Michigan Marijuana Ballot Proposal Talking Points

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Note: Somebody sent this to us and this is not our opinion or views nor have we done any “scientific” research ourselves regarding anything below. But we thought it was interesting enough to copy and paste and post.

Suggested Statement

Michigan is still evaluating the ballot language to determine its impact on the state. There are a number of implementation issues that must be worked out by the State of Michigan going forward. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marijuana use may have a wide range of health effects on the body and brain. Additionally, marijuana is still an illegal drug at the federal level.

Background

On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters approved Proposal 1, creating the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, which went into effect on December 6, 2018.
Among other things, this Act delegates responsibility for marijuana licensing, regulation and enforcement to the Michigan Department of Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
LARA’s Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation (BMMR) is responsible for the oversight of medical and recreational marijuana in Michigan.
The Act requires LARA to start accepting license applications 12 months after the effective date of the Act. Therefore, there will be a period of time between the election and before operators can start applying for a license from LARA to legally operate.
The law took effect on December 6, 2018, 10 days after the results of the election were certified by the Board of State Canvassers, which occurred on November 26.

For licensing information, contact LARA BMMR Enforcement Section at 517-284-8597 or LARA-BMMR-Enforcement@michigan.gov.
Although the Act allows people to be in possession of certain amounts of marijuana for personal use, any form of sales requires a license from LARA. No amount of marijuana product can be sold without a license from LARA.
More information about marijuana in Michigan can be found at www.michigan.gov/marijuana.

Food and Agriculture Impact

A food establishment license issued by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development does NOT allow operators to produce or sell marijuana or marijuana-infused products. Selling marijuana or marijuana infused products requires a license from LARA.
The Cottage Foods exemption under the Michigan Food Law does not apply to marijuana infused products. You must be licensed by LARA to sell marijuana infused products. This includes any sales of marijuana or marijuana infused product sales at farmers markets or through online marketplaces.
At this time, incorporating CBD oil or industrial hemp into food products is not allowed under the Act. While the Act separates industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana, that does not automatically make it acceptable to incorporate into food. Those substances are still illegal at the federal level and MDARD typically relies on the federal government to determine what is considered generally regarded as safe.

Public Health and Marijuana

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, with 37.6 million users in the past year, and marijuana use may have a wide range of health effects on the body and brain.
Like any other drug, marijuana’s effects on a person depends on a number of factors, including the person’s previous experience with the drug or other drugs, biology (e.g., genes), gender, how the drug is taken, and how strong it is.
The marijuana plant has chemicals that may help symptoms for some health problems.
More states, including Michigan, are making it legal to use the plant as medicine for certain conditions but there isn’t enough research to show that the whole plant works to treat or cure these conditions.
Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.
Because marijuana is often smoked, it can damage your lungs and cardiovascular system (e.g., heart and blood vessels).
- These and other damaging effects on the brain and body could make marijuana more harmful than helpful.
Another problem with marijuana as a medicine is that the ingredients are not exactly the same from plant to plant. Right now, there’s no way to know what kind and how much of a chemical you’re getting.
Two medicines have been made as pills from a chemical that’s like THC, one of the chemicals found in the marijuana plant that makes people feel “high.”
- These two medicines can treat nausea if you have cancer and make you hungry if you have AIDS and don’t feel like eating.
- But the chemical used to make these medicines affects the brain also, so it can do things to your body other than just working as medicine.
Another marijuana chemical that scientists are studying, called cannabidiol (CBD), doesn’t make you high because it acts on different parts of the nervous system than THC.
- Scientists think this chemical might help children who have a lot of seizures (when your body starts twitching and jerking uncontrollably) that can’t be controlled with other medicines.
- Some studies have begun to see whether it can help but more science is needed to determine if it is or not.

