LANSING, MI — Governor Rick Snyder has signed a package of legislation into law regulating the retail sale of medical cannabis and cannabis-infused products. The measures are ordered to take immediate effect.

The measures seek to clarify and expand various aspects of the state’s 2008 medical cannabis law. Specifically, the new law provides qualified patients for the first time with legal protections regarding the possession and use of non-smoked cannabis derived topical products and edibles, as well as cannabis-based extract products.

The law also licenses and regulates facilities where state-qualified patients may legally obtain medical marijuana. Michigan was one of the only medical marijuana states in the country that had yet to regulate the dispensing of medicinal cannabis. About 210,000 residents are now registered in the state’s medical program.

Other provisions in the law establish a ‘seed to sale’ tracking system on products provided by dispensaries in order to assure that these products are adequately tested for safety. Separate provisions offer localities controls with regard to regulating the location and number of dispensaries, and also establish state licensing fees and excise taxation levels.

Tags: 2016 Legislation, MI HB 4209, MI HB 4210, MI HB 4824, Michigan, Michigan medical marijuana, rick snyder