Michigan marijuana

Fourteen towns heavily burdened by marijuana convictions voted to legalize recreational pot last year. But city officials put the brakes on opening a marijuana business, at least for now.

The package would make hundreds of thousands more Michiganders eligible to set aside criminal records. Some Democrats question why they don’t automatically set aside lesser pot convictions, rather than requiring people to petition a court. 

Under the legislation, all cannabis would need to be packaged with a warning against use during pregnancy.

The state’s marijuana regulatory industry announced rules to give license discounts for qualified residents in cities that were most heavily targeted for pot crimes. An industry official said the rules are well-meaning, but she doubts their impact.

After months of changing rules over when unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries must gain licensure or close, a court order Tuesday sides with the business owners and offers withering criticism of the state agency regulating marijuana.

A controversial licensing board ends, making way for a new agency overseeing a market with more questions than answers.

A state commission tells lawmakers not to set a blood limit for stoned driving because science hasn’t caught up with legalization. Critics fear that’s ripe for abuse.

Minority communities have borne the brunt of marijuana arrests. Now that pot is legal in Michigan, the city is giving priority to residents in lower-income communities seeking to profit from licensed businesses.