Ann Arbor-based cannabis producer and retailer C3 Industries recently entered the Michigan cannabis market with the opening of its first Michigan retail location, High Profile, at 20327 Groesbeck Highway in Detroit.
C3 Industries was founded in 2016 by two University of Michigan graduates, Ankur and Vishal Rungta, and Joel Ruggiero. While their headquarters has remained in Ann Arbor, C3 spent its initial years expanding in Oregon due to the more robust cannabis market there.
Cofounder Ankur Rungta says C3 waited to open a location in Michigan until the state legalized recreational marijuana and the market was open. C3 will continue to do business in Oregon as the company opens locations and a manufacturing facility in Webberville, Mich.
"Oregon is a more mature market (than Michigan)," Rungta says. "I think Michigan is going to be a very exciting market for the cannabis industry. It's a larger state than Oregon, so it's a larger marketplace."
C3 Industries plans to open 15 to 20 dispensaries over the next two years, one of which will be located on Packard Street in Ann Arbor. Rungta says C3 will hire as many as 75 employees in the Ann Arbor area in both its corporate office and retail location as it expands its presence throughout the state.
"We'd love to have a second (store) in the area," Rungta says. "There's so much cannabis history in Ann Arbor, and when it comes to activism, Ann Arbor is at the forefront of it. We identify strongly with this town."
In all of C3's High Profile stores, Rungta says there is an emphasis on a unique, curated experience – from products to atmosphere. Each High Profile store will offer a variety of high-quality cannabis products, including C3's own line, Cloud Cover Cannabis.
A Detroit artist is set to provide artwork for the Ann Arbor location, and Rungta says custom artwork will be displayed in all retail stores for a richer customer experience.
"We want to do things differently," Rungta says. "We're going for a more unique retail experience."
Emily Benda is a freelance writer based in Ann Arbor. You can contact her at emily@emilybenda.com.
Photo courtesy of C3 Industries.
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