Detroit gets 90 applications for 60 limited pot licenses

• That means licenses to sell to consumers are highly sought-after, making the application period tense.

Between the lines: Detroit took applications Sept.1-Oct.1 for retailers, micro-businesses and consumption lounges. There are 160 total licenses available that are being broken into three phases.

• The phase one applicant pool includes 40 social equity businesses — owned by those hurt by the war on drugs — and 50 general applicants, Kim James, director of the city's marijuana office, said in a statement.
• The 160 license total will be half equity and half nonequity.

The big picture: While suburbs have allowed nonmedical pot shops for years, Detroit doesn't yet. It's taken so long due to litigation and how long the city took crafting equity and inclusion rules.

• Existing medical cannabis retailers here aren't making much money and are worried about losing out on recreational licenses that will help them stay competitive.

What we're watching: We still don't know exactly when you'll be able to buy recreational cannabis legally in Detroit.

• City Council approved a contractor Oct. 18 to score these applications, with a review process expected to take six to eight weeks.