Farms has faced a considerable reduction in its workforce over the past year.

Allegedly they have been enduring a work environment characterized by threats, humiliation, lack of compensation, and excessive stress.

Via hearsay it is alleged that the company owed more than an estimated $1 million in unpaid wages beforethe GM’s defiant sale. 

There will be more to come.