June 25, 2021 – Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency – in conjunction with the Michigan Public Service Commission, the Bureau of Fire Services, the Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and electric providers in the state of Michigan – today produced and distributed materials to inform Michigan residents growing marijuana in their homes about the best ways to keep themselves, their neighbors, and their community safe while continuing to protect Michigan’s electric grid.
Michigan residents with medical marijuana patient and caregiver registration cards have been able to grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their homes since 2008. After Michigan voters legalized marijuana in 2018, Michigan residents over the age of 21 have also been able to grow up to 12 plants at their home. These developments have resulted in an influx of new residential marijuana grows that have a major impact on Michigan’s electric grid.
Since the energy demand for growing marijuana plants is so intensive – often requiring nonstop grow lights, ventilation systems, and other high-demand equipment – it is essential residential marijuana growers understand the impact the increased energy usage in their homes may have on their safety, the safety of their communities, and the safety of electrical workers and first responders.
A Michigan resident growing 12 plants in a home can increase that home’s energy demand by 2.75 times. Maximizing the 72-plant limit for a medical marijuana caregiver’s residential grow operation could result in energy usage equivalent to the average use of 10.75 houses.
Residential marijuana growers should understand the proper steps to take while planning their grow operation to ensure their safety, as well as the protection of their home and utility equipment. Overloading electrical equipment can create fire hazards and damage electrical equipment, which can also lead to extended power outages in your community.
Growing marijuana in a home is a legal right and it must be done safely and responsibly. Before starting a home grow, individuals should:
become familiar with local rules and ordinances
hire a licensed electrical contractor
contact their local utility to ensure their electrical service is sized appropriately to serve the increased energy demand
When residential growers work together with their electric company, significant damage can be avoided, including:
Unanticipated significant overloading can lead to catastrophic failure of utility and customer-owned equipment. If a significant customer load is added before the energy provider has an opportunity to review and utility equipment is damaged as a result, the customer causing the issue may be held responsible for associated costs of repair. There could be lengthy delays in the restoration of service. The utility must determine what caused the issue, find out what the true load sizes are, and upgrade its equipment to serve it.
In addition to damaging the equipment of the customer that added the significant load, there could be possible damage to property of other customers receiving service from the same transformer. This damage can range from appliances to sensitive electronics, smart TVs, computers and more.
Structural fire dangers are by far the worst-case scenario for marijuana home grows. When circuits are overloaded beyond their rating, it becomes a hazard and the cost associated with this kind of incident is immeasurable as it has the potential to cause death in addition to widespread damage to the electrical system and people’s property.
The Michigan Public Service Commission’s website has important information available for Michigan residents, including:
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything – do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney – Use Your Brain.
November 18, 2020 – The Marijuana Regulatory Agency’s (MRA) social equity team will now accept applications for the social equity program online.
On December 2, 2020 the social equity team will host an education and outreach session to demonstrate the online social equity program application process. The information for registering for the session may be found below.
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Time: 10:00 AM Place: Online (Zoom)
While attendance is free, space is limited; interested participants need to register at the following website: http://bit.ly/MRA-SEonline.
The Zoom meeting information will be sent to participants who register for the session.
Following the presentation, the social equity team will be available to answer questions about the application process.
More education and outreach sessions for the MRA’s Social Equity Program will be added soon; check the MRA website for more information
For more information on the social equity program and submitting the application online, please see the social equity page.
Media Contact: LARA Communications (517-335-LARA (5272) Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
The Marijuana Regulatory Agency is advising marijuana businesses of common issues regarding retesting/testing status, labeling requirements, and strain specificity (mixing strains).
Retesting/Testing Status
The promulgation of the administrative rules on June 22, 2020 permits retesting and remediation of failed product. This allows licensees to maintain more product within the market and limits the need for product destruction. However, there has been some confusion regarding how Metrc tracks and records results for products that failed initial compliance testing. When a safety compliance facility enters subsequent results, Metrc will not default to the most current test but rather requires a verification by the MRA to override the initial, failing results. This is a safety measure that the MRA uses to ensure products have undergone the necessary tests whenever product is remediated or retested. Licensees should be familiar with this information and recognize that anytime a product is submitted for retesting, the results will not be updated within Metrc immediately upon entry, but will have to complete the approval process before the they are updated.
Labeling
All businesses should review the marijuana product label before accepting it into their inventory. In the event that the labeling is incorrect, the provisioning center/retailer should reject the package and request that the grower/processor label the products compliantly. If the provisioning center/retailer mistakenly accepts a package that is not compliantly labeled, the originating facility must relabel the product.
The labeling must follow Rule 4(1) in the Marihuana Sale or Transfer – R 420.504
The label must include but is not limited to the Date of Harvest (flower), testing facility, test date, originating facility, packaging facility if different that the originating facility, tag, strain name, warning labels, Net weight in United States customary and metric units, universal symbol for marijuana, activation time, and Concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as reported by the laboratory after potency testing along with a statement that the actual value my vary from the reported value by 10%.
Edibles are also required to follow Rule 3(7) Marihuana-Infused Products and Edible Marihuana Product – R 420.403(7).
All labels must be affixed to the physical product and the full Metrc ID must be visible. Marijuana products must be labeled, such as sniff jars, product in display cases, etc.
THC levels must be accurate and represent the actual tested THC level. THC levels cannot be a rounded number or projected target number. Labels for edibles should accurately identify the serving size. It is also good practice to ensure the packages have dosing instructions.
Mixing Strains
Licensed growers are permitted to submit requests for extraction to bypass the sampling and testing requirement of harvest batches if they intend to convert the plant material into extracted material. Products manufactured from the extraction process are required to be tested in final state and testing in various production stages is encouraged, but not required. Extraction is also permitted as a form of remediation for failed product.
The only time mixed marijuana strains are permitted is under an approved extraction request process.
Marijuana strains must be labeled with the harvest batch, testing date, and results. Mixing of strains for any flower (bud, shake, trim) would not allow proper labeling and is in violation of the administrative rules.
Mixing strains and calling it “house shake” is not permitted. If flower is mixed or when creating pre-rolls, all products must be harvest batch, strain, and testing date specific. Licensees may not mix strains even if they are strain specific as it needs to meet all the labeling requirements. Labeling requirements can be found in Rule 4(1) in the Marihuana Sale or Transfer – R 420.504
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
End of Phase Out Process that was announced in March 2020
The phase out process for caregiver product ends on September 30, 2020. A licensee who accepts an external transfer after September 30, 2020 will be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA.
MARIJUANA REGULATORY AGENCY RELEASE
March 2, 2020 – Today, the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) announced a phase-out process for the transfer of marijuana and marijuana products into the regulated market from caregivers. The phase-out process begins immediately and ends on September 30, 2020 with a final termination of all external marijuana transfers.
During the ongoing transition to a regulated market, the MRA has been committed to maintaining patient access to medical marijuana by allowing certain licensed facilities to continue to source product from caregivers without it resulting in disciplinary action against their licenses. Now, nearly 200 grower licenses and more than 25 processor licenses have been issued in the medical marijuana market. As more licenses have been issued and more plants grown and processed, the marijuana product produced by licensed facilities has resulted in an increase in the supply of medical marijuana to patients.
“We have always put patients first when we make decisions regarding medical marijuana,” said MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo. “This phase out process is an important next step in implementing the will of Michigan voters and making sure that patients continue to have access to their medicine.”
Licensed businesses will have nearly seven months to make the necessary plans to continue to maintain a sufficient supply of medical marijuana in Michigan. During this time, the MRA will work closely with licensees to build relationships and provide outreach and assistance during this transition period.
Phase One – Growers and Processors
The MRA gave notice in December, that – beginning on March 1, 2020 – growers and processors who obtain marijuana plants, concentrates, vape cartridges, or infused products from caregivers would be subject to disciplinary action.
Phase One of the phase-out process begins immediately and runs through May 31, 2020. During phase one, growers and processors licensed under the MMFLA who obtain marijuana flower – defined as bud, shake, and trim only – directly from a caregiver who produced the flower will not be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA under certain conditions.
Phase Two – Growers
Phase two begins on June 1, 2020 and ends on September 30, 2020. During phase two, growers licensed under the MMFLA who obtain marijuana flower – defined as bud, shake, and trim only – directly from a caregiver who produced the flower will not be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA under certain conditions.
During phase two, the total weight of marijuana flower that growers obtain from caregivers must be less than or equal to the total weight of marijuana flower that the licensee harvested (both wet and dry) between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 plus the projected harvest weight (dry) of all plants that are in the flowering process on May 31, 2020.
Phase Two – Processors
Phase two begins on June 1, 2020 and ends on September 30, 2020. During phase two, processors licensed under the MMFLA who obtain marijuana flower – defined as bud, shake, and trim only – directly from a caregiver who produced the flower will not be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA under certain conditions.
During phase two, the total weight of marijuana flower that processors obtain from caregivers must be less than or equal to 50% of the total weight of marijuana flower the licensee obtained from caregivers between the dates of March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The marijuana flower obtained from caregivers must be processed and may not be sold or transferred as marijuana flower.
End of Phase Out Process
The phase out process for caregiver product ends on September 30, 2020. A licensee who accepts an external transfer after September 30, 2020 will be subject to disciplinary action by the MRA.
Pursuant to Rule 4 (16) of the Marijuana Licenses Rule Set (R 420.4(16)), an applicant seeking licensure under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA) shall provide a social equity plan detailing a plan to promote and encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities.
This bulletin is issued to provide applicants with guidance on what they should consider when developing and implementing the social equity plan that is required with the adult use application and designed to meet the intent of this rule. The information in this bulletin is provided for guidance and should not be construed as requirements for applicants’ social equity plans.
Things to Consider When Developing Your Social Equity Plan
Determine if the municipality where you plan to operate has enacted any requirements related to social equity. If the municipality has, make sure those requirements are addressed in your social equity plan.
Review your business’s strategic goals and objectives and determine how the social equity plan you are developing will help accomplish or complement those goals and objectives.
Determine the Focus of Your Social Equity Plan
Identify the primary component(s) of your social equity plan. The following are examples of what licensees in Michigan and other states have included in their social equity plans:
Employing individuals from disproportionately impacted communities at their marijuana establishment(s). A list of the communities the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) has identified as disproportionately impacted is listed here.
Employing disproportionately impacted individuals who have qualified for the MRA’s social equity program (caregivers or individuals with marijuana-related convictions) or individuals the licensee has identified as having been disproportionately impacted based on criteria established by the licensee.
Providing educational and outreach sessions in partnership with the MRA to individuals who qualified as disproportionately impacted individuals for the MRA’s social equity program (caregivers, individuals with marijuana-related convictions, individuals, and individuals from disproportionately impacted communities) or individuals the licensee has identified as disproportionately impacted based on criteria established by the licensee.
Providing mentorship programs for individuals who qualified as disproportionately impacted individuals for the MRA’s social equity program (caregivers, individuals with marijuana-related convictions, and individuals from disproportionately impacted communities) or individuals the licensee has identified as disproportionately impacted based on criteria established by the licensee.
Providing grants, loans, or monetary assistance to individuals seeking an adultuse license who have qualified for the MRA’s social equity program (caregivers, individuals with marijuana-related convictions, and individuals from disproportionately impacted communities) or individuals the licensee has identified as disproportionately impacted based on criteria established by the licensee.
Partnering in business ventures with licensees who qualified for the MRA’s social equity program or who the licensee has identified as disproportionately impacted based on criteria established by the licensee.
Providing training for employment in the marijuana industry for individuals who qualified as disproportionately impacted individuals for the MRA’s social equity program (caregivers, individuals with marijuana-related convictions, and individuals from disproportionately impacted communities) or individuals the licensee has identified as disproportionately impacted based on criteria established by the licensee.
Providing information and assistance for expungement of marijuana-related convictions for interested Michigan residents.
Determine How Will You Measure the Effectiveness of Your Social Equity Plan
In the same way a business owner would measure progress towards any other strategic goal or objective for his or her business, the MRA recommends that applicants identify in specific, concrete terms how they will measure the effectiveness of their social equity plans after they become licensed. Although the MRA does not require it, we recommend applicants include these measures of effectiveness in the social equity plan they submit with their adult-use application.
Promotion and Advertisement of Your Social Equity Plan
After applicants become licensed, the MRA recommends licensees promote and advertise their social equity plan in the same way they would any other strategic goal or objective. The public and other licensees have an interest in what licensees are doing to promote social equity. The MRA is also interested in providing recognition for licensees who have established meaningful social equity plans and partner with the MRA to promote and encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people who have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The MRA plans to post on its website in the future the social equity plans that have been submitted by our licensees. Licensees who do not wish to have their social equity plans posted will have the option of refusal, although the MRA will indicate that the licensee has chosen not to publish the social equity plan.
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
The Social Equity Program is designed to encourage participation in the marijuana industry by people who live in the 184 Michigan communities which have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement:
Allegan: Fennville, Lee Township
Arenac: Alger, Sterling
Barry: Nashville
Bay: Bay City, Midland, Pinconning
Berrien: Benton Harbor, Berrien Spring, Coloma, Eau Claire, Niles, Oronoko Township, Sodus Township, Watervliet
Branch: Bronson, Butler Township, Coldwater, Gilead Township, Quincy, Sherwood, Sherwood Township, Union City
Calhoun: Albion, Battle Creek, Springfield, Tekonsha, Tekonsha Township, Union City
Cass: Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, Lagrange Township, Marcellus, Vandalia
Eaton: Charlotte, Vermontville
Emmet: McKinley Township, Wawatam Township
Genesee: Clio, Flint, Flint Township, Mt. Morris, Mt. Morris Township
Gratiot: Alma, Bethany Township, Breckenridge, Fulton Township, Perrinton, Seville Township, Wheeler Township
Hillsdale: Montgomery
Ingham: East Lansing, Lansing
Ionia: Ionia, Muir, Orleans Township, Ronald Township
Isabella: Coldwater Township, Fremont Township, Mt. Pleasant, Shepherd
Jackson: Hanover, Jackson, Springport
Kalamazoo: Galesburg, Kalamazoo
Kent: Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids
Lapeer: Clifford, Columbiaville, Imlay City, Lapeer
Lenawee: Adrian, Morenci
Macomb: Center Line, Mt. Clemens
Mecosta: Aetna Township, Barryton, Big Rapids, Deerfield Township, Fork Township, Mecosta, Millbrook Township, Morley, Sheridan Township, Stanwood, Wheatland Township
Monroe: Luna Pier
Montcalm: Carson City, Crystal Township, Edmore, Greenville, Home Township, Howard City, Lakeview, McBride, Pierson, Stanton
Muskegon: Holton Township, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Twin Lake
Newaygo: Beaver Township, Big Prairie Township, Bridgeton Township, Denver Township, Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Lilley Township, Merrill Township, Newaygo, Troy Township, White Cloud, Wilcox Township
Oakland: Hazel Park, Pontiac, Royal Oak Township
Ogemaw: Horton Township, Prescott, Richland Township, Rose City, West Branch
Ottawa: Allendale Township
Roscommon: Higgins Township, Richfield Township, Roscommon, Roscommon Township, St. Helen
Saginaw: Bridgeport Township, Carrollton Township, Chapin Township, Chesaning, Kochville Township, Marion Township, Saginaw, Spaulding Township
Shiawassee: Owosso
St. Clair: Port Huron
St. Joseph: Sturgis, Sturgis Township, Three Rivers, White Pigeon Township
Tuscola: Akron, Caro, Dayton Township, Gagetown, Gilford Township, Kingston, Koylton Township, Mayville, Vassar, Vassar Township
Van Buren: Arlington Township, Bangor Township, Bloomingdale, Breedsville, Columbia Township, Covert Township, Decatur, Decatur Township, Hartford, Keeler Township, Lawrence, Mattawan, Paw Paw, South Haven
Washtenaw: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti
Wayne: Dearborn, Detroit, Ecorse, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, River Rouge, Wayne
Wexford: Antioch Township, Cadillac, Colfax Township, Mesick, Slagle Township
Note this list is current as of Sept 9, 2020. To see any updates visit the Michigan Gov site here
Michigan Communities That Meet Criteria For The Social Equity Program
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney.
