THREE RIVERS, Mich. (AP) — A judge approved a deal Friday to try to solve a major buzzkill: Employees at a Michigan marijuana dispensary chain said management was keeping tips left by happy customers.

Timber Cannabis, which has seven locations, agreed to pay $205,000 to settle a lawsuit, though it admitted no liability in making the deal. Lawyers are entitled to one-third.

Terms of the agreement seem “fair and appropriate,” U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman said during a brief hearing.

The lead plaintiff, budtender Chad Underwood, said he was making as much as $150 per shift in tips before management changed course in 2024 and began taking money left in a basket or jar, according to the lawsuit.

Timber Cannabis denied violating federal wage law in its formal response to the lawsuit. More than 60 employees will qualify for the settlement, said attorney Angeli Murthy, who represents them.

Recreational use of marijuana was made legal in Michigan in 2018 for people age 21 and older.

‘Magistrate Specialty Webinar’ presented July 10

The Michigan Judicial Institute will present a “Magistrate Specialty Webinar” on Thursday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom.

MJI is pleased to offer a webinar for district court magistrates that will focus on:

• Statutory, Court Rule, and Caselaw Update

• Ethics

• Pretrial Release: Strategies and Considerations

• Increasing Public Trust and Confidence

Speaking at the webinar will be: 

• Dr. Kelvin Banks, associate director at The Center for Effective Public Policy

• Zenell Brown, Fairness and Accountability administrator, State Court Administrative Office, Michigan Supreme Court

• Abby Graves, court analyst, State Court Administrative Office, Michigan Supreme Court

• Bobbi Morrow, management analyst, State Court Administrative Office, Michigan Supreme Court

• Alison Shames, director, The Center for Effective Public Policy

MJI anticipates this webinar will qualify for up to 5.0 CJE credit hours: [Judicial Practice and Related Areas (2.5 hours) and Integrity and Demeanor (2.5 hours)].

To register for the webinar, visit https://mjieducation.mi.gov and click on “events.”

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