Proposal 1 Passage

Under Proposal 1, personal use and possession of marijuana is now legal for those 21 and over.
- Personal use is defined as 2.5 ounces in possession, or up to 12 plants in a home for personal use.
Commercial marijuana will be established following rules developed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Municipalities can prohibit commercial businesses in their communities. The Ballot Proposal requires LARA to begin issuing licenses within 12 months of the passage of the act.
This act also allows for the production of industrial hemp.
This act does not authorize:
- people to operate vehicles or other machinery under the influence of marijuana
- butane extraction in residential property
- possession in schools
- consumption in a place prohibited by the property owner
- consumption in public
- marijuana edibles that can appeal to children
Commercial sales of marijuana will be subject to a 10 percent tax. The revenue generated from this tax will be distributed as follows:
- 15 percent to cities and townships
- 15 percent to counties
- 35 percent for the school aid fund
- 35 percent for roads
There are a number of implementation issues that must be worked out by the State of Michigan going forward. Some of these issues include:
- Michigan’s indoor smoking law does not protect against second hand marijuana smoke. Current law that prevents second-hand smoke is limited to tobacco. While public use is not authorized by the act, public use is likely to occur.
- This act would prohibit legal use of marijuana from being the reason child custody or visitation are restricted unless they are creating an unreasonable danger for the child. This could potentially impact children services workers and cases.
- In addition, there are likely to be questions about how legalized marijuana will impact the public health of all residents. There will need to be work done by the entire State of Michigan to gather more information as the act goes into effect.
- A large amount of Medical Marijuana facilities are in low-income and minority communities in Michigan. How will legalized marijuana impact the public health of our minority and low-income populations? What will be the impact of licenses to sell marijuana or marijuana infused products on low-income communities and minority communities?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is marijuana spelled with an “h” instead of a “j”?

The Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation (BMMR) within LARA is frequently asked why marijuana can be spelled with an “h” instead of a ”j.” Both spellings, marihuana and marijuana are acceptable. Many in the industry, to avoid confusion refer to the botanical plant—cannabis. While the spelling with a “j” is more common today, you will still see Michigan law using the “h” spelling.

The spelling of marijuana has a long history in the United States. Michigan’s history primarily starts from the spelling that was chosen for the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Michigan adopted its statutory definition of marihuana in the Public Health Code, utilizing the then current federal spelling.

As governing state laws spell marijuana with an “h,” communication from BMMR in relation to the Medical Marihuana Act or facility licensing and the applicable administrative rules will use an “h” in the spelling of Marihuana. An act of the Michigan Legislature would be required in order to change the spelling of marijuana in the Michigan statutes, such as the Public Health Code or the newer marijuana laws.

It’s legal in many states, so doesn’t that mean marijuana is safe?

The fact that it’s legal does not mean that it is safe. Using marijuana at an early age can lead to negative health consequences.

Heavy marijuana use (daily or near-daily) can do damage to memory, learning, and attention, which can last a week or more after the last time someone used.
Using marijuana during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may harm the baby, just like alcohol or tobacco.
Marijuana use has been linked to anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, but scientists don’t yet know whether it directly causes these diseases.
Smoking any product, including marijuana, can damage your lungs and cardiovascular system.

Is it possible for someone to become addicted to marijuana?

Yes, about 1 in 10 marijuana users will become addicted. For people who begin using younger than 18, that number rises to 1 in 6. For more information visit CDC’s section on addiction or the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s pages on addiction science.

Is it possible to “overdose” or have a “bad reaction” to marijuana?

A fatal overdose is unlikely, but that doesn’t mean marijuana is harmless. The signs of using too much marijuana are similar to the typical effects of using marijuana but more severe. These signs may include extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fast heart rate, delusions or hallucinations, increased blood pressure, and severe nausea or vomiting. In some cases, these reactions can lead to unintentional injury such as a motor vehicle crash, fall, or poisoning.

Does marijuana use lead to other drug use?

The majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, “harder” substances. More research is needed to understand if marijuana is a “gateway drug” – a drug that is thought to lead to the use of more dangerous drugs (such as cocaine or heroin). For more on why visit risk of using other drugs.

What are the effects of mixing marijuana with alcohol, tobacco or prescription drugs?

Using alcohol and marijuana at the same time is likely to result in greater impairment than when using either one alone. Using marijuana and tobacco at the same time may also lead to increased exposure to harmful chemicals, causing greater risks to the lungs, and the cardiovascular system.

Also, be aware that marijuana may change how prescription drugs work. Always talk with your doctor about any medications you are taking or thinking about taking and possible side effects when mixed with other things like marijuana.

How harmful is K2/Spice (synthetic marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids)?

Synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., synthetic marijuana, K2, Spice, Spike)—or plants sprayed with unknown chemicals—are dangerous and unpredictable. Synthetic cannabinoids are not marijuana, but like THC, they bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs. Synthetic cannabinoids are also illegal in Michigan.

