In a classroom near filled, John Sismore, a 43-year-old general contractor who has been struggling to find work ever since the housing bubble popped, sits alongside Debbie Warner, 37, who still cannot find work since being laid off at General Motors Power Train in Toledo, nearly 18 months ago. It seems to be the central story of the mid-west region in the last 3 years, economic downturn, but something is driving these people to move Michigan.
The catalyst is Michigan’s medical marijuana law, which despite having a sizable amount of negative press as of late, is still driving people to the Metro Detroit region.
John and Debbie are part of a October class of 35 students at Med Grow Cannabis College in Southfield, about 25 of their classmates are also from out of state. “Nearly 60 percent of all our business this month is from out of state” said Nick Tennant, who is the 25 year old Founder of Med Grow. “See that couple there, they are from Illinois, they are looking for a house in Madison Heights after class lets out today.” said Tennant.