LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — The State of Michigan licensing agency has finally issued its emergency regulations for medical marijuana and there aren’t a lot of surprises in the 33-page document.
The most controversial points, including $6000 application fees and high asset requirements had already been issued in advisories.
The temporary rules will allow dispensaries that are operating under local agreements to stay open for the next six months until the regulated growing, distribution and sales operations are licensed and up and running.
They are emergency regulations because they started too late to have the final rules in place and even these interim rules are two weeks late. Andrew Brisbo is the Director of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.
The final rules won’t be hammered out for another six months, and it may be months before the first licenses are issued.
Because of the late start, few municipalities will be ready with ordinances on time.
Last night, Kalamazoo City Attorney Clyde Robinson told Commissioners now that they have the rules, it will be at least late January or early February before he will have a revised ordinance for their consideration. He says it’s a big job. Portage is also looking at ordinance adoption sometime early next year.
While the City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township and Portage work toward welcoming medical marijuana based businesses, The Comstock Township Board last night voted to opt out…at least for now. Township Clerk Michelle Mohney says for now the hassle was not worth the revenue the city might earn from hosting such businesses.
The vote was 5 to 2.
Medical marijuana patients in Comstock will still be allowed to obtain and use grass, they will either have to grow their own or travel to town to get it.
