Michigan News

Judge tosses lawsuits stemming from Michigan’s marijuana recall

Jan 23, 2024 | Blog, Lab Scandals, Michigan News, News

Judge tosses lawsuits stemming from Michigan’s marijuana recall

LANSING, MI — A Michigan Court of Claims judge on Jan. 2 dismissed two lawsuits linked to Michigan’s enormous 64,000-pound, $229 million 2021 marijuana recall that impacted an estimated 60% of all cannabis products in the state.

The dispute centers on the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency’s (CRA) Nov. 17, 2021 decision to recall any marijuana tested between Oct. 10 and Nov. 16, 2021 by Viridis Laboratories, a licensed safety lab tasked with ensuring cannabis products are safe for public consumption.

The CRA issued the recall after noticing the Viridis lab in Lansing passed as safe marijuana that had previously failed testing for the presence of aspergillus, a potentially harmful type of mold.

“We had started noticing in … our statewide monitoring system that packages were failing for aspergillus and then being sent the next day to the (Viridis) laboratories, at which point they were being reported as passing without remediation by the grower,” MRA Scientific and Legal Section Manager Claire Patterson testified on Dec. 2, 2021. If a product tests positive for aspergillus, the mold must be eradicated and the marijuana retested prior to sale.

Read More Here at MLive

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Justice Department Submits Proposal to Reschedule Marijuana

Proposed Rule Seeks to Move Marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, Emphasizing its Currently Accepted Medical Use in Treatment in the United StatesThe Justice Department announced today that the Attorney General has initiated a formal rulemaking process to...

Bloomfield Hills Doctor Convicted of $6M Medicare Fraud Scheme

JUSTICE.GOVFor Immediate Release Office of Public AffairsA federal jury convicted a Michigan doctor today for causing the submission of over $6.3 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces ordered through a telemarketing...

The Legal Significance of Marijuana Reclassification

The Impact of Marijuana Reclassification on Legal LandscapeOn May 6, 2024, the DEA made a groundbreaking decision, accepting the US Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance....

A historic cannabis shift is one of the latest election year moves

AP StoryPresident Joe Biden may potentially ban TikTok, but he aims to offer young individuals, who largely influence this widely-used social media platform, a more lenient government regulation regarding marijuana. Facing a decline in support from an important...

New rule mandates time and a half pay for lower paid employees

Qualified lower-paid workers who earn a salary but work more than 40 hours in a week will soon be entitled to guaranteed time-and-a-half pay, thanks to a new labor rule announced by the Biden-Harris administration. This rule will raise the salary thresholds necessary...

People v Williams Michigan COA – Police CPL Check

People v WilliamsMichigan Court of AppealsNo 365299 (04/18/24) MCL 28.425f permits a police officer to ask a person observed to be carrying a concealed weapon to produce their concealed pistol license (CPL) at any time and for any reason. Makes possession of a...

Underage Workers in Factories Spark Fines, Investigations, and Legislation

A New York Times report exposed widespread child labor in a Michigan factory, prompting state and federal authorities to take action. The report focused on a Hearthside Food Solutions plant in Kentwood, alleging the presence of numerous underage workers. Michigan's...

Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in Michigan

Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in MichiganDomestic violence is a serious issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. If you are experiencing domestic violence in Michigan, it's important to know your rights and the laws that protect...

Macomb Prosecutor issues first charges under new safe storage law

Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in MichiganMacomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has filed the first charges under Michigan's new safe storage law following a critical accident in Warren. An 8-year-old boy allegedly accessed an unsecured firearm and shot himself...

Marijuana grow busted as feds investigations trend in more states

The DEA is investigating international criminal organizations that are operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, including Maine.The significant electricity usage in a residence, its windows concealed with cardboard, and the scent of marijuana caught the...

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Decision holding mandatory life without parole unconstitutional

Jan 19, 2024 | Blog, Michigan News, News

COA 352569 PEOPLE OF MI V JOHN ANTONIO POOLE Opinion

People v Poole (Docket No. 352569) decided January 18, 2024

The State Appellate Defender Office celebrates today’s outcome for our client John Antonio Poole. As an 18-year-old child, Mr. Poole was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Now in his 40s, Mr. Poole has a chance at freedom. Today, the Court of Appeals held that all individuals who were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole as 18-year-olds are entitled to resentencing, regardless of when that sentence was imposed. The mandatory sentence of death in prison for an 18-year-old violates the state constitutional prohibition on cruel or unusual punishment.

More than 250 individuals in Michigan will now have the potential to receive new sentences offering an opportunity for parole. The State Appellate Defender Office is looking forward to representing many of those individuals in their resentencing hearings.

Mr. Poole’s attorney Maya Menlo said: “We are gratified by this decision. Mr. Poole and so many others like him who received unconstitutional life without parole sentences, deserve an opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of rehabilitation.”

Read the court’s decision here

COA 352569 PEOPLE OF MI V JOHN ANTONIO POOLE Opinion 20240118_c352569_158_352569.opn

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Komorn Law – Federal Courts and All Michigan Courts

Justice Department Submits Proposal to Reschedule Marijuana

Bloomfield Hills Doctor Convicted of $6M Medicare Fraud Scheme

The Legal Significance of Marijuana Reclassification

A historic cannabis shift is one of the latest election year moves

New rule mandates time and a half pay for lower paid employees

People v Williams Michigan COA – Police CPL Check

Underage Workers in Factories Spark Fines, Investigations, and Legislation

Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in Michigan

Macomb Prosecutor issues first charges under new safe storage law

Marijuana grow busted as feds investigations trend in more states

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Michigan Marijuana Sales Surpassed $3 Billion In 2023

Jan 18, 2024 | Blog, Michigan News, News

In 2023 according to sources on the internet the Michigan lottery made 46 million , liquor taxes made $31.5 billion this year, a slight increase from previous projections but close to $400 million less than the previous year. Marijuana about 3 billion.

Michigan’s legal marijuana retailers experienced remarkable success in 2023, generating an impressive $3 billion in cannabis sales. Notably, the sales soared even higher in December, surpassing all previous records.

Licensed businesses achieved a remarkable milestone last month, generating an impressive $279.9 million in total sales, as revealed by the latest state sales data. This outstanding performance sets a new record, surpassing the previous highest monthly earnings of $276.7 million, which were accomplished in July of the previous year.

All recorded sales for 2023, including both adult-use and medical purchases, reached a staggering $3,057,161,285.85, as reported by Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). This figure surpasses the previous year’s total of $2.29 billion by approximately one-third, highlighting the remarkable growth within the industry.

See the CRA Reports

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Detroit casinos report $116.2M in December revenue, $1.237B for year

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2024 — The three Detroit casinos reported $116.2 million in monthly aggregate revenue (AGR) for the month of December 2023, of which $111.4 million was generated from table games and slots, and $4.8 million from retail sports betting.

The December market shares were:

MGM, 44%
MotorCity, 32%
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 24%
Monthly Table Games, Slot Revenue, and Taxes
December 2023 table games and slot revenue increased 2.9% when compared to December 2022 revenue. December’s monthly revenue was also 46.6% higher than November 2023. From Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, the Detroit casinos’ table games and slots revenue decreased by 2.7% compared to the same period last year.

The casinos’ monthly gaming revenue results were mixed compared to December 2022:

MGM, down 0.7% to $50.6 million
MotorCity, up by 5.1% to $34.7 million
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, up by 7.5% to $26.1 million
In December 2023, the three Detroit casinos paid $9.0 million in gaming taxes to the State of Michigan. They paid $8.8 million for the same month last year. The casinos also reported submitting $13.8 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments to the City of Detroit in December.

Quarterly Table Games, Slot Revenue, and Taxes
For the fourth quarter of 2023 that ended Dec. 31, aggregate revenue was down for all three Detroit casinos by 12.9% compared to the same period last year. Quarterly gaming revenue for the casinos was:

MGM: $118.6 million
MotorCity: $84.4 million
Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $66.2 million
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, MGM, MotorCity, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown were down by 17.7%, 11.6%, and 4.7%, respectively. The three casinos paid $21.8 million in gaming taxes to the state in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $25.0 million in the same quarter last year.

Monthly Retail Sports Betting Revenue and Taxes
The three Detroit casinos reported $30.4 million in total retail sports betting handle, and total gross receipts were $4.8 million for the month of December. Retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) in December 2023 were up by $3.1 million when compared to December 2022. Compared to November 2023, December QAGR increased 54.9%.

December QAGR by casino was:

MGM: $291,171
MotorCity: $2.3 million
Hollywood Casino at Greektown: $2.2 million
During December, the casinos paid $180,822 in gaming taxes to the state and reported submitting $221,005 in wagering taxes to the City of Detroit based on their retail sports betting revenue.

Annual Revenue for Table Games, Slots, and Retail Sports Betting
The total yearly aggregate revenue of $1.237 billion — a slight decrease of 3.1% compared to last year — by the three Detroit casinos for slots, table games, and retail sports betting was generated by:

Slots: $984.1 million (80%)
Table games: $238.7 million (19%)
Retail sports betting: $14.0 million (1%)
The casinos’ market shares for the year were:

MGM, 46%
MotorCity, 31%
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, 23%
Compared to 2022, slots and table games yearly gaming revenue for the three casinos were as follows:

MGM, down by 6.0% to $564.0 million
MotorCity, down by 5.8% to $373.6 million
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, up by 9.5% to $285.2 million
Aggregate retail sports betting qualified adjusted gross receipts (QAGR) for 2023 was down by 25.7% to $14.0 million compared to last year, with MGM totaling $2.3 million, MotorCity totaling $5.0 million, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown totaling $6.7 million.

In 2023, the three Detroit casinos paid the state $99.0 million in wagering taxes for slots and table games, and $528,314 in wagering taxes for retail sports betting. In 2022, they had paid $101.8 million and $711,087 for each, respectively.

Fantasy Contests
For November, fantasy contest operators reported total adjusted revenues of $1.8 million and paid taxes of $149,915.

From Jan. 1 through Nov. 30, fantasy contest operators reported $21.3 million in aggregate fantasy contest adjusted revenues and paid $1.8 million in taxes.

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If someone has a gambling problem, please call the state’s 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-800-270-7117 or the MGCB’s responsible gaming section at 1-888-223-3044. Visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

How is the money spent?

Komorn Law – Federal Courts and All Michigan Courts

Justice Department Submits Proposal to Reschedule Marijuana

Bloomfield Hills Doctor Convicted of $6M Medicare Fraud Scheme

The Legal Significance of Marijuana Reclassification

A historic cannabis shift is one of the latest election year moves

New rule mandates time and a half pay for lower paid employees

People v Williams Michigan COA – Police CPL Check

Underage Workers in Factories Spark Fines, Investigations, and Legislation

Understanding Domestic Violence Laws in Michigan

Macomb Prosecutor issues first charges under new safe storage law

Marijuana grow busted as feds investigations trend in more states

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Whitmer signs bill stripping gun rights for non-violent offenders

Nov 30, 2023 | Blog, Michigan Laws, Michigan News, Your Rights

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proudly showcases a crucial bipartisan gun violence bill package that she recently signed into law, underscoring her unwavering dedication to safeguarding the lives of those vulnerable to domestic violence. This essential measure reflects the governor’s commitment towards protecting those in need.

The bills aim to prevent individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from buying, having, or carrying firearms for a period of eight years after their sentence.

According to an analysis by the Michigan House Fiscal Agency, House Bill 4945 aims to update the sentencing guidelines, preventing individuals convicted of domestic violence from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition for a duration of eight years.

The bill aims to broaden the definition of a felony, expanding the range of crimes resulting in individuals being prohibited from possessing, using, or transferring firearms or ammunition for three years after completing their sentence.

Senate Bill 471 renders illegal firearm and ammunition possession by individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.

According to Senate Legislative Analysis, SB 471 would broaden the scope of felony possession prohibitions to include offenses punishable by more than one year but less than four years of imprisonment, committed under the laws of other states and the United States.

But the bills also cover a wide range of nonviolent offenses and misdemeanors, including breaking into vending machines and parking meters, tampering with electronic tethers, occupying properties without permission, causing pollution, illegally recording in a movie theater, and engaging in joyriding.

All in all, these bills enforce restrictions on the possession and sale of firearms and ammunition in over 100 legal situations unrelated to domestic violence.

Senate Bill 471 renders illegal firearm and ammunition possession by individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.

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Read the House Bill 4945 summary here

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/billanalysis/House/pdf/2023-HLA-4945-9B3EF036.pdf

LINKS TO PUBLIC LAW AND BILLS

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.

Judge blocks media access to Michigan marijuana hearings

May 26, 2023 | Lab Scandals, Michigan News, News

Michigan’s largest-ever marijuana recall is at the center of a court matter that the public is forbidden from attending.

The case focuses on Cannabis Regulatory Agency accusations that Viridis Laboratories, one of the largest marijuana safety testing labs in the state, produced inaccurate test results related to potentially harmful contaminants, and inflated THC potency data. Viridis has denied the claims and filed its own lawsuit against the CRA, accusing the regulator of abusing its power and unfairly targeting the safety lab.

“Without having the proceedings being published, it’s possible a lot of things may remain hidden from public view and I don’t think that’s democracy,” said marijuana insider Rick Thompson, who is the executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) of Michigan,

Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is representing the CRA.

Read the rest here at MLive

‘I don’t think that’s democracy.’ Judge blocks media access to Michigan marijuana hearings

Michigan marijuana testing lab says potency results are legit

Dec 10, 2022 | Blog, Lab Scandals, Michigan News

Controversial Michigan marijuana testing lab says potency results are legit. IT HAS PROOF!

Michigan regulators and the state’s largest marijuana safety testing lab are at odds.

When customers purchase marijuana off shelves, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has questioned whether the THC potency results on the label are accurate, at least when Viridis Laboratories has provided the results.

The battle began with a monumental recall issued by the CRA in November 2021 on an estimated $229 million worth of marijuana. The CRA claimed safety test results issued by Viridis Laboratories — the lab that tested all that marijuana — were unreliable.

On Oct. 20, plaintiffs seeking a class-action lawsuit, filed claims against the owners of Jeeter marijuana brand pre-rolls in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming the brand regularly inflates potency and misleads customers for profits.

“For example, the Baby Jeeter Fire OG Diamond Infused 5-Pack Preroll was listed as having 46% THC on the label,” the lawsuit said. “Independent lab testing showed, however, that the actual THC content of the product was substantially lower, between 23-27% THC.”

Similar claims have been levied against products in Michigan that have been labeled with what some have called impossibly high potencies.