Earlier this week, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan signed three bills into law that will reform the state’s medical cannabis program.
House bills 4827, 4210, and 4209 were drafted in order to clear up some of the murky legal waters relating to Michigan medical cannabis. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over Michigan court rulings that banned edibles and gave county prosecutors the power to shut down dispensaries. For many patients, edibles represent a healthier form of ingestion, especially for those who do not wish to inhale smoke. Shop owners were also concerned that they would not be able to keep their doors open.
“This new law will help Michiganders of all ages and with varying medical conditions access safe products to relieve their suffering,” Snyder said. “We can finally implement a solid framework that gives patients a safe source from which to purchase and utilize medical marijuana.”
Both Snyder and members of the Michigan legislature were pleased felt the new bills would benefit patients.
“These bills are for the patients. They will help children with seizure disorders, they will help people with cancer maintain their quality of life,” said Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville, who co-sponsored one of the bills.
A breakdown provided by MLive of the individual bills and how the Michigan House voted is below:
- House Bill 4209, now Public Act 281, creates the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to license and regulate the growth, processing, transport and provisioning of medical marijuana. The House approved it 83-22.
- House Bill 4210, now Public Act 282, amends the voter-initiated Michigan Medical Marihuana Act to allow for the manufacture and use of marijuana-infused products by qualified patients. The House approved it 93-12.
- House Bill 4827, now Public Act 283, creates the Marihuana Tracking Act and a seed-to-sale tracking system to track all medical marijuana. The House approved it 85-20.
