October Updates: Legal and Regulatory Developments Impacting the Michigan Cannabis Industry

In a burgeoning industry such as legal cannabis in Michigan, one of the things you can count on is a frequently changing legal and regulatory landscape. There were several noteworthy developments in October that those competing in the industry should be aware of.

Michigan House Committee Advances Bills that Would Impose More Stringent Regulations on Medical Marijuana Caregivers

On October 26, 2021, the Michigan House of Representatives Regulatory Reform Committee approved a package of bills that would limit the amount of marijuana that caregivers could grow, store and distribute.

In a previous article, we outlined the key changes the new legislation would impose on caregivers, including the creation of a new specialty medical grower license that includes a variety of regulations, if signed into law. One change that was added to the bills before passage in the committee was adding language that allows unlicensed caregivers to serve up to five patients from their primary residence, but only allow them to grow 24 marijuana plants at their home. Beyond that, a specialty medical grower license would be required.

We will continue to keep you updated on this legislation as it moves to the full House for a vote.

Movements to Decriminalize Psychedelics Gain Momentum on a Local Level

Efforts to decriminalize the possession and use of naturally occurring psychedelics are gaining steam in Michigan.

Proposal E, which would decriminalize personal possession and therapeutic use of entheogenic plants by adults, is on the November 2nd ballot in Detroit.

In Grand Rapids, city commissioners recently voted to affirm a resolution that declares “support for state and federal legislative efforts that would decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi.”

In Ann Arbor, the city council passed a resolution to make enforcement of laws prohibiting certain psychedelics a low priority.

There are also efforts to decriminalize psychedelics taking place at the state level. Senate Bill 631 has been introduced which would decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi across Michigan.

Key Congressional House Committee Approved Bill to Federally Legalize Marijuana

While it happened in September (September 30), it’s worth noting in this October update that the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee approved the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act, which would federally legalize marijuana and promote social equity.

The bill would:

  • Remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA),
  • Enable people with cannabis convictions to have their records expunged
  • Create a federal tax on marijuana to support community reinvestment and other programs

The passage of the bill came one week after the full House of Representatives voted in favor of a defense spending bill that includes an amendment that would protect banks that serve cannabis businesses in states where they legally operate from being penalized by federal regulators.

We will continue to keep you apprised of further legal and regulatory developments. In the meantime, if you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Paul Mallon or your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.


mallon-paulPaul C. Mallon, Jr.  is Shareholder and Chair of Fraser Trebilcock’s cannabis law practice. You can reach him at pmallon@fraserlawfirm.com or (313) 965-9043. 

Lawmakers Introduce the Michigan Cannabis Safety Act Which Would Impose More Stringent Regulations on Medical Marijuana Caregivers

An ongoing debate between medical marijuana caregivers and large commercial marijuana producers in Michigan over the role and rights of caregivers is now the subject of legislation introduced September 14 by Michigan legislators.

Introduced as the Michigan Cannabis Safety Act, and reflected in Michigan House Bills 5300-5302, the legislation would limit the amount of marijuana that caregivers could grow and distribute.

  • The legislation would reduce the number of patients allowed per caregiver from five to one, beginning March 21, 2022. This would limit the amount of plants a caregiver could grow at one time from 60 to 12 plants, with an additional 12 plants allowed for personal use.
  • The amount of harvested marijuana that a caregiver could keep on hand would be reduced from 15 ounces to 5 ounces.
  • Caregivers would have to register for a Specialty Medical Grower license, pursuant to which growers would be required to pay $500 application fees and have marijuana undergo safety testing.
  • Marijuana plants would also have to be grown in an indoor, secure facility.

As we addressed in a recent post, proponents of the bill argue that having unlicensed caregivers leads to public health and safety risks, and contributes greatly to billions in black market sales of marijuana in Michigan.

Activists who oppose the new licensing proposal argue that the Michigan Cannabis Safety Act would make Michigan marijuana users more dependent on large cannabis companies, which in turn would result in higher prices. Around 100 people rallied in support of individual caregivers at the State Capitol on September 15, a day after the new legislation was introduced.

We will continue to keep you apprised of further developments in this debate. In the meantime, if you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Paul Mallon or your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.


mallon-paulPaul C. Mallon, Jr.  is Shareholder and Chair of Fraser Trebilcock’s cannabis law practice. You can reach him at pmallon@fraserlawfirm.com or (313) 965-9043.