- Small Michigan Cannabis Growers Ask State to Stop Issuing Grow Licenses
Small cannabis businesses “overwhelmingly” asked the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency to stop issuing new grow licenses (at least temporarily) at the CRA’s recent public quarterly meeting, according to MLive.com. They also requested that the number of plants any business can grow be capped at 10,000, and that there be better enforcement of black-market sales.
Why it Matters: Despite sales of recreational marijuana growing 126% over the last year, recreational marijuana flower prices have sunk 47% over the last period. Accordingly, while there is clearly demand, many businesses will struggle to be profitable if prices continue to tumble.
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- U of M Study Finds that Wind and Solar Industries Could Fully Replace Jobs Lost at U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants
A recent University of Michigan study found that the wind and solar industries could fully replace the number of lost jobs at U.S. coal-fired power plants that are expected to close to meet emission-reduction targets.
Why it Matters: The recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act includes substantial funding for wind and solar energy tax incentives. The bill is intended to spur growth and investment in clean energy projects across the country. Michigan has recently seen growth in jobs in the energy sector. In fact, the state ranked first in the nation for energy job growth in a recent U.S. Department of Energy report. Michigan added more than 35,000 energy-sector jobs from 2020 to 2021.
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- Automotive Edge Talking Point at Auto Show
On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer and other elected officials spoke at the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, highlighting key investments in the automotive industry aimed to keep Michigan maintaining its automotive edge.
Why it Matters: Governor Whitmer focused on recently secured investments such as the $7 billion investment with GM to build batteries in the state, and a $3.2 billion investment from Ford that adds 3,200 jobs across Southeast Michigan in advanced mobility.
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- Brian Hanna Named CRA’s Acting Executive Director
On Thursday, September 15, Governor Whitmer appointed Brian Hanna as acting Executive Director of the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency while a nationwide search for a permanent executive director ensues.
Why it Matters: Following the departure of Andrew Brisbo last month who accepted a position as Director of Michigan’s Bureau of Construction Codes, Brian Hanna fills the role until a permanent hire takes place. The state is seeing prices of marijuana continue to drop, calling for changes to occur in the market as businesses struggle to maintain profits.
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- Michigan Plans Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Network
Michigan submitted a plan to deploy $110 million over the next five years to install quick-charging stations for electric vehicles across the state. The plan was required to receive funds under last year’s federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Why it Matters: Given the credits available for the purchase of electric vehicles under the federal Inflation Reduction Act, there are likely to be even more electric vehicles on the road, and a new charging infrastructure will likely help Michigan attract more of those drivers to its roads for tourism and other purposes.
Related Practice Groups and Professionals
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunication | Michael Ashton
Business & Tax | Ed Castellani
Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher