Business
Michigan Cannabis Collectives Allowed to Stay Open
Medical cannabis businesses in Michigan can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) reversed its stance on a licensing roadblock that would have likely forced all medical cannabis collectives to be shut down by Dec. 15 or risk their chances of re-opening. An advisory bulletin dated November 2 offers a way for continuous access to medical cannabis for patients who need it.
An estimated 272,000 medical cannabis cardholders were at risk of having no way to obtain medicine during the transition period into Michigan’s new medical cannabis licensing system. Fortunately, after considerable pressure from hundreds of angry patients, the powers that be retracted their original plan, under certain conditions.
LARA released the following bulletin on Thursday, which outlines necessary conditions for cannabis facilities:
“To help ensure the continued protection of medical marihuana patients the department intends to address in emergency rules that an applicant currently operating a proposed marihuana facility that would otherwise require a state operating license will not automatically impede the applicant’s eligibility for state licensure if either of the following conditions are met:
- The applicant’s proposed marihuana facility is in a municipality that has adopted an authorizing ordinance prior to December 15, 2017, and the municipality is pending adoption of an ordinance under Section 205 of the MMFLA; or
- The applicant’s proposed marihuana facility is in a municipality that has adopted an authorizing ordinance pursuant to Section 205 of the MMFLA prior to December 15, 2017.”
The bulletin also lists additional requirements that companies must adhere to. Retired Michigan State Police sergeant and Medical Marihuana Licensing Board member Donald Bailey suggested shutting down all collectives earlier on September 15. Grand Traverse County, where Bailey served, was especially hit hard with raids.
License applications under the new system will be available beginning on December 15 and will have until February 15, 2018, to receive a license or close.
