Marijuana Regulatory Agency to Issue Rec Licenses Early

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency has issued and advisory that they will begin accepting applications from any applicant for Adult Recreational Use licensing in March 2021 instead of the November 2021 date.

Get Prequalified and Licensed – The Time is Now!
Call Our Office Komorn Law 248-357-2550

Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency Bulletin

Licensure Eligibility Under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA)

To minimize the illegal market for marijuana in this state, the Marijuana Regulatory

Agency (MRA) will begin accepting applications from any applicant under the authority of Section 9(6) of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) beginning on March 1, 2021.

The MRA began accepting applications for licensure under the MRTMA on November 1, 2019. Eligibility for licensure under the act is restricted under Section 9(6) of the act for 24 months after the MRA began accepting applications as follows:

• for a class A marijuana grower or marijuana microbusiness, from persons who are residents of Michigan.
• for a marijuana retailer, marijuana processor, class B marijuana grower, class C marijuana grower, or marijuana secure transporter, from persons holding a state operating license pursuant to the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA).
• for a marijuana safety compliance facility, from any applicant. 

Pursuant to Section 9(6) of the MRTMA, one year after the MRA begins to accept applications for licensure under the MRTMA, the agency shall begin accepting applications from any applicant for licensure as a marijuana retailer, marijuana processor, class B marijuana grower, class C marijuana grower, or marijuana secure transporter if the MRA determines that additional state licenses are necessary to:

• minimize the illegal market for marijuana in this state, or
• efficiently meet the demand for marijuana, or
• provide for reasonable access to marijuana in rural areas.

Minimizing the Illegal Market for Marijuana in Michigan

As the commercial marijuana market in the state grows, the impact of the illicit market remains a primary concern. Products from the illicit market are not grown or processed under the strict conditions required in the regulated market or tested by state licensed safety compliance facilities for harmful contaminants. Where the regulated market is not available to meet consumer demand, the illicit market stands ready to fill that void. 

According to data provided by the Michigan State Police – Marijuana Tobacco

Investigation Section, 83% of the seizures of illicit marijuana plants and products occur in municipalities that do not have regulated marijuana establishments. In the past year, the

city of Detroit has seen a 36% increase in narcotics-related homicides and a 214% increase in specifically marijuana-related non-fatal shootings.  As municipalities throughout the state consider ordinances to allow marijuana establishments, the current eligibility restriction acts as a barrier to approaching local authorization in a way that is equitable. Greater municipal participation is a critical element in reducing the impact of the illicit market.

MRA Releases

• Marihuana Licenses – MRTMA Eligibility 
• Marihuana Licenses – Social Equity Plan 
• Marihuana Licensees – Intellectual Property – Brands and Recipes 
• Marihuana Licensees – Taxation of Adult-Use Marijuana 
• Marihuana Operations – Clarification on Use of Term Dispensary 
• Marihuana Operations – Designated Consumption Establishments 
• Marihuana Operations – Equivalent License Transfer 
• Marihuana Operations – Facility Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Materials 
• Marihuana Operations – Important Health and Safety Reminders for Licensed Marihuana Businesses 
• Marihuana Operations – Marijuana Sales Locations Delivery Procedures 
• Marihuana Operations – Metrc System is Unavailable 
• Marihuana Operations – Temporary Marijuana Events 
• Marihuana Operations – THCA Crystals_Diamonds 
• Marihuana Sampling and Testing – Testing Points 
• Marihuana-Infused Products and Edible Marihuana Product – Edible Marijuana Products 
• Marihuana-Infused Products and Edible Marihuana Product – Homogeneity Requirements for Processors 
• Marihuana-Infused Products and Edible Marihuana Product – Processor Reminders 
• Marijuana Operations under COVID-19 Executive Orders 
• Marijuana Regulatory Agency Response to COVID-19 – 7-6-20 

Take a look at the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), Google It – a nonprofit advocacy community with over 32,000 members discussing topics such as growing, legal issues and so much more. The MMMA which has been around for more than a decade and still advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers. You can also visit their sister website MichiganMedicalMarijuana.com for more news and formal information.