Marijuana consumers in Detroit now have another way to get pot delivered to their door with the launch of Eaze, one of the nation's largest cannabis delivery services.
Eaze, the San Francisco-based online ordering platform that recently expanded to Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, now comes to Detroit through a partnership with Pleasantrees, a Michigan cannabis grower and seller with stores in Hamtramck and elsewhere.
"This allows customers to find their favorite, and try, new products from the comfort of home," Rogelio Choy, CEO of Eaze, told the Free Press. "We believe delivery is going to be a huge part of the Michigan success story."
Eaze expands at a time when Michigan's recreational cannabis market is booming. The state hit another monthly high last month with more than $128 million in sales, topping the record set in July by $56,000, Andrew Brisbo, the executive director of Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency, said in a tweet.
"The past 18 months have shown us deliveries are a fast-growing part of the market and are here to stay," Choy said. "If we're going to be successful in Michigan, we have to be successful in Detroit."
Eaze joins other cannabis delivery services already operating in Detroit, including Lantern, an online ordering site that offers on-demand delivery that expanded to Detroit a year ago, and Breeze, a recreational dispensary in Hazel Park that delivers.
There are no recreational pot dispensaries in the city of Detroit because the processing of recreational marijuana applications was put on hold indefinitely by a federal judge in June. There are several dispensaries in the surrounding suburbs, though.
Choy said what sets Eaze apart is its low prices: "We offer great daily deals, we offer discounts to customers as we enter the market with very low minimum order values of $35," he said, adding that deliveries don't need to be scheduled in advance. Daily deals range from 30% off a selection of fall favorites to 25% off for veterans.
As a part of the company's expansion, the company will hire more than 250 drivers across Michigan over the next year. Choy said the company offers a competitive hourly pay, mileage reimbursements and health care benefits and paid time off for full-time drivers."Delivery specialists" are W-2 employees and can make more than $30 per hour when factoring in the hourly wage, mileage reimbursements and tips.
Choy said he believes that what also will attract employees and customers to Eaze is Eaze's commitment to social equity. Eaze has a business accelerator for underrepresented business founders called Momentum that's currently accepting applicants for its 2022 class. Each member receives a $50,000 grant and Eaze takes no equity in participants’ businesses.
Choy said the company plans to expand so that eventually, the majority of Michigan residents will be able to order marijuana for delivery from Eaze. He said he also hopes to introduce some California cannabis brands to Michigan consumers.
To order, consumers can go to Eaze.com or download the Eaze app on their iPhone and on Android phones. All new Eaze customers can get $30 off their first two orders by registering using this link: Eaze.com/invite/eazefirsttime. All Eaze customers in Michigan will get 15% off orders of $75 or more, 20% off orders of $125 or more and 25% off orders of $200 or more.
Seth Yakatan
Known for solutions that yield results, Seth Yakatan has completed or advised on acquisitions and corporate finance transactions totaling over $3 billion. He is CEO of Katan Associates International—a financial strategy and merchant banking firm specializing in commercialization and asset monetization—especially those within life-science and e-commerce sectors.
Source:
https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2021/11/17/recreational-cannabis-delivery-service-eaze-expands-detroit/8586673002