Research shows that synthetic cannabinoids affect the brain much more powerfully than marijuana creating unpredictable and, in some cases, life-threatening effects including nausea, anxiety, paranoia, brain swelling, seizures, hallucinations, aggression, heart palpitations, and chest pains. For additional questions around synthetic cannabinoids, visit CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health page on synthetic marijuana or the National Institute on Drug Abuse page on synthetic marijuana.

Is it safe for a breastfeeding mom to use marijuana?

We do not yet know. Chemicals from marijuana can be passed to your baby through breast milk. THC is stored in fat and is slowly released over time, meaning that your baby could still be exposed even after you stop using marijuana. However, data on the effects of marijuana exposure to the infant or baby through breastfeeding are limited and conflicting. To limit potential risk to the infant, breastfeeding mothers should reduce or avoid marijuana use.

Can secondhand marijuana smoke affect nonsmokers, including children?

Secondhand marijuana smoke contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects, and many of the same toxic chemicals in smoked tobacco.

Smoked marijuana has many of the same cancer-causing substances as smoked tobacco, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions around secondhand marijuana smoke exposure and its impact on chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and lung diseases.

How is eating and drinking foods that contain marijuana (edibles) different from smoking marijuana?

Because marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), there are health risks associated with using marijuana regardless of the how it is used. Some of these negative effects include having difficulty thinking and problem-solving, having problems with memory, learning and maintaining attention and demonstrating impaired coordination. Additionally, frequent use can lead to becoming addicted to marijuana. However, some risks may differ by the way it is used.

Smoke from marijuana contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana can lead to a greater risk of bronchitis, cough, and phlegm production. Whereas, edibles, which take longer to digest, take longer to produce an effect. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster. This may lead to people consuming very high doses and result in negative effects like anxiety, paranoia and, in rare cases, an extreme psychotic reaction (e.g. delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation).

Specific Marijuana and Health Detail (direct from the CDC)

ADDICTION

About 1 in 10 marijuana users will become addicted. For adolescents who begin using before the age of 18, that number rises to 1 in 6.

Some of the signs that someone might be addicted include:

Unsuccessful efforts to quit using marijuana.
Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using marijuana.
Using marijuana even when it is known that it causes problems fulfilling everyday jobs at home, school or work.

People who are addicted to marijuana may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences of using the drug, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning. Some people who are addicted need to smoke more and more marijuana to get the same high. It is also important to be aware that the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana (i.e., marijuana potency or strength) has increased over the past few decades. The higher the THC content, the stronger the effects on the brain. In addition, some methods of using marijuana (e.g., dabbing, edibles) may deliver very high levels of THC to the user.⁵Researchers do not yet know the full extent of the consequences when the body and brain (especially the developing brain) are exposed to high concentrations of THC or how recent increases in potency affect the risk of someone becoming addicted.

BRAIN HEALTH

Marijuana use directly affects the brain — specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.

Heavy users of marijuana can have short-term problems with attention, memory, and learning, which can affect relationships and mood.

Marijuana also affects brain development. When marijuana users begin using as teenagers, the drug may cause permanent reduction of attention, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions.

Marijuana’s effects on these abilities may last a long time or even be permanent. This means that someone who uses marijuana may not do as well in school and may have trouble remembering things.

The impact depends on many factors and is different for each person. It also depends on the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana (i.e., marijuana potency or strength), how often it is used, the age of first use, and whether other substances (e.g., tobacco and alcohol) are used at the same time.

Developing brains, like those in babies, children, and teenagers are especially susceptible to the hurtful effects of marijuana. Although scientists are still learning about these effects of marijuana on the developing brain, studies show that marijuana use by mothers during pregnancy may be linked to problems with attention, memory, problem-solving skills, and behavior problems in their children.

CANCER

Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in marijuana that cause drug-like effects throughout the body, including the central nervous system and the immune system. The main active cannabinoid in marijuana is delta-9-THC. Another active cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which may relieve pain and lower inflammation without causing the “high” of delta-9-THC. Although marijuana and cannabinoids have been studied with respect to managing side effects of cancer and cancer therapies, there are no ongoing clinical trials of marijuana or cannabinoids in treating cancer in people.Studies so far have not shown that cannabinoids help control or cure the disease. And like many other drugs, marijuana can cause side effects and complications.

Relying on marijuana alone as treatment or for managing side effects while avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Studies of man-made forms of the chemicals found in the marijuana plant can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy. Studies have found that marijuana can be helpful in treating neuropathic pain (pain caused by damaged nerves).

