Resources

MARIJUANA IN MICHIGAN

Click on the links below to jump to that section on this page.

League Webinar on Recreational Marijuana

Recreational Marijuana

On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters approved Proposal 18-1, which legalized recreational marijuana and created the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA). Each community is now required to decide if it is going to allow or prohibit state-licensed recreational marijuana establishments.

If a municipality intends to allow recreational marihuana businesses, then it does not need to take any action. Under this new Act, every municipality is considered to be “in” unless it takes specific action to opt out. We have a few sample opt out ordinances (below) but opt in ordinances are not necessary or required. As communities start to pass ordinances regulating recreational marihuana businesses, we will post those ordinances on our website. If your municipality has passed a Resolution in support of the recreational marihuana industry, please send it to us and we will post it here.

Marijuana Regulatory Agency: Municipal Guide (MRA paper based on questions it received from municipalities. It includes Q&A for the MMMA, MMFLA & MRTMA) 10/21/20
Adult Use Marihuana Establishments Emergency Rules - issued July 3, 2019
Proposal 1: Recreational Marihuana White Paper
Recreational Marihuana Q&As, Updated July 24, 2019
Sample ordinances
- opt in ordinances
  - Alpha, HRV, (pop. 145 )
    - Appendix A – authorized establishments
  - Battle Creek, HRC, (pop. 52,347)
  - Buchanan, HRC, (pop. 4,456)
  - Chesaning, GLV (pop. 2,394)
  - Manistee, HRC, (pop. 6,226)
  - Marshall, HRC, (pop. 7,088)
  - Marquette, HRC, (pop. 21,355)
  - Morenci, HRC, (pop. 2,220)
  - Reading, HRC, (pop. 1,078)
    - Zoning
    - MRTMA
  - Westland, HRC, (pop. 84,094)
    - MMFLA and MRTMA
    - Zoning

opt out ordinances
- Clare, HRC, (pop. 3,118)
- Mt Pleasant, HRC, (pop. 26,016)
  - Proposed initiated ordinance ballot wording,Nov 5 2019
- Perry, HRC, (pop. 2,188)
- Riverview, HRC, (pop. 12,486)
- Saint Clair Shores, HRC, (pop. 59,715)
- Sterling Heights, HRC, (pop. 129,699)

Send your ordinances to LARA at: LARA-BMR-Enforcement@michigan.gov

Comparing MMFLA to Recreational Marihuana Proposal
Chart Comparing Key Provisions of Michigan's Marihuana Statutes NEW!
Proposal 18-1 official ballot wording
State of Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency
HR Up in Smoke: The Intersection Between Marijuana Legalization and Employment Law (2018 League Convention presentation)

Michigan Municipal League Webinar on Recreational Marijuana

Adult Use Marijuana: It's Decision Time*
Marijuana Regulatory Agency Executrive Director Andrew Brisbo discusses the highly anticipated Adult Use Marijuana Emergency Rules. This is your chance to find out how these rules will affect your community. Communities need to make decisions on Adult Use Marijuana soon.

*There is a fee of $20 for this webinar.

Michigan Municipal League Podcasts on Marijuana

Episode 19 - New Emergency Rules for Recreational Marijuana

Guests:
Andrew Brisbo, Executive Director, Marijuana Regulatory Agency, Michigan Dept. of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Christopher Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League

Episode 16 - Recreational Marijuana - What You need to Know About Michigan's New Law

Guests:
Andrew Brisbo, Director, Bureau of Marijuana Regulation, Michigan Dept. of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League

Episode 13 - Recreational Marjuana - What Should Municipalities Be Talking and Thinking About?

Guests:
Clyde Robinson, City Attorney, City of Kalamazoo
Christopher Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League

Episode 9 - Marijuana Legalization in Colorado

Guest: Charles Mitchell, Senior Assistant City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office, City and County of Denver

Episode 3 - Marijuana Legalization in Colorado

Guest:
Chelsey Clarke, Strategic Intelligence Unit Supervisor, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Medical Marijuana

Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA), 2016

Gov. Snyder signed medical marihuana legislation to regulate dispensaries and clarify the legality of edible products in Michigan. The new law will allow licensed dispensaries to operate in communities that choose to allow them. Growers, processers, testing facilities, and transporters will also be licensed and regulated.

The MMFLA took effect Dec. 20, 2016—however it includes an additional delay in implementation of 360 days to enable the state to establish the licensing system required by the Act. A person cannot apply to the state for a license of any kind under the MMFLA until December 15, 2017. And, no one can apply to the state for a license of any kind under the MMFLA unless a municipality adopts an ordinance authorizing that type of facility.

MMFLA Resources:

LARA Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation, MMFLA Emergency Rules, Dec. 4, 2017

LARA Medical Marihuana Facility Licensing Division FAQs

Michigan Municipal League report: Medical Marihuana Facilities - Opt In/Opt Out, updated May 4, 2018 to include LARA Rules and the November ballot proposal ,

League training (PowerPoint), State and Local Regulation of Medical Marihuana, 10/3/17

Michigan Municipal League Fact Sheet: Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act

Michigan Municipal League Fact Sheet: Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act Q&A

Risky Business? The Trump Administration and the State-Licensed Marijuana Industry, Robert A. Mikos, 2017 University of Illinois Law Review Online (2017)

On the Limits of Supremacy: Medical Marijuana and the States’ Overlooked Power to Legalize Federal Crime, Robert A. Mikos, 62 Vanderbilt Law Review 1421 (2009)

