In a significant move within Michigan’s cannabis industry, Lume Cannabis Co . is set to take over a large cannabis grow operation near Lansing, previously operated by Skymint. The transition comes as Skymint restructures, stepping away from cultivation to focus on its retail presence across the state.
Strategic Growth Amidst Industry Realignments
Lume, a leading force in the state’s cannabis sector, signed a letter of intent to buy the 56,000-square-foot facility in Dimondale’s Harvest Park, which is owned by Innovative Industrial Properties, reported Crain's Detroit.
Skymint’s decision to cease operations there by March 1, aligns with its financial restructuring strategy following a challenging period of receivership and subsequent asset acquisition by Tropics LP. The closure of this facility, Skymint’s last in Michigan, signals a shift towards sourcing products externally while maintaining its retail presence.
Conversely, Lume’s move to acquire the facility underscores its ambition to solidify its footprint in Michigan’s burgeoning cannabis sector. Doug Hellyar, the company's president and COO announced plans for a swift takeover, with due diligence underway to secure a long-term lease with property owner Innovative Industrial Properties.
Investment And Innovation At The Forefront
Lume aims to have its first harvest at the Dimondale facility by August. The ambitious plans include significant investments in a state-of-the-art lighting system and other technological upgrades, positioning Lume as a potential leader in live rosin production nationwide.
The transition may offer a lifeline to some of the 143 employees previously working under Skymint at the Harvest Park facility, though the exact number to be retained remains undetermined. The move also facilitates an expansion of Lume’s growing operations at its Evart facility, highlighting the company’s growth trajectory and commitment to meet consumer demand.
A Different Perspective from Lume's Chief Cultivation Offer.
Kevin Kuethe, Chief Cultivation Officer for Lume Cannabis Co., a vertically integrated cannabis company with indoor and outdoor cultivation plus more than three dozen stores in Michigan, digs into the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working in the industry. Kuethe was featured in the Cannabis Business Times January/February 2024 cover story in a profile about Lume's strategic rise in the Michigan market and its first attempt to expand operations outside of its home state.

When asked about the challenges facing the Michigan cannabis market that others can learn from, Kuethe said: “There are so many challenges! I think one of the biggest challenges is dealing with the consistent rule changes. There's a rule change every day and a half or something in the cannabis industry. So, staying on top of that, making sure that you are being efficient and following the rules, and also translating that to your employees because it takes new training and comprehension every time something like that happens.

“I always say if you can operate successfully in the cannabis industry, you could probably run any business because there are more regulatory changes and operational changes that happen than any other industry. And it's consistent because they're still learning as we go.”

With prime business leaders like Kevin Kuethe and Doug Hellyar at the helm, Lume is positioned for long term success in the Michigan cannabis market.