Pure Options: A local gem in a growing industry

When it comes to the emerging cannabis industry, people need local businesses they can trust to sell quality and safe products by intrepid leaders of the national conversation around the standardization and legalization of cannabis. cannabis use.

Thanks to pioneers and lobbyists in the cannabis conversation like Sam Usman Jr., founder and CEO of the local Pure Options dispensary, residents of Lansing can purchase and use award-winning cannabis products.

According to Usman’s LinkedIn profile, he has “helped lobby state and local authorities for a regulatory framework that benefits and protects all stakeholders – from patients and consumers to municipalities and state government.”

Usman graduated from the State of Michigan in 2005 with a degree in criminal justice. After climbing the corporate ladder from 2006 to 2010, Usman fulfilled his vocation.

“What I realized was that I wanted to work for myself,” Usman said.

Usman started a liquor distribution business, but six months after starting his business, a friend of his sent him a 300-page business plan in Colorado to be part of a legal cannabis business. Already familiar with the cannabis industry and being pleasantly surprised by the signs of cannabis regulation, Usman saw an opportunity.

“I had no idea that cannabis would ever be legal in my lifetime,” Usman said. “So as soon as I saw that I ended up liquidating everything I had in the spirits industry and invested in cannabis.”

Under the Caregivers Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, or MMMA, a law that allows anyone 21 years of age or older without any crime in the past 10 years to be the primary caregiver, except for previous violent crimes. Usman decided to return home to Michigan and do more research to better understand the product.

“I thought Michigan was going to adopt rules like Colorado back then, so for a good seven or eight years I bought it locally and at the state-level editorial board for the initiative. good vote, ”Usman said.

What Usman didn’t realize until further research and informal conversations about cannabis were the medicinal benefits of the plant, which can help thousands of people with appetite, sleep and pain issues. .

“That’s when I decided to really fight back and invest the money in lobbying efforts for regulation, testing and whatever any other industry needs to be credible. and survive, ”Usman said.

A firm believer in the safe use of cannabis, Usman has been pushing for cannabis reform since 2011.

Additionally, Usman launched Pure Options in 2011 and started selling on the gray market – where products are sold legally, but outside of the original manufacturer approval – due to cannabis which is not yet regulated; Usman finally got a license to sell in 2018.

Given the large and diverse combination of Usman’s entrepreneurial bug, the lobbying efforts of his staff, the ‘hands off’ policies of former Lansing Mayor Virgil Bernero, and the ever-growing acceptance of cannabis, Usman was able to overcome many hurdles for Pure Options at a leading dispensary.

So … what is Pure Options?

Pure Options is a dispensary with five locations, including three in Lansing, that sells award-winning products such as their Moonbow, Rainbow Belt, and Garlic Breath strands, which won this year’s top three Cannabis Cup Michigan.

“We are known to have some of the best cannabis in the state,” Usman said. “By default, if you have a really good flower, your concentrates are good.”

According to Usman, what makes Pure Options truly special is the philosophy of their staff.

“We have a lot of people who have stood up for the industry, and we want to showcase them as much as possible,” Usman said. “compared to some of the other conglomerates who have come and tried to dictate where the industry should go without knowing anything about the culture or fighting for it in any way.”

Pure Options isn’t just a dispensary that saw the cannabis industry grow and took the opportunity to make big bucks – they were part of the local effort.

With flashy licensing deals like EDM artist and former MSU student Grizz playing in Pure Options’ large parking lot on opening weekend, Pure Options is in a spectacular place to continue to grow.

However, as Usman grew up in the area and being an alumnus himself, he would like to develop a relationship with the school and wants students to know that he is looking for MSU alumni on CVs.

“If you’re a good person, you work hard, we have a place for you,” Usman said.