Michigan Marijuana Shop’s Bigfoot Statue Is Creating Controversy, With Critics Saying It Appeals To Kids

There’s somehow a *second* Bigfoot and marijuana news story coming out of
Michigan in the span of a single month, with controversy swirling around a
14-foot Sasquatch statue outside of a cannabis store that some say sends
the wrong message to children.

Previously, an alleged Bigfoot sighting in Monroe County last month sparked
some creativity within the marijuana community when, earlier this month,
the dispensary Uniq Cannabis started offering a free pre-roll to anyone who
brought in photographic proof of the mythological creature.

Now, a Sasquatch statue outside the separate retailer Higher Love, located
in Menominee, is at the center of controversy. The exhibit became a talking
point at the city planning commission’s meeting this month, where certain
community members argued that the faux beast could attract the attention of
youth—with one resident advising the panel to “think about what mascots
they see in our community and how they are impacting children.”

Karianne Lesperance, executive director of the Healthy Youth Coalition,
also sent a letter to the commission that some students have “expressed
concern about how these efforts may be normalizing use or influencing young
people.”

Joni Moore, president of Higher Love, shared a different perspective.

“I would be in opposition to that,” she told The Eagle Herald. “This is not
a cartoon character. Our Sasquatch that’s in front of the store is a little
bit scary, so I don’t see how that’s targeting children at all.”

“Everybody loves Sasquatch,” she said. “And people in especially forested
areas seem to identify with Sasquatch. He is an adventurous character and
it’s really just Higher Love trying to have some fun.”

“Every time I go to a public meeting, there’s always a hater in the
audience who just doesn’t like cannabis. That’s fine. People are entitled
to their opinions. It just brings a little whimsy to a community and I
think it’s all positive. I don’t see any problems at all.”

Michael Scholle, the code and zoning officer in Menominee, said he spoke
with City Attorney Michael Celello and was advised that the Bigfoot statue
doesn’t violate local laws on signage.

Beyond standing up Bigfoot statues or offering deals for evidence of a
mythological creature, marijuana companies have sought to gain publicity in
a number of creative ways.

For example, Rolling Derby, a group founded by a group of cannabis industry
veterans, announced last month that they have organized a series of
“speed-rolling” tournaments, where adults 21 and older can compete against
each other virtually or in person to see who can successfully fashion a
joint the fastest.

Late last year, Toker’s Guide—which offers an online directory of
dispensaries in several jurisdictions—listed series of job listings seeking
experienced cannabis consumers in states across the U.S. to sample and
review marijuana products.

Also last year, the rolling paper company DaySavers announced they’d pay
$4.20 to volunteers willing to smoke two free pre-rolled joints and provide
feedback on their smokability.

DaySavers separately launched a campaign last March to hire for what it
calls the “ultimate stoner dream job,” seeking a content creator to “get
paid to smoke weed.” The full-time social media creator and event marketer
job pays $70,420 with perks including cannabis product testing and all
expenses paid travel to marijuana events.

Some other high-profile clients have also offered to pay people for rolling
joints–for example Snoop Dogg, who said several years ago that he pays
someone $40,000 to $50,000 per year to have blunts readily available.

Meanwhile, although it won’t feature a speed-rolling tournament, the
California State Fair will once again feature a cannabis exhibit and
competition at this year’s event, with expanded award categories meant to
showcase the diversity of the state’s market.

Snoop Dogg Expands His Cannabis Brand Again, With New THCA Hemp Product
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The post Michigan Marijuana Shop’s Bigfoot Statue Is Creating Controversy,
With Critics Saying It Appeals To Kids appeared first on Marijuana Moment.