At this time, there is not enough evidence to recommend that patients inhale or ingest marijuana as a treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects of cancer therapy.

Smoked marijuana delivers THC and other cannabinoids to the body, but it also delivers harmful substances to users and those close by, including many of the same substances found in tobacco smoke, which are harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system.

Researchers have found limited evidence of an association between current, frequent, or chronic marijuana smoking and testicular cancer (non-seminoma-type).

Because marijuana plants come in different strains with different levels of active chemicals, it can make each user’s experience very hard to predict. More research is needed to understand the full impact of marijuana use on cancer.

CHRONIC PAIN

Even though pain management is one of the most common reasons people use medical marijuana in the U.S., there is limited evidence that marijuana works to treat most types of chronic pain.

A few studies have found that marijuana can be helpful in treating neuropathic pain (pain caused by damaged nerves). However, more research is needed to know if marijuana is any better or any worse than other options for managing chronic pain.

HEART HEALTH

Using marijuana makes the heart beat faster.It could also lead to increased risk of stroke and heart disease.However, most of the scientific studies linking marijuana to heart attacks and strokes are based on reports from people who smoked it. Smoked marijuana delivers THC and other cannabinoids to the body, but it also delivers harmful substances to users and those close by, including many of the same substances found in tobacco smoke, which are harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system. So it’s hard to separate the effects of the compounds in marijuana on the cardiovascular system from the hazards posed by the irritants and other chemicals contained in the smoke. More research is needed to understand the full impact of marijuana use on the circulatory system to determine if marijuana use leads to higher risk of death from these causes.

LUNG HEALTH

How marijuana affects lung health is determined by how it’s consumed. In many cases, marijuana is smoked in the form hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), in pipes or water pipes (bongs), in bowls, or in blunts—emptied cigars that have been partly or completely refilled with marijuana. Smoked marijuana, in any form, can harm lung tissues and cause scarring and damage to small blood vessels. Smoke from marijuana contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana can also lead to a greater risk of bronchitis, cough, and phlegm production. These symptoms generally improve when marijuana smokers quit.

The known health risks of secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke—to the heart or lungs, for instance—raise questions about whether secondhand exposure to marijuana smoke poses similar health risks. While there is very little data on the health consequences of breathing secondhand marijuana smoke, there is concern that it could cause harmful health effects, including among children.

Recent studies have found strong associations between those who said there was someone in the home who used marijuana or a caretaker who used marijuana and the child having detectable levels of THC — the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Children exposed to the psychoactive compounds in marijuana are potentially at risk for negative health effects, including developmental problems for babies whose mothers used marijuana while pregnant. ⁸Other research shows that marijuana use during adolescence can impact the developing teenage brain and cause problems with attention, motivation, and memory.

MENTAL HEALTH

Marijuana use, especially frequent (daily or near daily) use and use in high doses, can cause disorientation, and sometimes cause unpleasant thoughts or feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

Marijuana users are significantly more likely than nonusers to develop temporary psychosis (not knowing what is real, hallucinations and paranoia) and long-lasting mental disorders, including schizophrenia (a type of mental illness where people might see or hear things that aren’t really there).

Marijuana use has also been linked to depression and anxiety, and suicide among teens. However, it is not known whether this is a causal relationship or simply an association.

POISONING

Edibles, or food and drink products infused with marijuana and eaten, have some different risks than smoking marijuana, including a greater risk of poisoning. Unlike smoked marijuana, edibles can:

Take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. Some people eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.
Cause effects that last longer than expected depending on the amount, the last food eaten, and medications or alcohol used at the same time.
Be very difficult to measure. The amount of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is very difficult to measure and is often unknown in edible products. Many users can be caught off-guard by the strength and long-lasting effects of edibles.

It is also important to remember that marijuana affects children differently than adults. Since marijuana has become legal in some states, children have accidentally eaten marijuana products that looked like candy and treats, which made them sick enough to need emergency medical care.³

If you use marijuana products, keep them in childproof containers and out of the reach of children. For additional questions, you can contact your health care provider, your health department, the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if it’s an emergency.

RISK OF USING OTHER DRUGS

The concept of marijuana as a “gateway drug”—where using marijuana leads a person to use other drugs—generates a lot of disagreement. Researchers haven’t found a definite answer yet. However, most people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, “harder” drugs.

It is important to remember that people of any age, sex, or economic status can become addicted to marijuana or other drugs. Things that can affect the likelihood of substance use include: