Unlicensed medical marijuana facilities could be back in business
Ann Zaniewski
Unlicensed medical marijuana facilities in Michigan that closed at the end of 2018 could soon be back in business.
State regulatory officials and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday they support allowing the facilities to operate at least until March 31 without being penalized in their effort to obtain a license.
Last year, the state tried to shut down temporary operators in order to more quickly establish a fully regulated and taxed medical marijuana market.
Unlicensed medical marijuana businesses were given a Dec. 31 deadline, and a choice: shut down until they got a license from the state, or jeopardize their chances of getting a license at all.
Whitmer said in a news release that allowing the businesses to operate until the end of March will help maintain patient access to marijuana.
"We have heard from Michiganders closely affected by the ongoing transition to licensed marijuana facilities," Whitmer said. "It is important that we ensure that patients have access to their medicine while the medical marijuana industry continues to develop."
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) plans to recommend the proposal Wednesday to the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board. The board, which meets that day in Lansing, would have to vote in favor of it for it to take effect.
The proposal includes a provision that would allow licensed facilities to source product from caregivers without being penalized.
"This recommendation will extend the temporary operation of facilities and allow licensed businesses to remain competitive during this transition period," LARA Director Orlene Hawks said.
As of the end of 2018, there were about 72 temporary operating unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan. Currently, there about 50 licensed facilities.
Last year, LARA, under then-Gov. Rick Snyder, tried to shut down facilities operating under temporary emergency rules while they awaited a license. But the agency was thwarted by a combination of court rulings and a desire to make sure that enough dispensaries were licensed to supply the state's nearly 300,000 medical marijuana cardholders.
Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski. Free Press staff writer Kathleen Gray contributed to this report.
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