Law Michigan MMJ

[momofthegoons]

@Baron23 things are nuts in Michigan... and reefer madness is alive and well. There were 6 meetings held statewide yesterday for the nonsense below.
If you can stomach it there's also a new's coverage video in the og article.

Groups against recreational marijuana initiative hold events statewide

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — A prediction from a group that wants to reform Michigan's marijuana laws is that our state will be the first in the Midwest to have legal recreational marijuana.

However, another group is stepping forward to try and prevent those changes from taking place.

Several events were held across Michigan on Tuesday were voters were encouraged not to approve Proposal One in November.

Their press release headline "Recreational marijuana: terrible for Michigan” sums it up.

The Bronner Performing Arts Center in Frankenmuth was one of six locations statewide where representatives of law enforcement, business, education and medical professionals came together with a message, they say, to ‘make Michigan safer’.

They're calling for the defeat of a November ballot proposal that would make Michigan the 10th state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana.

Among the guest speakers was Matthew Yascolt, the grass roots director of "Healthy and Productive Michigan".

"Legalizing recreational marijuana is bringing in another addictive industry, an industry that is going to profit from addiction. And just like big tobacco saw, you need to market to people under the age of 18 to get these life-long consumers,” said Yascolt.

Not so, said Rick Thompson, with the Michigan branch of the National Organization Calling for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Thompson disputes the claims of groups that oppose recreational marijuana legalization and went as far as to characterize the statewide press conferences on Wednesday as nothing more than a scare tactic.

"A lot of the claims that are being made by law enforcement don't really have national examples to back them up. And sometime fear tactics are the resort of those who are losing the battle. And, unfortunately, I heard a lot of fear tactics today,” said Thompson.

If approved, Proposal One would allow for marijuana to be regulated by alcohol, allow anyone over 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces of it and provide for a 10 percent excise tax on all marijuana sales.

Proposal one will be on the November ballot.

And here's another article on what went down yesterday... with another vid that I couldn't embed...

Debate Over Michigan Recreational Marijuana Vote Heats

Wednesday law enforcement across the state came out hard against the proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.

Michigan could become the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana, but it’s clear there is a now a full court press both for and against it.

Robert Marsh lost his daughter Tanya in January of 2017 to an opioid overdose. He believes the use of marijuana played a role in her addiction to prescription drugs. He worries more families will go through his pain if Proposal 1 passes.

“A good friend, a deputy had told me several times that it’s a gateway drug, it’s a gateway drug, and I’m like, eh, I don’t know if I believe that, today I believe that. Aren’t our kids worth more than this? Really? We can do better than this,” said Marsh.

Northern Michigan prosecutors say they’re worried about safety on the roads and workplaces if marijuana were legalized.

“What they’re looking to do is to take what they’ve done in other states and open the floodgates here in Michigan and we can’t afford that,” said Wexford County Prosecutor Jason Elmore.

‘All their spreading around is fear,” said Rev. Steven Thompson of Benzie County NORML.

But Rev. Steven Thompson of Benzie County NORML argues Michigan would stand to benefit greatly from passing Proposal 1.

“For the law enforcement and prosecutors it would free them up to where they can go after real criminals and deal with issues that have victims that are on back burners right now,” said Thompson.

Thompson also points to potential financial gain.

“It is going to be specifically earmark and divided up for education, to fix our roads finally and to also go back to the municipalities that allow recreational cannabis dispensaries in their community,” said Thompson.

Recreational marijuana proposals have not always enjoyed broad support.

Voters in Arizona and Ohio recently turned down similar ballot measures.

 

[Baron23]

"Legalizing recreational marijuana is bringing in another addictive industry, an industry that is going to profit from addiction. And just like big tobacco saw, you need to market to people under the age of 18 to get these life-long consumers,” said Yascolt.

Who is this do-do head (sorry, sort of kind of name calling but....don't you agree?)

Wednesday law enforcement across the state came out hard against the proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.

Here is my view of this overall...I was a military officer at one time. It was made VERY clear to us that we were stricly execution of national policy, not makers of security policy in any manner or form. THIS is why we don't have military coups...well, this and a number of other reasons. I feel that this is completely applicable to law enforcement. Please note that the word is law enforcement...not law creation.

I really think these guys have a conflict of interest and are primarily protecting their rice bowl which includes drug prohibition enforcement...with its attendant budget and arrest rate.

But if you think about it...there are still flat earthers so why not reefer madness.

He believes the use of marijuana played a role in her addiction to prescription drugs.

Well, I believe in the tooth fairy...but that doesn't make it real. What ever happened to objective evidence???

Yeah, the battle lines are drawn but MI has a VERY large and long standing med program. All of these patients have friends and family who, based on first hand observation, know that these scare tactics are without validity. I have confidence in the electorate of MI to do the right thing this Nov and pass this referendum (please, from my keyboard to god's ear...and no, I'm actually not religious! )

 

[Shredder]

@Baron23 things are nuts in Michigan... and reefer madness is alive and well. There were 6 meetings held statewide yesterday for the nonsense below.
If you can stomach it there's also a new's coverage video in the og article.

Groups against recreational marijuana initiative hold events statewide

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — A prediction from a group that wants to reform Michigan's marijuana laws is that our state will be the first in the Midwest to have legal recreational marijuana.

However, another group is stepping forward to try and prevent those changes from taking place.

Several events were held across Michigan on Tuesday were voters were encouraged not to approve Proposal One in November.

Their press release headline "Recreational marijuana: terrible for Michigan” sums it up.

The Bronner Performing Arts Center in Frankenmuth was one of six locations statewide where representatives of law enforcement, business, education and medical professionals came together with a message, they say, to ‘make Michigan safer’.

They're calling for the defeat of a November ballot proposal that would make Michigan the 10th state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana.

Among the guest speakers was Matthew Yascolt, the grass roots director of "Healthy and Productive Michigan".

"Legalizing recreational marijuana is bringing in another addictive industry, an industry that is going to profit from addiction. And just like big tobacco saw, you need to market to people under the age of 18 to get these life-long consumers,” said Yascolt.

Not so, said Rick Thompson, with the Michigan branch of the National Organization Calling for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Thompson disputes the claims of groups that oppose recreational marijuana legalization and went as far as to characterize the statewide press conferences on Wednesday as nothing more than a scare tactic.

"A lot of the claims that are being made by law enforcement don't really have national examples to back them up. And sometime fear tactics are the resort of those who are losing the battle. And, unfortunately, I heard a lot of fear tactics today,” said Thompson.