Marijuana Localism, Robert A. Mikos, 65 Case Western Reserve Law Review 719 (2015)

Marijuana Law, Policy, and Authority, Robert A. Mikos, (2017) (textbook and companion website)

The Economic Impact of a Strong Regulatory Framework for Medical Marijuana in Michigan, (Dr. Gary Wolfram, President of Hillsdale Policy Group, Ltd.; William E. Simon, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, and Director of Economics at Hillsdale College, February 2016)

OPT IN Sample Resolutions:

Bay City, HRC (pop. 34,932); Resolution - intent to opt-in to MMFLA

Benton Harbor, HRC, (pop. 10,038); MMFLA opt-in Resolution

Niles, HRC, (pop. 11,600); Resolution – intent to opt-in to MMFLA

Omer, HRC 4th Class, (pop. 313); Resolution—intent to opt-in to MMFLA

Portage, HRC (pop. 46,292); Resolution - intent to opt-in to MMFLA

OPT IN Sample Ordinances:

Sample MMFLA opt-in ordinance, generic municipal

Adrian, HRC (pop. 21,133); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Ann Arbor, HRC, (pop. 113,934); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Bangor, HRC, (pop. 1,885); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Battle Creek, HRC, (pop. 52,347); http://battlecreekmi.gov/637/Medical-Marihuana (includes opt-in ordinance, zoning ordinance, permit application, and planning commission report)

Bay City, HRC, (pop. 34,932); MMLFA opt-in ordinance, medical marihuana website https://www.baycitymi.org/616/Medical-Marijuana

Breedsville, GLV (pop. 199); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Buchanan, HRC (pop. 4,456); Resolution – intent to opt-in to MMFLA; opt-in ordinance; zoning amendment ordinance

Camden, GLV (pop. 512); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Chesaning, GLV, (pop. 2,394); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Clare, HRC (pop. 3,118); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Constantine, GLV, (pop. 2,076); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

DeTour, GLV (pop. 325); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Eau Claire, GLV, (pop 625); MMFLA opt-in ordinance, zoning amendment ordinance

Evart, HRC, (pop.1,903); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Hartford, HRC (pop. 2,688); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Hazel Park, HRC, (pop. 16,422); opt-in ordinance

Kalamazoo, HRC, (pop. 74,262); https://www.kalamazoocity.org/medicalmarihuana (includes ordinances, maps, and public forum feedback)

Kalkaska, GLV, (pop. 2,020); MMFLA opt-in ordinance, zoning ordinance

Kingsley, GLV (pop. 1,480) MMFLA opt-in ordinance, zoning ordinance

Lansing, HRC (pop. 114,297); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Marshall, HRC (pop. 7,088); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Morenci, HRC, (pop. 2,220); zoning amendment ordinance; MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Newaygo, HRC, (pop. 1,976); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Niles, HRC, (pop.11,600); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Reading, HRC, (pop. 1,078) MMFLA opt-in ordinance

River Rouge, HRC (pop. 7,903); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Vassar HRC, (pop.2,697); zoning ordinance – principal uses; zoning ordinance – special permit, zoning map

Webberville, GLV (pop. 1,272); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

Ypsilanti, HRC (pop. 19,435); MMFLA opt-in ordinance

OPT OUTSample Ordinances/Resolutions

Eaton Rapids, HRC (pop. 5,214); not authorizing MMFLA facilities

Monroe, HRC, (pop. 20,733); not authorizing MMFLA facilities

Norton Shores, HRC (pop. 23,994); prohibiting MMFLA facilities

Oak Park, HRC, (pop. 29,319); prohibiting medical marihuana facilities

Potterville, HRC (pop. 2,617); not authorizing MMFLA facilities

Saint Clair, HRC (pop. 5,485); prohibits MMFLA facilities

Stephenson, HRC (pop. 862); not authorizing MMFLA facilities

Odor Control Resources:

Boulder CO; Odor Control Plan for Marijuana Cultivation

Denver CO; Odor Control Plan template

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, WA; Notice of Construction & App for Approval (includes Odor Control requirements)

Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), 2008

FACTS

In 2016, there were

· 148.908 applications for medical marihuana registry identification cards were filed

· 218,556 qualifying patients and 38,107 primary caregivers

·1 registry identification card was revoked

· 1,758 physicians provided written certification for qualifying medical marihuana patients

MDCH keeps a confidential list of the individuals to whom it has issued cards, which is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

In November 2008, Michigan voters passed a referendum to enable certain specified persons to legally obtain, possess, cultivate/grow, use, and distribute marijuana. The "Medical Marihuana Act" went into effect on December 4, 2008.

Ter Beek Supreme Court Ruling (Feb. 6, 2014) A local ordinance cannot prohibit the usage of medical marihuana in Michigan by claiming cover under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Ter Beek v Wyoming amicus brief filed by the Michigan Municipal League’s Legal Defense Fund Board on behalf of the city of Wyoming.

McQueen Supreme Court Ruling
This ruling limits medical marihuana sales to caregiver to patient, prohibiting patient to patient sales.

MMMA Resources:

Michigan Attorney General's Formal Opinion Issued June 28, 2011

A Local Government View of the MMMA by Gerald A. Fisher, Consultant

The "Medical Marihuana Act"

Department of Community Health Administrative Rules, effective April 4, 2009

State of Michigan "Medical Marihuana Program" (MMMP)

State of Michigan "Medical Marihuana Q&A"

State of Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Association PowerPoint (PDF)

Video on Pre-Con Education Session: Medical Marihuana Act and Your Community