Michigan cannabis grow operation owner caught using N-word in text messages, denies being racist.
A high-quality cannabis grow operation in Michigan's Kalkaska has been marred by controversy after its owner was found to have used a racial slur in text messages. Timmy Holton, the white owner of Flos Cannabis, made the comments about one of his former employees, who is believed to be black.
In a series of texts obtained by Metro Times, Holton referred to the employee as a derogatory term and described them as someone who doesn't know what to do with their life. However, when confronted about the slur, Holton attempted to downplay its significance, saying he was not trying to defend himself but acknowledged he had "fucked up".
Holton's response to criticism sparked further debate, with one texter accusing him of being a racist despite his claims otherwise. The exchange showed that Holton felt pressure from those around him to apologize and take responsibility for his actions.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by cannabis businesses in Michigan, where employees often come from diverse backgrounds. Flos Cannabis has previously been cited twice this year for alleged violations related to product labeling and monitoring systems.
The owner's response to the controversy raises questions about accountability and sensitivity training within the industry. The incident also underscores the ongoing struggle to address systemic racism and bias in workplaces across various sectors.
A high-quality cannabis grow operation in Michigan's Kalkaska has been marred by controversy after its owner was found to have used a racial slur in text messages. Timmy Holton, the white owner of Flos Cannabis, made the comments about one of his former employees, who is believed to be black.
In a series of texts obtained by Metro Times, Holton referred to the employee as a derogatory term and described them as someone who doesn't know what to do with their life. However, when confronted about the slur, Holton attempted to downplay its significance, saying he was not trying to defend himself but acknowledged he had "fucked up".
Holton's response to criticism sparked further debate, with one texter accusing him of being a racist despite his claims otherwise. The exchange showed that Holton felt pressure from those around him to apologize and take responsibility for his actions.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by cannabis businesses in Michigan, where employees often come from diverse backgrounds. Flos Cannabis has previously been cited twice this year for alleged violations related to product labeling and monitoring systems.
The owner's response to the controversy raises questions about accountability and sensitivity training within the industry. The incident also underscores the ongoing struggle to address systemic racism and bias in workplaces across various sectors.
! Like, using a racial slur is never okay, no matter what you say afterwards 
. It's not like he was trying to be funny or ironic - it's just plain hurtful and unacceptable 
. And the fact that he tried to downplay it by saying he "fucked up" doesn't make it any better 
. I get that he didn't mean to offend, but that's not an excuse - we should all be more mindful of our words and actions, especially when they could hurt others 
. It's crazy how some people think they can just say sorry and move on, but it takes a lot more than that to make things right 
. Anyway, I'm definitely glad Flos Cannabis is being held accountable for this, even if the owner's not taking full responsibility himself 
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This whole ordeal is a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go in terms of addressing racism and promoting inclusivity, especially in industries where diversity is increasingly valued like cannabis 
. The fact that Holton's attempt to downplay the severity of his actions only fueled further accusations of insensitivity is telling 
. I think it's crucial for companies to prioritize implicit bias training and create safe spaces for employees to share their concerns without fear of reprisal 
... It's like, what did they expect when you're growing all that good stuff? The whole thing just stinks, man. People getting hurt by words is never okay 
. But at the same time, I get why Flos Cannabis owner Timmy Holton was trying to downplay it - he didn't want to lose business or customers over a single text message 
. It's all about damage control, right? The thing is, though, accountability matters. If you're gonna use words like that in a private conversation with someone, at least have the decency to apologize publicly when called out on it 
. And what really gets me is that this whole incident just highlights how far we still got to go in terms of treating people right and being empathetic towards each other's struggles 
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. I'm not sure what's more concerning - the fact that he used the word or his response to criticism after being called out on it 
. It sounds like he thinks he can just apologize and move on without really taking responsibility for his actions. Newsflash: saying sorry isn't enough, you have to listen and learn 
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. How come he's so quick to apologize when people call him out on it? Sounds like a PR stunt to me 
. And what about all the other times Flos Cannabis has been in trouble with the law? Is this just another example of a corporate America trying to sweep things under the rug? I need some hard evidence before I believe Holton's side of the story 
. Where are these text messages coming from, and how did they get obtained by Metro Times? This all seems like a bit of a fishy situation 
.