If approved, Proposal One would allow for marijuana to be regulated by alcohol, allow anyone over 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces of it and provide for a 10 percent excise tax on all marijuana sales.

Proposal one will be on the November ballot.

And here's another article on what went down yesterday... with another vid that I couldn't embed...

Debate Over Michigan Recreational Marijuana Vote Heats

Wednesday law enforcement across the state came out hard against the proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.

Michigan could become the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana, but it’s clear there is a now a full court press both for and against it.

Robert Marsh lost his daughter Tanya in January of 2017 to an opioid overdose. He believes the use of marijuana played a role in her addiction to prescription drugs. He worries more families will go through his pain if Proposal 1 passes.

“A good friend, a deputy had told me several times that it’s a gateway drug, it’s a gateway drug, and I’m like, eh, I don’t know if I believe that, today I believe that. Aren’t our kids worth more than this? Really? We can do better than this,” said Marsh.

Northern Michigan prosecutors say they’re worried about safety on the roads and workplaces if marijuana were legalized.

“What they’re looking to do is to take what they’ve done in other states and open the floodgates here in Michigan and we can’t afford that,” said Wexford County Prosecutor Jason Elmore.

‘All their spreading around is fear,” said Rev. Steven Thompson of Benzie County NORML.

But Rev. Steven Thompson of Benzie County NORML argues Michigan would stand to benefit greatly from passing Proposal 1.

“For the law enforcement and prosecutors it would free them up to where they can go after real criminals and deal with issues that have victims that are on back burners right now,” said Thompson.

Thompson also points to potential financial gain.

“It is going to be specifically earmark and divided up for education, to fix our roads finally and to also go back to the municipalities that allow recreational cannabis dispensaries in their community,” said Thompson.

Recreational marijuana proposals have not always enjoyed broad support.

Voters in Arizona and Ohio recently turned down similar ballot measures.

I think law enforcement doing political events while on the tax payers dime is illegal, and it's obviously unethical. I'm not holding my breath but I hope charges will follow.

 

[Baron23]

Michigan marijuana legalization proposal does not contain protections against employee drug tests



Michigan voters will almost certainly legalize recreational marijuana this November. And while that may be a huge victory, it turns out the state will not have protections in place for legal marijuana users, writes Joseph Misulonas.

The ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan contains language that allow businesses and employers to drug test and discipline workers who use cannabis. This isn't entirely surprising, since the only protections passed by states only cover medical marijuana users, not recreational ones, but it does bring this issue back into the spotlight.

While more and more states are legalizing recreational marijuana, people who use cannabis are still at risk to be punished for using a substance that is entirely legal. A person's work can be completely unaffected by their marijuana use, but if they fail a random drug test, they could be out of their job even though they're doing it competently.

Some companies have adopted a more tolerant approach and no longer test for marijuana, but it's perfectly legal for them to do so.

The question is when will this change. Workers aren't forced to take breathalyzer tests when they come in for their job, but several of these states have alcohol and marijuana at the same level of legality.

Would legalizing marijuana at the federal level finally put an end to needless employee drug tests? I guess we'll just have to find out.

 

[momofthegoons]

Can't embed the actual news segment so if you are interested, follow the link in the title to view.

Michigan plans online medical marijuana registration

LANSING (WXYZ) - The state of Michigan plans to speed up the process of medical marijuana users obtain registry cards by shifting from snail mail to an online portal.

The move — which will start with a rollout to doctors in the coming days — is expected to cut the wait time down while adding more checks on the front-end of the process.

“We have the same controls in place and in many cases more secure controls when it comes to ensure the registry cards are going to people for the qualifying reasons,” said Andrew Brisbo, the director of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

Essentially the security is up-front because physicians have to be certified by the state before they’ll allowed into the portal. As patients apply for their registry cards the information will go to the prescribing physician for approval — they have to sign off on the bona fide physician-patient relationship and complete an in-person medical examination before filling out the online form identifying the reason the patient qualifies for medical marijuana.

Later this month physicians that prescribe medical marijuana will be certified and added into the state’s system. Beginning early next month the state will start to send out information to people in the state’s medical marijuana program.

Patients will be able to register for an account, submit an application and manage a registration online, here. They’ll also have the option to request replacement cards, update their name/address and withdraw from the program.

Brisbo told 7 Action News that they’ve been meeting goals, processing forms within the mandated 15 day period, however, he thinks that the online portal will cut the wait time down to mere days.

“The bureau is always looking at ways to improve our processing and customer service,” said Brisbo. “This was a natural evolution of the process as we built out new IT infrastructure to meet the mission that our department sets forth.”

The move comes at a time when there could soon be processing even more applicants. Voters will soon decide whether recreational marijuana will be legalized in Michigan.

As for medical marijuana users and the new portal, it’s important to note: the new online portal only works for patients without a caregiver, which accounts for the majority of medical marijuana participants in the state of Michigan.

 

[Baron23]

The state of Michigan plans to speed up the process of medical marijuana users obtain registry cards by shifting from snail mail to an online portal.

Well dang, even the socialist state of MD did it through a web portal. What century is MI state government in, anyway? haha

Of course giving a state government an IT task is like giving a 7 y.o. a stick of TNT and a patch of matches! Just wait for the kaboom. haha

 

[Baron23]

If @momofthegoons ain't testifying, then they ain't got the REAL MI MJ expert.

Experts to look at both sides of Michigan's recreational marijuana proposal

Proposal 1, which would legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan, will be the subject of a public forum and question-and-answer session in Canton on Monday, Oct. 1.

The discussion will involve subject-matter experts representing both sides of the question, including a psychiatrist and marijuana researcher, a medical doctor and pain specialist, and a recovering drug addict and outreach worker at the Brighton Center for Recovery.

The event is planned for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the LifeChurch Canton annex, 6900 North Haggerty, Canton, and is being organized by the Northwest Wayne Chapter of Families Against Narcotics, a support group and educational resource for people struggling with addiction and their loved ones.

Lauren Rousseau, the northwest Wayne County FAN chapter president, said FAN, which has 20 chapters in the state, hasn't taken an official stand on Proposal 1, and that members are seeking more information on it and on the pros and cons of legalizing recreational marijuana. Although many chapter members are concerned about the proposal she said, there are others who are undecided.

"We really just want to present fair and honest information, and the arguments and facts on both sides, so that people can reach their own conclusion," Rosseau said.

Rosseau said she's uncertain whether FAN will ultimately weigh in on the proposal.

