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DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS.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.
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.
May 19, 2020 – The Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) announced today an expansion of the eligibility criteria to its social equity program, as well as increased benefits, further reduced fees, and enhanced eligibility for certain applicants. Beginning June 1, 2020, this expansion will increase the number of disproportionately impacted communities from 41 to 184 and will make it easier for individuals from those communities to qualify to participate in the program.
Expanded Communities
Section 8 of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA) requires the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) to develop 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.
From the results of last year’s survey and workgroups, the MRA developed a Social Equity Program that identifies communities as eligible using two criteria: marijuana-related convictions and poverty rate.
Currently, communities which have marijuana-related convictions greater than the state median and have 30% or more of the population living below the federal poverty level are identified as disproportionately impacted communities. On June 1, 2020, communities with 20% or more of the population living below the federal poverty level will now qualify. This expansion will result in 184 disproportionately impacted communities. The complete list is available at the end of this document.
Fee Reduction: Eligibility Changes and Expansion
Effective June 1, 2020, applicants will no longer be required to live in a disproportionately impacted community to be eligible for a marijuana-related conviction fee reduction or a caregiver fee reduction. In addition, a 40% fee reduction has been added for applicants who have been convicted of a marijuana-related felony. Below are available fee reductions, effective June 1, 2020: ___________________________________________________________
Residency – 25% fee reduction for residency in a disproportionately impacted community for at least 5 cumulative years of the last 10 years.
Marijuana-Related Conviction – 25% fee reduction for having been convicted of a marijuana-related misdemeanor** OR 40% fee reduction or having been convicted of a marijuana-related felony**
**Excluding distribution of a controlled substance to a minor
Caregiver – 10% fee reduction for registration as a primary caregiver under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act for at least 2 years between 2008-2017 _______________________________________________________________
Effective June 1, 2020, applicants/licensees who qualify for the maximum fee reduction will now receive a 75% reduction in their application and annual licensing fees. An applicant can meet any of the above criteria and be eligible for the associated fee reduction, regardless of where they reside in Michigan.
Currently, fee reductions last indefinitely so long as the applicant/licensee remains eligible for the fee reductions and operates within a disproportionately impacted community. Beginning June 1, 2020, applicants/licenses may now operate outside of a disproportionately impacted community; if they choose to do so, the fee reductions will expire after the first two years of operation.
Application Assistance, Resources, Employment, and Training
The MRA’s social equity representatives will continue to assist individuals with completing the social equity application, which will allow the MRA to determine if the individual qualifies for participation in the program.
At this time, the social equity team will be providing remote application assistance to qualifying applicants applying for adult-use licenses. This will be available on a one-on-one basis as plans are made for a safe return to in-person sessions.
Later this year the MRA will host a job fair. We are preparing to post job listings on our website and connect qualifying applicants with training resources that will help them develop the skills necessary for employment in the marijuana industry.
List of Communities by County
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
View a Map of the Active Facilities Licenses in Michigan, Including Provisioning Centers Licensed for Home Delivery. This map is filterable by type using the filter key (click the filter icon top right). Use the slider bar at bottom of map if you do not see options.
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