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For over 30 years, individuals in Michigan who sought to build a family through the assistance of a paid surrogate might have encountered potential legal repercussions, including imprisonment or financial penalties.
Under a series of bills signed into law on Monday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, that is no longer the case.
Michigan Family Protection Act
The Michigan Family Protection Act is comprised of nine bills—House Bills 5207 through 5215. Together, these bills support parents, children born through surrogacy or IVF, and LGBTQ+ parents who deserve to be treated equally. Specifically, the bills will:
“Seeing these bills through to the governor has been one of the most challenging, emotional and rewarding efforts of my legislative career. I couldn’t have done it without my partners at the Capitol, around Michigan and across the nation who have worked so hard to make this long-overdue change to state law,” said state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), lead sponsor of the package.
“For the couples that have relied on IVF to start or grow their families; for those who wanted to turn to surrogacy but couldn’t execute a contract; for parents struggling to adopt their own biological children — today is a new day. With protections for IVF, legal surrogacy contracts and clear legal links between parent and child, Michigan is a freer and more welcoming state today than we were yesterday.”
“Today marks an exciting moment in our ongoing fight to protect people’s freedom to decide when and how to start a family,” said state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing). “Having personally experienced the life-changing impact of IVF, I know the profound significance these treatments can provide people. That’s why I’m so proud that we’re safeguarding these rights in Michigan. This is a promise to every individual and couple that they have the right and autonomy to plan their pathway to parenthood — and experience the joy of bringing life into this world, if they choose.”
“This bill package is important for Michiganders, and today is a memorable and very significant day as it becomes law,” said state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), sponsor of HB 5215. “Michigan is the last state in the nation to legalize contractual surrogacy. As a father of three, I know how important and meaningful it is to grow your family, and today we are allowing Michiganders the choice to determine when, how or if they will grow a family. Dems are committed to securing your reproductive health rights.”
Protecting Reproductive Freedom
As other states seek to restrict IVF, ban abortion, and make it harder to start a family, Michigan is supporting women and protecting reproductive freedoms for everyone.
In 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away the constitutional right to abortion that American women had for half a century. Many states either passed or had preexisting bans on abortion that went into effect. Michigan had a pre-existing law on the books banning abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and criminalizing nurses and doctors for providing reproductive health care.
In November 2022, Michiganders voted overwhelmingly to pass Proposal 3, which enshrined the right to reproductive freedom in the Michigan constitution. This action protected the right to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management, and infertility in the Michigan constitution.
Since then, attacks on reproductive freedom have continued. Last month, Right to Life Michigan filed a lawsuit challenging Proposal 3, threatening access to IVF, prenatal care, and other reproductive health care.
More recently, the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling to take IVF away from families put this procedure used by millions of Americans to have children every year at risk. There have been bills introduced in over a dozen other states and at the federal level that would ban IVF.
The Call With the Question we Anticipate in Today’s Environment
Question: Can I start a surrogacy handmaid tale type of business in Michigan now that it’s not a crime? How much does it pay?
Answer: That is not our field of law. We suggest you ask the Govenor, Attorney General and refer to the new laws. Call us when you get arrested.
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On April 1, 2024, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 4002 into law, effectively recriminalizing the possession of small amounts of certain controlled substances. This legislation marks a significant shift in Oregon’s drug policy, reversing a key provision of Ballot Measure 110 passed by voters in 2020. Measure 110 decriminalized possession of illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, making them civil violations punishable by a fine only.
In a signing letter, Kotek said the law’s success will depend on “deep coordination” between courts, police, prosecutors, defense attorneys and local mental health providers, describing them as “necessary partners to achieve the vision for this legislation.”
House Bill 4002: Key Provisions
Background: The Decriminalization Experiment
Measure 110, approved with over 58% of the vote, aimed to address the state’s addiction crisis by shifting focus from punishment to treatment. However, implementation issues arose. Limited treatment resources hampered the program’s effectiveness, and concerns emerged regarding increased public drug use and public safety.
