Here’s a first look at NBA Hall of Famer Chris Webber’s massive cannabis facility in Detroit
The Webber Wellness Compound offers consumption zones, professional training, and deletions for the all-star’s hometown
Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Webber will open a cannabis compound in southwest Detroit. The native of Detroit broke ground for the 180,000 square meter facility last week with partners Lavetta Willis and Jason Wild.
The $ 50 million facility will be owned by Player Only Holdings, founded by Webber and Willis to focus on “cannabis assets (cultivation and retail), brand partnerships, and creative content development and management (agency)” to concentrate, it says in a press release.
The site will have large cultivation, pharmacy and consumer areas for the public. There will also be a training program run by Cookies U and recruitment opportunities for underrepresented groups in education and cultivation.
“We’re trying to get people from the community,” Willis said. “We don’t have to get out of the community. Right here in Detroit we will select the people for the training. “
In November, Detroit announced that half of its 75 cannabis licenses would go to “old residents” of the city.
Willis announced that they will focus on including those who have been banned from the industry, especially black and brown communities, both business owners and other roles.
“Some people don’t want to be business owners, so we want to make sure everyone has a chance to participate in this growing, amazing industry,” she said.
Webber announced that the training will include a three-month intensive program that will cover a wide range of jobs, from budding or selling cannabis to growing marijuana.
Another component of the project is the WebberWildWillis Foundation. The nonprofit will serve black and brown communities negatively affected by the war on drugs.
JW Asset Management’s Jason Wild helped kick-start the project with his $ 100 million private equity cannabis fund, which was launched in February. His company has over $ 1 billion under management, which means the Webber Wellness Compound will receive significant support from Wild’s network.
“This is an area in dire need of investment and for people to come and see the history and characteristics of this community,” said Jonathan Kinloch, commissioner of Wayne County, of the deal. “Chris has always been Detroit. He always pushed Detroit wherever he was. “
Webber’s complex will also feature a virtual GED program and financial literacy. “It’s my biggest priority in life,” said Webber. “I saw who [Willis] and I have helped across the country and lives disrupted by cannabis. Hopefully we can fix a little. Hopefully we can help the city. “
The new member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2021 recently moved home to oversee this and other projects for his community. “It feels so good to come home and be part of all the great things again,” he added.
Webber was a national star when he played for Detroit Country Day High School. He went on to become a college basketball icon staring for the Michigan University Fab Five and becoming a professional five times All Star with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
The new development is located on Michigan Avenue, less than a mile from the newly renovated Ford Motor Co. site. Soon, up to 5,000 employees could be visiting the area when they leave their jobs, creating a large customer base for the commercial operations on the site.
The project extends over nine hectares and is scheduled to begin this fall. Phase one should be completed by March 2022.
Calvin Stovall
Calvin Stovall writes and produces media in Atlanta, GA and runs the day-to-day business for The Artistic Unified Exchange, a nonprofit that protects intellectual property on behalf of independent artists and underserved communities.
View article by Calvin Stovall
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