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Five Stories That Matter in Michigan This Week – May 3, 2024

  1. Michigan CRA Plans to Open State-Run Testing Laboratory

Crain’s Detroit Business reported this week that Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency plans to open a new testing lab by January of next year in order to promote and enforce safety standards. While funds have been allocated for the establishment and operation of a testing lab, CRA regulators reportedly are asking Michigan legislators to pass a bill that would give the agency more explicit authority to take this action.

Why it Matters: Having an independent, state-run lab would, according to regulators, help establish trust in products and root out potential corruption in the legal cannabis industry.

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  1. Fraser Trebilcock Attorney Robert D. Burgee Recognized as a ‘Michigan Go To Lawyer’ for Business Transactions by Michigan Lawyers Weekly

Fraser Trebilcock attorney Robert D. Burgee has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Michigan Go To Lawyer’ in 2024 for business transactions. “I am honored to have been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Michigan Go To Lawyer’ for business transactions,” said Bob.

Why it Matters: Mr. Burgee serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Business & Tax Department and Chair of the firm’s Employee Benefits Department. He has over a decade of experience assisting business clients and entrepreneurs with startups, acquisitions, succession, and growth planning, as well as more general legal guidance, including navigating civil matters, regulatory compliance, employee benefits, and human relations. Read more.

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  1. June Business Education Series

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Why it Matters: The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is a practical method for achieving the business success you have always envisioned. More than 100,000 companies have discovered what EOS can do. Learn more and to register.

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  1. Marijuana to be Rescheduled by DEA

It was announced this week that the DEA is planning to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, following a recommendation from the Health and Human Services Department.

Why it Matters: While this move is still subject for review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, this clears a significant regulatory hurdle. Marijuana will still not be legal on the federal level for recreational use following this reclassification.

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  1. FTC Issues Final Rule Banning Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide

On April 23, 2024, in a 3-2 vote, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning non-compete clauses in most employment agreements nationwide. The rule is scheduled to go into effect 120 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Why it Matters: Under the final rule, “Non-compete clause” is defined as “a term or condition of employment that prohibits a worker from, penalizes a worker for, or functions to prevent a worker from: (i) seeking or accepting work in the United States with a different person where such work would begin after the conclusion of the employment that includes the term or condition; or (ii) operating a business in the United States after the conclusion of the employment that includes the term or condition.” Read more from your Fraser Trebilcock attorneys.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher
Business & Tax | Robert Burgee
Labor, Employment & Civil Rights | David Houston
Business & Tax | Andrew Martin