Arguments for Recriminalization
Proponents of House Bill 4002 argue that decriminalization failed to deliver on its promises. They cite:
Arguments Against Recriminalization
Opponents of the bill express concerns that it represents a step backward in drug policy reform. They argue:
The Road Ahead
House Bill 4002 represents a compromise approach, attempting to balance public safety concerns with treatment availability. The success of this legislation hinges on several factors, including:
Oregon’s policy shift reflects the ongoing national debate on drug policy reform. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether House Bill 4002 offers a viable solution to the state’s addiction crisis.
Real Questions from Real Calls
Question: I think I found a bag with some Fentynal in my yard??
Answer: Get far away and call the police. Even though we battle the police in a court of law there is still a need for them. Unless you want to pick it up and find out.
In 2023 the overdose death rate topped 112,000 in a 12 month period for the first time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dec 28, 2023 (Still left out 3 days)
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Summary
Better Made, is embroiled in a legal battle with over a dozen cannabis businesses in the state. The lawsuit, filed in March 2024, centers on allegations of trademark infringement. Better Made claims a cannabis brand named “Better Smoke” is using a logo confusingly similar to their own, potentially misleading consumers and damaging their brand reputation.
Trademark Infringement Claims
Better Made asserts that the “Better Smoke” logo replicates key elements of their established trademark. This includes a similar design layout and potentially the use of a similar color scheme. The lawsuit argues that this similarity is likely to cause consumer confusion, leading people to believe the cannabis products are somehow affiliated with Better Made potato chips.
Protecting Brand Identity
The core of Better Made’s case rests on the concept of trademark infringement. Trademarks are symbols or designs that identify a specific source of goods or services. By establishing a trademark, companies gain legal protection against others using confusingly similar marks that could mislead consumers.
Dangers of Dilution
Beyond simply avoiding confusion, Better Made also claims trademark dilution. This legal concept protects against uses that weaken the distinctiveness of a brand, even if there’s no immediate confusion. In this case, Better Made argues that the “Better Smoke” brand chips away at the unique identity they’ve built for their own products.
Legal Repercussions
Better Made seeks both monetary damages and an injunction. An injunction is a court order prohibiting the defendants from using the allegedly infringing logo. If successful, this could force the “Better Smoke” brand to redesign its packaging and marketing materials.
The Road Ahead
The outcome of this lawsuit will be closely watched by businesses in both the food and cannabis industries. A win for Better Made could set a precedent for how established brands can protect themselves from potential confusion caused by cannabis businesses using similar names or logos.
Real Questions from Real Calls
Question: I smoked several joints and consumed too many marijuana edibles at a concert in the park. Is that legal??
Answer: If it was not a state licensed consumption event the answer is no. It is unlawful to smoke marijuana in public places. The Gov needs to get their cut.
333.27954 Scope of act; unauthorized activities with marihuana and marihuana accessories; limitations; application of privileges, rights, immunities, and defenses under other marihuana laws; employer rights; property owner rights.
Sec. 4. 1. This act does not authorize:
(e) consuming marihuana in a public place or smoking marihuana where prohibited by the person who owns, occupies, or manages the property, except for purposes of this subdivision a public place does not include an area designated for consumption within a municipality that has authorized consumption in designated areas that are not accessible to persons under 21 years of age;
Read the Law
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-Initiated-Law-1-of-2018.pdf
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He was 82.
Sinclair’s passing occurred on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at a Detroit hospital, merely four days prior to his scheduled appearance at the esteemed 53rd-annual marijuana rally on the University of Michigan Diag.
Sinclair faced health challenges in recent years, requiring him to rely on a wheelchair while residing in Detroit.
However, his dedication to Hash Bash prevailed, as he continued to make appearances at the event until 2023.
Heart failure was the official cause of death reported.
Sinclair’s passing will be a huge focus at Hash Bash, which starts at noon Saturday, April 6 2024.
The annual marijuana celebration and smoke fest traces its roots back to April 1972, a mere four months after renowned musician John Lennon, alongside other notable figures, descended upon the town for a freedom rally dedicated to Sinclair.
At the time, Sinclair was serving a prison sentence of 10 years merely for possessing two joints.
Real Questions from Real Calls
Question: I smoked marijuana and consumed marijuana edibles at the hash bash in the U of M diag. Is that legal??
