Michigan Brewery to offer a Private Cannabis Club

Article originally written by Brad Devereaux at MLIVE
Source: Kalamazoo brewery to offer private cannbis club

This past November, Michigan voters passed a measure legalizing the use of recreational marijuana within their state. The measure allows for the use of marijuana in in private places but still prohibits its use in the public realm. Mark Rupert, owner of Rupert's Brew House located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is striving to change that.

Rupert looks to occasionally close his downtown brewery to hold private events and invite individuals inside to smoke or consume other products. During these private events, Rupert's Brew House will transform into "The Cooperative." For a small charge of $5 per event, or $20 a year, legal smokers can enjoy a private and comforting setting where they can bring their own marijuana products to consume while sharing knowledge and conversation with like-minded individuals.

Rupert says that the social club is meant to build a community around cannabis culture.

"There are not a lot of places that are welcoming to the ... idea of cannabis being recreational," Rupert says. "I think it's important for the community to have a place where they can feel comfortable talking about cultivation or the culture of cannabis on top of everything we already do with the craft beer."

From a legal standpoint, things may not be so easy for Rupert. David Harns from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs said a licensee with a brewer's license could face a liquor control commission hearing for closing its doors to the public as a licensee must remain public while holding an active license.

"A brewery may not act as a private club unless they surrender their liquor license to the Commision or put it in escrow," Harns explained. Harns also included that a licensee is also not exempt from receiving penalties in the form of fines, suspension, or revocation depending on the situation.

In response, Rupert said he believes that he only has to maintain public hours at the brewery to maintain his license. Rupert hopes people such as artists who utilize the drug to have a place where they will not feel judged or intimidated. Rupert also plans to have events in the future, such as seminars about glassblowing and other topics.

The Cooperation only intends to allow use of the drug during events, and does not intend on selling them to members.

For many, cannabis culture and consumption is nothing new, Rupert added.

"We've all be doing this for 30, 40 years," he said. "We're going to do it anyway, we might as well embrace it in a legal environment where we can come together, have a good beer, have a good bowl and relax."

The first event is set to take place at 10:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 12th. Rupert plans for the club to be inclusive, allowing people to to join and stay as long as they please seeing as though they do not cause any problems at the event space.