Speakers Monday will include Luke Niforatos, a senior policy adviser at Safe Approaches to Marijuana, which opposes Proposal 1; Robin Schneider of the Michigan Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which favors it; Dr. William Morrone, a pain specialist; and Dr. Sue Sisley, a psychiatrist and marijuana researcher. Milton Mack, the state courts administrator and a former judge, will be the moderator.

For more information on the program, email nwwayne@familiesagainstnarcotics.org.

Proposal 1, if approved, would allow people 21 and older to buy, possess and use marijuana, and edibles infused with marijuana, and grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal consumption. Possession at one's home would be limited to 10 ounces, and amounts over 2.5 ounces would have to be kept in locked containers.

The proposal would also create a state recreational marijuana regulatory system, tax marijuana sales at 10 percent and allow local communities to ban or restrict marijuana-based businesses.

 

[Baron23]

Poll: Michigan backs legalizing recreational marijuana, easier voting

f the election were held today, marijuana for recreational use would be legal in Michigan and voting would become much easier, according to a poll done for the Detroit Free Press.

But a proposal to change the way state and federal legislative district lines are drawn, while ahead 48-32 percent, hasn’t reached a winning threshold yet, according to EPIC/MRA pollster Bernie Porn.

The proposal that would legalize marijuana for adult recreational use is leading 55-41 percent, in the poll of 600 active and likely voters that was taken Sept. 21-25 for the Free Press and its media partners. Only 3 percent of those surveyed are undecided on the issue.

And while the proposal has widespread support in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and is winning by smaller margins in all but the northern portion of Michigan, the support for legalization has shrunk from the 61 percent support EPIC/MRA found in a statewide survey taken in March.

The difference? The March survey was merely a question on whether or not marijuana should be taxed and legalized for people at least 21 years of age. The current survey included the language that will be on the ballot, including allowing legalizing the use, possession, and sale of marijuana, allowing up to 12 plants to be grown for individual use and allowing the possession of up to 10 ounces of marijuana in a private residence as long as it's locked up.

"The marijuana question was a few points below where we had it at 61 percent and the difference is the ballot language," Porn said. "In the details of the ballot language, there are pieces that people may not like."

Also on Freep.com:

Race for Mich. governor may be tightening: Whitmer leads Schuette by 8

Michigan's proposal to stop gerrymandering may not end rancor

Legalizing marijuana in Michigan won't let employees off the hook

Josh Hovey, the spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which is spearheading the marijuana legalization campaign, said he's not surprised that the proposal has lost some support as the election nears. That only means that the coalition has more work to do.

"We need to continue to work hard and dispel the misinformation and scare tactics that the opposition continues to put out there.," he said. "Prohibition doesn’t work and we’re wasting millions to continue to enforce this law and arrest and incarcerate people."

But Scott Greenlee, executive director of Healthy and Productive Michigan, which opposes legalization, said he's more confident in other recent polls that have shown a much closer race. One poll released last week by the MIRS News Service, had the issue losing 41-47 percent. A Detroit News poll released last week had legalization passing 56-38 percent.

"The more people understand about the dangers of marijuana, the more who will continue to move against this thing," he said.

The proposal would allow people to buy up to 2.5 ounces a day and possess up to 10 ounces in their home as long as it was properly locked up; grow up to 12 plants for personal use; have the state regulate the industry and subject the sale of marijuana to the state's 6 percent sales tax and an additional 10 percent tax; allow communities to determine whether marijuana business will be allowed in their towns; earmark the first $20 million of tax revenue from the sale of marijuana for at least two years to research into the benefits of marijuana to treat PTSD and split the rest between roads, schools and the communities that allow marijuana businesses.

State voters approved medical marijuana in 2008 and the Legislature approved regulating and taxing that industry in 2016.

The proposal gained strong support among Democrats and Independents and every age group except for people over the age of 65. The youngest age group — 18-34 — supports the measure 85-14 percent.

"It has a much better chance of passing if the younger folks turn out and indeed the numbers of people participating under age 35 seems to be getting strong," Porn said.

Neither side has invested any money in television advertising yet, but that may change before the November election, Hovey and Greenlee said. Neither side had much money to spend, according to the last campaign finance reports filed in July. The next reports aren't due until Oct. 21.

 

[Baron23]

Wow, just wow....he's up, no...he's down, no...he's up again. FFS!

@momofthegoons - this is for your bureaucrats in MI

Michigan marijuana dispensaries get new deadline for approval, closure

Michigan's emergency rules governing medical marijuana got tweaked again Monday, with the state imposing a Halloween deadline for dispensaries to either get a state license or be forced to shut down.

That's six weeks before the Dec. 15 deadline that regulators designated two weeks ago after a Court of Claims judge overruled the state's plan to treat two different classes of dispensaries differently.

The moving target for licensure or closure has been a roller coaster for the 206 dispensaries that have been operating with approval from their local communities, but still haven't gotten a state license.

The first deadline was June 15 for dispensaries to get a license or shut down. But the state didn't approve the first dispensary license until July 12, so the June deadline was extended to Sept. 15.

The state was firm that the Sept. 15 deadline was the cutoff for all of the dispensaries to shut down until Judge Stephen Borrello overruled a plan to make 98 dispensaries that hadn't turned in completed applications to close on Sept. 15, but allow 106 retail shops that had turned in all steps of their application, which included building plans as well as community approval, to stay open until Dec. 15.

More: Judge approves injunction against closing medical marijuana businesses

More: Estimated tax haul from marijuana sales would grow to $134 million per year

The state offered little explanation for its change of plans, other than to say that 19 dispensaries have been approved for a license and a "robust agenda" for the state's licensing board on Oct. 18 will likely approve more dispensaries.

"There are already 19 provisioning centers (dispensaries) licensed and we expect that number to grow even higher," said David Harns, spokesman for the state Department of Licensing and Regulation. "The pace of approvals and denials will pick up and there will be enough facilities open to serve the needs of the patient population in Michigan."

Denise Pollicella, the Howell attorney who sued the state to stop the Sept. 15 deadline, said the new Oct. 31 date seems like "sour grapes" on the part of the state bureaucracy that wants to get the marijuana industry up and operating sooner rather than later.

"I don’t know what it is about these folks that 45 more days is such a big deal," she said. "Respectfully, the board has been consistent in its lack of consistency."

The new rules come as the state is trying to transition from the medical marijuana market that was born after voters legalized weed for medical use in 2008 to an industry that is regulated and taxed by the state. The old market was made up of caregivers who could grow up to 12 plants for each of five patients as well as themselves. There was little, if any, oversight of the caregiver-model of medical marijuana.