No. It is unlawful to smoke marijuana in public places.
333.27954 Scope of act; unauthorized activities with marihuana and marihuana accessories; limitations; application of privileges, rights, immunities, and defenses under other marihuana laws; employer rights; property owner rights.
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Read the Law
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-Initiated-Law-1-of-2018.pdf
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Verbal agreements, also called oral contracts, can be legal and enforceable in Michigan, but with some limitations.
Here’s a breakdown:
Generally Enforceable: Michigan law recognizes verbal contracts as valid if they meet the standard elements of a contract: offer, acceptance, and consideration (exchange of something of value).
Statute of Frauds: However, there’s a law called the Statute of Frauds that requires certain contracts to be in writing and signed to be enforceable.
These include:
Difficulties in Court: Even if your verbal agreement isn’t subject to the Statute of Frauds, it can be difficult to enforce in court. This is because there’s no written record of the agreement, so it becomes a “he-said, she-said” situation.
To Sum it Up: Verbal agreements can be legal in Michigan, but it’s always better to have a written contract, especially for important agreements. A written contract provides clear evidence of the terms and reduces the risk of misunderstandings or someone backing out of the agreement.
If you’re unsure whether your verbal agreement needs to be in writing or you need help enforcing a verbal agreement, it’s best to consult with an attorney.
There isn’t a specific MCL dedicated solely to verbal agreements in Michigan. However, the relevant statute that applies to the enforceability of certain contracts based on form is the Statute of Frauds. This is found in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) under Article 2 on Sales:
This MCL outlines the types of contracts that must be in writing and signed to be enforceable in court. These include:
Michigan’s UCC also has a separate provision under Article 2 for the sale of goods:
This MCL requires any contract for the sale of goods for more than $1,000 to be in writing to be enforceable.
So, while there’s no single MCL for verbal agreements, these two provisions (MCL 566.132 and MCL 440.2201) are the key ones to consider when determining if a verbal agreement needs to be written down in Michigan.
Real Questions from Real Calls
Question: I made a verbal agreement and shook hands with my friend for a $20 bet that he couldn’t eat a spoonful of cinnamon. He did. Am I legally obligated to pay him?
Answer: Some questions don’t need legal advice. Pay him the $20 and don’t bet anymore.
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Squatting, in one definition is the act of occupying a property without legal permission, can be a headache for both property owners and squatters themselves. Sorry to cause you a such a headache squatter.
Michigan has specific laws addressing squatting, offering some protection to owners while outlining potential consequences for squatters.
Here’s One…
MCL 750.553: Criminal Trespass
Michigan criminalizes squatting in single-family dwellings and one or both units in a two-family dwelling through MCL 750.553. This law defines “occupies” as physically living within the structure.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
This statute empowers property owners to pursue legal action against squatters, potentially leading to their removal and facing criminal charges. While they destroy your property and cost you legal fees, house and utility payments.
Self-Help Eviction
Michigan offers a unique remedy for property owners: self-help eviction.
Unlike most states, Michigan allows owners to take specific actions to encourage squatters to leave without involving law enforcement.
However, crucial limitations exist:
Important Cautions:
MCL Adverse Possession vs. Squatting
It’s important to distinguish squatting from adverse possession, another legal concept related to occupying land. MCL 600.5801 [MCL 600.5801] outlines adverse possession, where someone can potentially gain ownership of a property through extended, uninterrupted, and hostile possession that meets specific criteria. Squatting, however, is generally temporary and lacks the “hostile” element required for adverse possession.
Adverse Possession in Michigan – Can Someone Claim Your Property?
Taking Action – Since You Can’t Call in the A Team
If you suspect someone is squatting in your property, here are some steps to consider:
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The Law
750.553 Occupancy of building without consent; violation; penalty; exception.
Sec. 553.
Real Questions from Real Calls
Question: I am squatting in a house in Michigan and was threatened by the owner. What can I do?
In Michigan, squatting is illegal and the owner has the right to take action to get you out. Here’s what you should know:
Your Legal Situation:
What You Can Do:
Important Notes:
Here are some resources that can help:
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