Licensed to Sell

One applicant is now authorized to apply for up to three types of state medical cannabis business licenses at one location, according to new rules released by Michigan’s licensing authority. The state’s applications for medical cannabis businesses become available on December 15, and the rush has already begun.

On September 21, The State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) released an advisory bulletin. According to the announcement, The Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation (BMMR) will allow co-location of up to three business types in a single facility. The bureau will grant up to three kinds of licenses for growers, processors and provisioning centers. The department also made Class C cultivation licenses stackable, meaning applicants can apply for more than one.

“LARA decided to allow co-location of growers, processors, and provisioning centers in order to balance protections for consumers and the general public with the need for businesses to operate efficiently.”

In order to qualify for a co-located license, businesses must abide by five conditions, which includes everything from requiring separate entrances and exits, posting the business’ individual license in the correct area and complying with local and state inspections.

David Harns is Public Information Officer for LARA. “After taking time to investigate the best practices from other states—and listening to comments from potential licensees here in Michigan,” Harns told CULTURE, “LARA decided to allow co-location of growers, processors, and provisioning centers in order to balance protections for consumers and the general public with the need for businesses to operate efficiently.” It opens the door to businesses that can sell their own medical cannabis. Harns confirmed that all five state license types would be available beginning December 15.

Class C licenses enable cultivators to grow up to 1,500 plants, but the new rules allow applicants to obtain multiple Class C licenses. Few Michigan residents are able to fully grasp what each type of license entails, so the state’s regulatory bodies will offer seminars to clear things up. On October 9, LARA and BMMR announced that both organizations would be offering a series of sessions through November offering hands-on training for the states five kinds of licenses categories, Grower, Processor, Secure Transporter, Provisioning Center and Safety Compliance Facility. According to LARA officials, about 1,000 people have signed up for the classes as of mid-October.

But not all of the news is good news. LARA officials have told current medical cannabis collectives that they should close down before December 15 or risk not being approved for a license under the state’s new medical cannabis regulations. Many collectives, including collectives across Grand Traverse County, received cease and desist orders on October 4. A few dispensaries, like Advanced Wellness, have opted to close themselves.

Pending bills have been introduced on the House and Senate floor to accommodate the transition period that extends until December 15, after the public demanded a solution at various town hall meetings. Once the painful transitional period is over, Michigan’s decision to allow co-locations of multiple businesses will enable more businesses to thrive in the state’s cannabis industry.