The new regulated market is much more expensive for business owners and creates five classes of licenses for growers, processors, testing facilities, transporters and dispensaries. Once licensed, the owners have to come up with a $48,000 regulatory assessment to the state, pay city fees, get their products tested under a more stringent set of state guidelines, and pay a 3 percent tax on the gross receipts of the dispensary as well as the state's 6 percent sales tax.

The dispensaries that haven't gotten a license yet have been able to operate without much of the increased costs imposed by state regulations.

The state has approved licenses for 37 applicants including seven growers, four processors, 19 dispensaries, three secure transporters and four testing facilities. The state has received 702 applications and, in addition to the licenses approved, 72 applicants have been given preliminary approval for a license.

 

[momofthegoons]

Cannabis business park to break ground in Orion Township

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) - A $40 million cannabis business park will break ground in Orion Township next week.

The nearly 300,000 square-foot complex will house growers, processors, secure transporters and safety compliance operators. Grow, Cannabis Marketing says the development will bring hundreds of new jobs to Orion Township and will provide a safe and secure environment for commercial cannabis operations.

The three buildings on Premiere Drive are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The cannabis business park, which is under the umbrella of the Oakland Business Park, is the product of several local investors, attorneys and cannabis industry consultants who have worked with its tenants throughout the entire process.

To ensure that all tenants have ample power, DTE is building an on-site substation with two 13.2 KV circuits.

According to GROW, Cannabis Marketing, the development is heavily supported by the Township of Orion and specifically, Township Supervisor Chris Barnett along with members of the board, planning commission and other departments, all of who are expected to attend the groundbreaking at noon Tuesday.

Michigan voters will decide on a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in November. The proposal aims to regulate marijuana like alcohol.

 

[Shredder]

Cannabis business park to break ground in Orion Township

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) - A $40 million cannabis business park will break ground in Orion Township next week.

The nearly 300,000 square-foot complex will house growers, processors, secure transporters and safety compliance operators. Grow, Cannabis Marketing says the development will bring hundreds of new jobs to Orion Township and will provide a safe and secure environment for commercial cannabis operations.

The three buildings on Premiere Drive are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The cannabis business park, which is under the umbrella of the Oakland Business Park, is the product of several local investors, attorneys and cannabis industry consultants who have worked with its tenants throughout the entire process.

To ensure that all tenants have ample power, DTE is building an on-site substation with two 13.2 KV circuits.

According to GROW, Cannabis Marketing, the development is heavily supported by the Township of Orion and specifically, Township Supervisor Chris Barnett along with members of the board, planning commission and other departments, all of who are expected to attend the groundbreaking at noon Tuesday.

Michigan voters will decide on a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in November. The proposal aims to regulate marijuana like alcohol.

It's obvious they have investors, but I wonder if there is a market for them. If they are approved, there are lots of grows coming. And if , or when lol, legalization comes there may be boutique grows. That may be great for users, but growers may have trouble paying back investors in a tight market.

As I understand from other legal states, the vertically integrated operations save money by growing, processing, and dispensing. So grow only operations will need outlets or go under. Making those "red hot" cannabis stocks tank.

It will be interesting how it plays out. I think legalization will have to happen for some grows to exist.

 

[momofthegoons]

I've left off the final paragraph; which is an ad for the law firm that wrote this article. If interested, just follow the link in the title.

The Legality of CBD and Hemp in Michigan: The Good, The Bad, and The Future

If you are reading this, you probably already know a good deal about CBD. However, you probably have the same question as many of our clients, is it legal to make and sell CBD in Michigan. The answer? “It depends.”

As practicing CBD and Hemp Attorneys, “it depends” is an all-to-common answer for questions involving CBD and medical marijuana. However, this article will be an in depth analysis of the current state of affairs with regard to CBD production and sale in Michigan and is meant to provide more context to this all-to-common attorney answer.

The Bad News
Michigan’s administrative guidance on legality of CBD is in line with the DEA’s guidance on this issue. LARA’s guidance state’s that “any extracts of marihuana or extracts of the marihuana plant will continue to be treated as marihuana.” LARA’s reasons are straightforward—becauseCBD can only be manufactured using marijuana or industrial hemp, and the state has not granted any industrial hemp manufacturing licenses, CBD regulation must fall under Michigan’s medical marijuana laws. In other words, LARA wants to regulate CBD as a controlled substance the same as it regulates marijuana.

On the federal level, the DEA has stated that CBD is regulated as a controlled substance. There is one major caveat being: CBD derived from hemp grown in compliance with state and federal law is legal. According to the DEA, as long the hemp is grown in compliance with federal hemp laws, “such products may accordingly be sold and otherwise distributed throughout the United States without restriction.” Parroting that stance is Michigan’s hemp research statute, which defines industrial hemp as Cannabis Sativa with less than 0.3% THC. There is no qualifier in the definition for where or what purpose the CBD was produced. Most importantly for legal purposes, the second to last sentence of Michigan’s guidance on CBD states: “Marihuana does not include industrial hemp grown or cultivated (or both) for research purposes under the industrial hemp research act”.

Another piece of bad news is that the current administration in charge of the executive branch of the federal government seems to not care about the actual legal status of CBD. One CBD producer out in Colorado—Pure Spectrum—reported that the U.S. Postal Service refused to ships its products, even after they established that the products were produced in compliance with federal laws.

Loopholes and the Law
This potentially leaves a glaring hole in LARA’s blanket CBD ban – CBD legally produced from industrial hemp outside of Michigan in compliance with federal and that state’s industrial hemp programs authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill. Out-of-state CBD produced in a state with a federal law compliant industrial hemp bill—e.g. Tennessee, Colorado, Kentucky and California—could therefore likely be legally sold by Michigan retailers and wholesalers. The flip side of this is that any CBD produced in Michigan would be regulated like Marijuana because the state’s hemp laws do not currently authorize commercial industrial hemp production. Instead, they merely authorize hemp production for research purposes.

While such a hole is good for those that would sell CBD products, it puts Michigan CBD producers at a huge disadvantage. They cannot currently grow industrial hemp to produce CBD because Michigan has not approved any commercial “pilot programs.” For those that do produce CBD from marijuana, they are relegated to selling exclusively to Michigan residents with a MMMP card, which is less than 2.5% of Michigan’s population. Even more problematic for CBD producers in Michigan is the fact that the CBD produced under the MMMA or MMFLA is not cost competitive with CBD derived from commercial hemp. This type of stranglehold placed on Michigan CBD producers prevents them from competing in the growing national and international CBD market.

For now this legal gray zone is where CBD exists in Michigan. The gray zone was only discovered by a close reading and analysis of current state and federal law. As CBD and hemp attorneys, the best we can do for CBD products and production is tell you where the State and DEA have drawn the lines, and where the spaces between those lines present an opportunity for you.

