Michigan was not regulating the sale of medicinal marijuana.
That all changed on Sept. 21 in Lansing.
Gov. Snyder signed a package of three bills into law, which aims to regulate the retail sale of medical marijuana and marijuana-infused products.
“This new law will help Michiganders of all ages and with varying medical conditions access safe products to relieve their suffering,” said Snyder during the signing.. “We can finally implement a solid framework that gives patients a safe source from which to purchase and utilize medical marijuana.”
The new regulations help to clarify and grow specific aspects of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act that was approved in 2008.
These laws also help medical marijuana patients in knowing they are receiving their medical marijuana from a now state-regulated facility and that they will be legally protected both in possession and use of that medical cannabis.
When Michigan voters legalized medical marijuana in 2008 the law did not explicitly allow for dispensaries and other related businesses in the state let alone the regulation of them.
Tanya Baker, of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Communications Office, said there are currently 24,412 registered medical marijuana patients in Oakland County. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Program doesn’t regulate or collect data regarding the number of dispensaries.
RUNDOWN OF EACH BILL
-House Bill 4209
Licenses and regulates above-ground, safe access facilities (dispensaries) where state-qualified patients may legally obtain medical marijuana. Michigan is one of the only medical marijuana states in the country that has yet to legalize dispensaries. About 210,000 residents are now registered in the state’s medical program.
“It’s important to regulate them because there was no law for them prior,” said State Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville, who sponsored the bill. “You have some good ones in there and they had no protection under the law. These are the provisioning centers that provide high quality products and only sell to registered patients. I’m hoping that this bill will get rid of the poor quality and unsafe dispensaries.”
Callton said Gov. Snyder’s Office was a good partner in developing the framework of the law.
“I was sure he (Gov. Rick Snyder) would sign it because a lot of his fingerprints are on this bill.”
The bill establishes five new licenses including a growers license, transporters license, testing license, processor license and provisioning center license.
-House Bill 4210
Provides qualified patients for the first time with legal protections for their possession and use of non-smoked cannabis derived topicals and edibles, as well as cannabis-based extract products. This measure was approved by the full House on September 14th, 2016 in a 93 to 12 vote. Under present law, non-herbal formulations of cannabis are classified as contraband.
-House Bill 4827
This bill seeks to establish regulations tracking the production and sale of medical marijuana products. This measure was approved by the full House on September 14th, 2016 in a 85 to 20 vote.
PROTECTION OF PATIENTS
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said regulation of these dispensaries has been a long time coming.
“I have been pushing this for years,” said Bouchard. “The state needed to put a system in place that protects patients. All of the things you take for granted when you go to your local pharmacy none of that was provided at the dispensaries for registered patients. This is long overdue.”
Bouchard said although these new laws provide more clarity there are still some loopholes in the system.
“The fact that a convicted felon can be operating a dispensary is staggering and to me that’s a huge fumble,” said Bouchard. “Why should we be dumbing down the system for patients of medical marijuana? They deserve safety and protection. There is just a disconnect sometimes between what is legislation is passed but this time they did take a lot of our suggestions into play. I’m hoping these laws clean out those dispensaries that are operating in a fraudulent way.”
Bouchard said patients deserve to know whatever product they are receiving is pure, safe and a good quality product.
LOCAL CONTROL AND ‘SEED TO SALE’ PROVISIONS
Other provisions in the bill establish a ‘seed to sale’ tracking system on products provided by dispensaries in order to assure that these products are adequately tested for safety.
The new laws are also aiming to help decrease the amount of raids on local dispensaries by law enforcement that were targeted for illegally selling and distributing marijuana to non-registered patients.
Separate provisions in the new law offer localities controls with regard to regulating the location and number of dispensaries, as well as the establishment of state licensing fees and excise taxation levels.
A CAREGIVER’S PERSPECTIVE
John Thompson is a medical marijuana caregiver and has been since 2008. He currently has five patients including one in Oakland County.
Thompson said what’s going on now with the dispensaries is dangerous. He said there needs to be state regulations imposed and taxes levied on these facilities before marijuana gets in the wrong hands.
“Who is going to pay for the inspection of these dispensaries when law enforcement comes in?,” said Thompson. “They have not been controlled since the medical marijuana law went in effect in 2008. “How can anyone explain how these dispensaries are running for free? It’s about time they regulate these dispensaries.”
Thompson said right now the states makes is an easy process for caregivers but said there is one important factor when assigned as a caregiver.
“I would tell caregivers to let their local police office know that they’re growing and that you’re legal,” said Thompson. “You don’t want any trouble.”
Thompson said he would only recommend marijuana for medicinal purposes.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Michigan Now Regulating Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Mark Cavitt
Contact: 248-332-8181
Photo Credit: Mark Cavitt
Website: Oakland Press