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.
Shutting out the legal adult-use cannabis industry only drives revenue, talent and opportunity out of the state. The jobs associated with the cannabis industry will certainly still exist; they just won’t exist in Michigan if local bans persist.
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.
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.
Licensing board member Don Bailey accuses Gov. Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel of putting political favors ahead of public safety and predicts the criminal element will thrive in marijuana industry.
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.
Michigan’s medical marijuana licensing board has been criticized as too slow at approving licenses. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to abolish it and replace it with a new regulatory agency meant to speed up the process.
Michigan Medical Marihuana Licensing Board member Don Bailey, a retired cop, has drawn the ire of industry advocates who accuse him of unfairly opposing licensing requests. He says he’s just watching out for public safety.
The Democratic governor is signaling a less restrictive approach to pot licensing than under Gov. Rick Snyder. Critics say she will be held accountable for any downside to the state’s pot laws.
The Michigan Legislature has one week left before its two-year term ends. A number of bills, including requiring public employee unions to vote to recertify and banning home growing of marijuana, died for lack of votes.
Thursday marks the first day adult Michiganders can legally smoke recreational marijuana. Where they’ll get it? That’s another story. Here are 9 things you need to know about the new law.
Welcome, legalized pot. So long, gerrymandering. Democrats and women score big victories, as ballot measures all pass. Republicans hold onto Legislature, promising divided government.