Sellers of CBD products can operate but need to be thorough in their research. “Caveat Venditor” is Latin for, “let the seller beware”, and in the legal world it is usually relegated to contracts and property issues. However, when dealing in the legal minefield that is Michigan CBD law, CBD retailers in Michigan need to make sure their products are sourced from appropriate vendors. This means checking out the CBD producers to make sure they are actually operating in accordance with state and federal hemp laws. Otherwise, sellers open themselves up to prosecution on the state and federal level. Producers of CBD in Michigan, on the other hand, are relegated to a fraction of the market. They must operate in accordance with the MMMA and MMFLA, which are clearly defined in their parameters, but do not present to producers the same avenue for profit and growth as out of state producers.

For in state producers and sellers, the risk of government overreach still exists. The fact that a valid legal defense exists has not stopped state action in the past. In Tennessee, “Operation Candy Crush” resulted in the arrest of 21 store owners in connection with the sale of CBD products. The arrests and charges were all dropped when it could not be proved that the sale of CBD products was actually illegal under state law. This type of overreach is a possibility with the current status of Michigan’s CBD laws.

The Future—Hemp Bills Being Considered
Currently there are three bills in front of the Michigan House of Representatives. The bills all address the classification of industrial hemp and how it will be categorized going forward. The bills are numbered as follows; HB 6330, HB 6331 and HB 6380. 6330 and 6331 were introduced on the 25th of September, 2018, while 6380 was introduced on the 26th.

HB 6330 aims to change the name of Michigan’s Industrial Hemp Research Act to the Industrial Hemp Research and Development Act. Additionally, the bill would also update the definition of industrial hemp. The expanded definition would include viable seeds of the plant and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts and salts of isomers. The bill would also amend the act by adding several new sections. The most important and notable of which would require the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish grower and processor-handler licenses, which would apply to all person 18 years and older growing industrial hemp in Michigan.

The specific language of the bill does expressly give growers the ability to sell industrial hemp to medical marijuana facilities under the MMFLA. The bill makes no mention of whether CBD related products could be sold outside of the boundaries and requirements of the MMFLA. However, the expanded definition and ability to license outside of Colleges and Universities does seem like a promising shift, though the bill expressly requires that growers and processors also submit a “research plan” with their applications.

HB 6331 is far less dense and is focused on the definition of industrial hemp. The definition would match the definition proposed in HB 6330. However, this bill would update industrial hemp’s definition within the Public Health Code. The bill would clarify the Public Health Code to make crystal clear that industrial hemp grown, processed or handled under Michigan’s industrial hemp laws would not be considered marijuana. What does this mean? It means that industrial hemp and products made from it would not, under the Michigan Public Health Code, be considered marijuana—as long as they are made in accordance with the Industrial Hemp Research and Development Act. Sound familiar? It should as this language almost exactly echoes the language used in the 2014 Farm Bill referenced above.

HB 6380 is a bill focused on amending the MMFLA to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana plant for purposes of the Act. HB 6380 would also require that LARA make and set rules by the March 1st, 2019. The rules would establish standards, procedures and requirements for the sale of industrial hemp from a provisioning center to a registered patient. This bill attempts to contrast industrial hemp with marijuana, but is really just a call for an action plan when it comes provisioning centers and industrial hemp. It is hard to decide what to make of this bill. The previous HB 6330 and 6331 seemed to follow in line with the federal Farm bill while HB 6380 seems to tie the legality back to the MMFLA.

The Future—The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act
The ballot initiative to “regulate marijuana like alcohol”, also known as the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act or MiLegalize ballot initiative, specifically addresses the issue of hemp production. If passed, the RMLA would allow for the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp in Michigan as well as legalize the sale of products derived from industrial hemp in Michigan. This could help put the state back on equal standing with other states that have taken the lead on hemp and CBD production.

There could be a snag, however. While the RMLA legalizes and authorizes the growing of hemp and processing and sale of hemp derived products such as CBD, it also gives LARA the authority to issue rules “to regulate the cultivation, processing, distribution, and sale of industrial hemp.”

Here, we hope LARA exercises a “light touch” when it comes to regulating hemp and CBD production. With the state already years behind other states in terms of hemp and large-scale commercial CBD production, the last thing we need is more regulations to tie the hands of Michigan businesses looking to gain equal footing with other CBD producers. Even more concerning, is the fact that production under new recreational laws, may not be considered a “pilot program” under the Farm bill. Without the fix being proposed by HB6330, however, hemp production under the MRTA would still be illegal under federal law. However, this would still be a step forward for prospective Michigan hemp and CBD businesses since it would open the door to all Michigan CBD consumers, as opposed to just those with an MMMP card.

The MRTA also has the potential to put Michigan hemp and CBD producers on equal footing with their out-of-state competitors, especially since the new hemp laws being proposed provide the additional fix that would bring Michigan commercial hemp production in compliance with federal law.

As a result, the MRTA would be a much needed shot in the arm for CBD and hemp producers in Michigan. This initiative will carve out a place for CBD in our laws that is not reliant on loophole legality and greatly expand the market for Michigan CBD producers.

Side note: Make sure you get out and vote in November!

CBD and Hemp Under Current Laws
While the future may be bright for Michigan CBD production, there are state laws that currently allow for the production and sale of CBD. Below is a recap of the state’s current Marijuana laws that could be used to legally produce CBD, as well as an explanation on how the state’s ballot proposal could be a game changer for Michigan CBD businesses.

CBD Under the MMMA
Michigan currently has two laws that would provide protection for the production and sale of CBD, but only under certain circumstances. The first law is the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, or MMMA, which has been around since 2008. This law allows the sale of Marijuana from a registered caregiver to their patient. Because CBD is arguably considered to be legally the same as Marijuana, the protections in the MMMA for the sale of Marijuana also apply to CBD. That means that caregivers in Michigan can legally sell CBD produced from Michigan Marijuana to their patients.

Technically, this only protects the sale of CBD to one of the caregiver’s registered patients and would not protect caregiver-to-caregiver sales or sales from a caregiver to another caregiver’s patient. In practice, however, caregiver-to-caregiver transactions and sales to other patients are common and the court cases prohibiting them rarely enforced. Thus, the MMMA would provide some practical protection for producers and sellers of CBD, even where the law does not technically provide for the type of production and sales that are common in the CBD market.

CBD Under the MMFLA
Next Up? The Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, or MMFLA. The MMFLA authorizes the commercial-scale growing and processing of Marijuana, meaning it would also authorize the large scale growing of Marijuana for CBD production and the processing of CBD and other cannabinoids such as THC and CBN. I’ve met many growers who plan on taking advantage of the MMFLA to produce CBD-only products as well as high-CBD Marijuana products.

The problem with this law is that it would only authorize the sale of CBD to patients registered under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program, or MMMP. Because the MMFLA only allows certain licensed provisioning centers to sell Marijuana products to patients, and only licensed processors to produce CBD products, the MMFLA still imposes severe restrictions that make it uneconomical compared to other methods of production and sale. While there are hundreds of thousands of MMMP patients in Michigan, these patients represent only a fraction of the millions of potential CBD customers in Michigan.

CBD Under the IHRA
That brings us to the Industrial Hemp Research Act. The problem with this law is that Michigan currently has not issued any IHRA Hemp production licenses. This is not because Michigan is discouraging potential license holders—according to LARA officials, there simply has not been much interest in hemp research licenses. The reason for this is that the IHRA is limited to research facilities.

We looked into this issue for a client of ours and were somewhat surprised with how cooperative and even enthusiastic LARA officials were in going through the process to issue an IHRA license. We also learned that there is no official process in place for issuing these licenses. While this can be either a good or bad thing depending on the situation, given LARA’s interest in issuing a license under this program, this law could provide protection for CBD produced from hemp, but only to those that do so in conjunction with a college or university. The IHRA also does not authorize the sale of products derived from the growing of hemp “for research purposes.” Moreover, with most colleges and universities unwilling to jump into the political minefield that is CBD and medical marijuana regulation, it is not surprising that no licenses have been issued under this law.

The Bottom Line
Michigan commercial CBD producers can only currently produce CBD in compliance with the state’s medical marijuana laws—the MMMA and MMFLA. If and when the 2018 ballot initiative passes, however, Michigan companies would be able to derive CBD from state-legal, commercially grown industry hemp and sell these products to all Michigan residents, not just those with an MMMP card. This could allow Michigan businesses to profit from the lucrative and fast growing CBD market.

 

[Baron23]

This should come as no surprise.


Detroit NAACP urges 'no' vote on legal marijuana as campaign makes final push

The Detroit branch of the NAACP is joining law enforcement officials and health professionals in Michigan in urging a "no" vote on Proposal 1, which would legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan.

With 14 days to go to the Nov. 6 Midterm election, the opposition to Proposal 1 has started its final campaign push.

"Prop. 1 supports the very issues that are harming our neighborhoods and killing our families," said Kamilia Landrum, deputy director of the Detroit branch of the NAACP, at a press conference Tuesday at the Detroit headquarters of the opposition campaign, Healthy and Productive Michigan.

"This ballot initiative adds another layer to the systematic racism that has held our communities of color -- particularly African Americans -- in bondage for hundreds of years," Landrum said.

To date both sides of the recreational marijuana issue have led relatively quiet campaigns, with many joint appearances at sponsored debates and community town halls. So far 68 county sheriffs have joined the opposition, as well as health officials.

"How do I tell young people about the dangers of drugs if it's now legal?" said the Reverend Horace Sheffield of the Detroit Association of Black Organizations at the press conference.

Sheffield said he's a recovering addict, and the first drug he tried was "a puff of marijuana."

Proposal 1 would legalize marijuana for recreational use for adults 21 and over, and would require the state to launch a licensing system for retail stores and their supply chains. Both marijuana flower and products made from extract like edibles, lotions and vape cartridges would become legal. The state estimates tax revenue would bring in about $287.9 million by the time the industry matures in 2023.

Tuesday afternoon, Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) -- a national nonprofit that is bankrolling the entire opposition campaign in Michigan -- wasted no time in getting to his racial disparity argument.

"If you want rich white guys to sell pot gummy bears in your community, you should vote for this initiative," Sabet said at the start of his remarks.

Hours earlier at the Healthy and Productive Michigan headquarters -- in an unmarked office near Seven Mile and Greenfield -- paid workers were on the phones for the campaign.

Sabet rallied the canvassers Tuesday by telling them they were saving lives.

"This isn't just a political campaign," Sabet said to the group of African American canvassers. " This is about the health, safety, and prosperity of your own communities."

African-Americans are disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession in Michigan. Black men age 18 to 24 are almost 10 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana offenses compared to white women that age, even though marijuana usages rates between the two groups are only fractionally different, according to an MLive analysis of Michigan State Police data.

"I actually don't care if an adult smokes a joint in their own home," Sabet said. "This [Proposal 1] is for commercial sales, for advertising and promotion."

Sabet said the big business interests behind tobacco and liquor unfairly target communities of color -- and claimed Proposal 1 would fuel the same kind of predatory behavior from the marijuana industry.

"There's this initial thinking -- maybe we should legalize because we don't want people to go prison, maybe we can make some money off of it," Sabet said to MLive.

But Sabet said he's seen minds change -- especially in "urban" areas like Compton, California -- when they hear SAM Action's message that rich, white people are the ones that make money off of legal marijuana. Sabet also leans heavily on reports out of Colorado, where the recreational marijuana program hasn't solved racial disparities in arrest rates -- and where there's been a spike in marijuana arrests among African American and Latino teens.

However, marijuana arrest rates have fallen among all races and age groups in Colorado since legalization in 2012, according to the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

In addition to urban communities, Sabet said they're targeting families with children and "soccer moms."

"We were approached by a lot of people in urban Detroit where people said, 'Please don't neglect us. Please don't make this a suburban campaign, please don't make this only for the politicians,'" Sabet said to MLive. "So we answered that call."

 

[momofthegoons]

Not sure why this service is only available for those without a caregiver....

Online Registration Now Available for Michigan's Medical Marihuana Patients
Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280
Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov

October 25, 2018 – In order to increase efficiency, reduce processing times, and improve customer service, the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP) now has an online registration and physician certification process.

Effective immediately, Michigan patients can now accomplish the following actions online:

• Patients without a caregiver can apply for medical marihuana registry identification cards online.
• Patients without a caregiver can check the status of their applications through a secure online account.

In the near future, patients without a caregiver will also be able to:

• Renew registry cards online.
• Request replacement cards online.
• Update their name and/or address online.
• Withdraw from the MMMP online.

Physicians who register with the MMMP for a secure online account will be able to certify their patients’ medical use of marihuana online. A certifying physician is still required to have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient, complete an in-person, medical evaluation of the patient, and comply with all other relevant provisions of the MMMA.

Patients may register for an account (one-time task) by following these steps:

• Go to www.michigan.gov/mmp and print the instructions titled “Create an Account.”
• Go to www.michigan.gov/BMMRonline and follow the instructions to create your account.
• Patients are encouraged to retain their user name and password as they will be needed to login to their account.

To apply or renew, patients should follow the “Apply for Patient Only Registry Card” instructions available at www.michigan.gov/mmp, provide the information requested and submit their application with the required fee. Patients will need their certifying physician’s license number to apply online.

After the application is submitted, the certifying physician will receive an email that states there is a certification waiting for his/her approval and will have 15 days from that date to certify the patient’s medical use of marihuana. Applications are not considered complete until the physician certifies the patient. The MMMP will approve or deny the application within 15 business days of the date the physician certifies the medical use of marihuana. If the physician certifies the medical use of marihuana within 24 hours of receiving the email notification, the patient could potentially be issued a registry identification card within 2-3 business days.

At any time, patients can check the status of their application by logging in to their account at www.michigan.gov/BMMRonline.

For more information on BMMR, please visit: www.michigan.gov/bmmr

For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara

 

[Shredder]

Not sure why this service is only available for those without a caregiver....

Online Registration Now Available for Michigan's Medical Marihuana Patients
Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280
Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov

October 25, 2018 – In order to increase efficiency, reduce processing times, and improve customer service, the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP) now has an online registration and physician certification process.

Effective immediately, Michigan patients can now accomplish the following actions online:

• Patients without a caregiver can apply for medical marihuana registry identification cards online.
• Patients without a caregiver can check the status of their applications through a secure online account.

In the near future, patients without a caregiver will also be able to:

• Renew registry cards online.
• Request replacement cards online.
• Update their name and/or address online.
• Withdraw from the MMMP online.

Physicians who register with the MMMP for a secure online account will be able to certify their patients’ medical use of marihuana online. A certifying physician is still required to have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient, complete an in-person, medical evaluation of the patient, and comply with all other relevant provisions of the MMMA.

Patients may register for an account (one-time task) by following these steps:

• Go to www.michigan.gov/mmp and print the instructions titled “Create an Account.”
• Go to www.michigan.gov/BMMRonline and follow the instructions to create your account.
• Patients are encouraged to retain their user name and password as they will be needed to login to their account.

To apply or renew, patients should follow the “Apply for Patient Only Registry Card” instructions available at www.michigan.gov/mmp, provide the information requested and submit their application with the required fee. Patients will need their certifying physician’s license number to apply online.

After the application is submitted, the certifying physician will receive an email that states there is a certification waiting for his/her approval and will have 15 days from that date to certify the patient’s medical use of marihuana. Applications are not considered complete until the physician certifies the patient. The MMMP will approve or deny the application within 15 business days of the date the physician certifies the medical use of marihuana. If the physician certifies the medical use of marihuana within 24 hours of receiving the email notification, the patient could potentially be issued a registry identification card within 2-3 business days.

At any time, patients can check the status of their application by logging in to their account at www.michigan.gov/BMMRonline.

For more information on BMMR, please visit: www.michigan.gov/bmmr

For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara

A caregiver is supposed to sign on a patients paperwork. Plus there is a $25 caregiver charge for a background check, no matter how recent the last check was. Plus, perhaps cynically, I think now with state licensed dispensaries they want to steer patients into paying taxes, so anything they can do in this regard is what they want to do.

 

[Baron23]

"The efforts against Proposal 1 by Healthy and Productive Michigan are being funded by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a cannabis opposition group led by anti-pot crusader Kevin Sabet. Luke Niforatos, the SAM chief of staff, said that the effects of cannabis products high in THC are unknown."​

Please see the post about SAM and Sabet in the Misc Cannabis news.....same shit, different day from these people.

Anti-Legalization Group in Michigan Warn Voters of Super Potent Cannabis
A group trying to turn Michigan voters away from legalizing cannabis is employing age-old scare tactics.

An anti-legalization group in Michigan is telling voters that today’s cannabis is too potent. Campaign workers with Healthy and Productive Michigan were recently calling voters in Detroit in an effort to get them to oppose Proposal 1, the recreational pot legalization initiative on the ballot next month. Reading from a script provided by the anti-pot political action committee, Wynona Moss of Warren, Michigan contacted voters via her cell phone.

“Did you know that today’s drug is much more potent than in the ‘80s? The THC level in highly potent marijuana edibles is not regulated,” she recited to a voter she reached.

The efforts against Proposal 1 by Healthy and Productive Michigan are being funded by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a cannabis opposition group led by anti-pot crusader Kevin Sabet. Luke Niforatos, the SAM chief of staff, said that the effects of cannabis products high in THC are unknown.

“This is limitless potency marijuana,” said Luke Niforatos. “What does it hurt to wait until we get the solid research on high potency THC?”


Despite Niforatos’ claim of unlimited potency, Michigan medical marijuana regulations currently in effect limit cannabis products to 50 milligrams of THC. Similar limits for recreational products would also likely be enacted if Proposal 1 is successful at the ballot box.

Sabet, the CEO of SAM, said during a visit to Michigan earlier this month that residents of the state should vote against the legalization initiative when they go to the polls next month.

“The pot industry has done a very good job of selling a product that they say is safe and benign,” Sabet said. “But we now have genetically bred products and very unprecedented levels of THC. We should reject Proposal 1.”


High THC ‘Not To Be Feared’
Dr. Sue Sisley, a researcher studying the effects of cannabis for veterans with PTSD at the Scottsdale Research Institute Laboratory in Phoenix, agrees that THC levels found in marijuana have increased over the past several decades.

“There is selective breeding now. All these geneticists are developing breed traits that are desirable for both (medical) cannabis patients and on the adult recreational-use side,” said Sisley. “Certainly, people are looking for the high THC formulations.”

But Sisley also said that there are medical benefits to high-potency products and strains of marijuana high in cannabinoids.


“High THC levels should not be feared because it’s often the best option when it comes to treating pain and other illnesses,” Sisley said. “We need a system where patients can be educated on how to use the products.”

Angie Rouiller, a team leader at GreenHouse, a licensed dispensary in Walled Lake, Michigan, said that highly potent products are necessary for some medical marijuana patients.

“It comes down to the individual person. For a person who hasn’t tried cannabis since Woodstock, it’s completely different,” Rouiller said. “I tell them to try 5 milligrams and be at home in a comfortable space and have a loved one present. But if you have someone who is trying to kick morphine, they’re not going to feel that 50-milligram concentrate. There is a place for those products.”

 

[Baron23]

"The opposition campaign continues to be largely funded by SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) Action"​

This is Sabet...and out of respect for @momofthegoons, that is all I will say about him.

"A new source of funds for the campaign has also emerged: executives at DTE Energy"​

Serious...your regulated electrical utility? Really?

The good news is that a poll taken 3 days ago show legalization winning 57% for and 41% so Sabet can kiss out collective asses.


Legalization campaign falls behind fundraising of anti-marijuana group

A group formed to oppose marijuana legalization in Michigan has drawn twice the donations than the campaign supporting the ballot proposal in the last three months.

The opposition group -- Healthy and Productive Michigan -- collected more than $1 million in the last quarter for its efforts, and recently launched its first cable TV ad. It's also found an ally in DTE Energy executives.

In contrast, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol raised $529,000 in the last quarter. The group formed in 2016, and collected thousands of signatures to get the legalization proposal on the ballot.

"This is something that the people of Michigan have said they want -- and the establishment is blocking it," said Josh Hovey, the paid spokesman for the coalition. "I think that's what the campaign finance reports are showing."

The pro-marijuana campaign is backed by the national Marijuana Policy Project, which gave $110,000 in the last quarter. New Approach PAC -- a group that supports legalization efforts across the country -- also contributed $351,000. The largest individual donor was Rick Steves, the PBS travel host. He came to Michigan in early October to campaign for legalization -- and then donated $50,000.

Most of the funds have been spent -- on consultants, digital ads, polling research and focus groups, leaving the campaign with slightly more than $151,000 heading into the last week of the election. The campaign paid $6,000 for marijuana tax revenue estimates from VS Strategies, a Colorado firm. Their revenue estimates were half of what the Senate Fiscal Agency estimated was possible in 2023: $287.9 million.

"I think it's going to be a fight to the end," Hovey said. "While I think the people are on our side and understand that prohibition hasn't worked ... when you're looking at the campaign finance reports, there's still a lot of conservative and big business interests that are maybe not as far ahead of where the public stands on this issue."

In three months from July to October, Healthy and Productive Michigan raised $1.09 million.

It has spent $446,653 -- leaving the campaign with $697,268 on hand with less than a full week to go to the election. Much of cash on hand -- $600,000 -- has gone to pay Advictory for a cable TV spot, according to late campaign finance filings. Most of the rest of the campaign's spending has been to Greenlee Consulting, for polling and consultants -- as well as a long list of canvassers from the Detroit area.

The opposition campaign continues to be largely funded by SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) Action, a national nonprofit dedicated to campaigning against legalization. In the last quarter, the group kicked in $656,000.

A new source of funds for the campaign has also emerged: executives at DTE Energy.

Michigan Energy First, a nonprofit whose president is listed in state records as Renze Hoeksema -- vice president of government affairs for DTE Energy -- donated $250,000.

A number of DTE Energy executives have donated to the opposition campaign: Chairman Gerry Anderson ($50,000), President Jerry Norcia ($15,000), DTE Electric President Trevor Lauer ($2,500) and DTE Gas President Mark Stiers ($2,500).

"Healthy and Productive Michigan is excited that many individuals and companies have come forward to support our cause of defeating recreational marijuana," said Scott Greenlee, president of the group. "It is obvious that companies will be testing a lot more frequently to ensure that those working in fields like transportation, manufacturing, medical, and a host of other jobs are not impaired at all. And many companies will simply choose to be drug free regardless of what business they are in."

DTE Energy has not taken a stance on Proposal 1, but company officials have stated they wouldn't change any of their policies if it passes.

"In fact, due to the nature of our work as an energy company, DTE is required to perform drug testing in accordance with federal and state laws. We have no plans to change our company's current drug-free policy even if recreational marijuana is legalized in Michigan," the company said in a statement.

The opposition campaign has kicked into high gear two weeks before the election, hosting a string of press conferences first in Detroit with the NAACP, and then across the state with local officials.

To date, 73 county sheriffs have opposed the ballot measure -- as well as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 56 county prosecutors and a number of health officials.

Oct. 25, Healthy and Productive Michigan unveiled their first TV ad. Next week, they are promising more press conferences, as well as appearances from opposition sources from Colorado. Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb will appear at the Grand Rapids Economic Club Luncheon, along with former U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer, who was assigned to Colorado.

 

[Baron23]

"State officials say there are close to 300,000 medical marijuana patients in Michigan. So far, the state has granted 37 provisioning center licenses from close to 200 applications.

Andrew Brisbo is the director of the Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation. He says he’s confident patients will get what they need. “I feel comfortable with the licenses we’ve approved at this point that there is a fully functioning market in the state,” he says.​

Yep, and I'll love you in the morning and check is in the mail. Who is Brisbo kidding?


Michigan: Medical marijuana businesses without a state license will be shut down on Thursday

People in Michigan who use medical marijuana may have a difficult time getting their medicine after Thursday. Monday was the last day for medical marijuana businesses to potentially receive a state license.

That’s because the state board in charge of granting licenses held its final meeting before an October 31st deadline. Businesses that didn’t receive the state’s blessing will be shut down on Thursday.

Linda Smith’s Haslett business helps people get medical marijuana cards. She’s says the threat of shutdowns has her patients worried about getting their medicine. “There is a tremendous amount of anxiety on the part of the patients because they rely on the provisioning centers,” she says.

State officials say there are close to 300,000 medical marijuana patients in Michigan. So far, the state has granted 37 provisioning center licenses from close to 200 applications.

Andrew Brisbo is the director of the Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation. He says he’s confident patients will get what they need. “I feel comfortable with the licenses we’ve approved at this point that there is a fully functioning market in the state,” he says.

People who didn’t receive a state license on Monday have an opportunity to be approved at the next medical marijuana licensing board meeting on November 8.

 

[momofthegoons]

An announcement was just made. The state was sued and now the provisioning centers will be allowed to stay open until December 15, 2018.

Stand by for the next change of their collective minds....

The dispensaries must be going nuts. The one I go to has been having specials trying to get rid of stock. Now they're probably at the profit they've lost lol. This whole situation is ridiculous and doesn't bode well for how things will be handled if and when we go recreational. Or even if we don't....

 

[Baron23]

An announcement was just made. The state was sued and now the provisioning centers will be allowed to stay open until December 15, 2018.

Stand by for the next change of their collective minds....

The dispensaries must be going nuts. The one I go to has been having specials trying to get rid of stock. Now they're probably at the profit they've lost lol. This whole situation is ridiculous and doesn't bode well for how things will be handled if and when we go recreational. Or even if we don't....

Unbelievable. Do they do this every month? Wow.