In an effort to unify Michigan's marijuana market and provide equitable opportunities for all, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sanctioned a two-bill package on October 19th. This new legislation facilitates the inclusion of tribal cannabis enterprises into Michigan's regulated marijuana landscape.
The bills in focus, Senate Bill 179 and Senate Bill 180, successfully navigated the Legislature earlier in October. Central to this legislation is the facilitation of compacts between Michigan and its sovereign tribes on matters of cannabis regulation and taxation.
Under the aegis of this legislation, tribal cannabis enterprises can transact within the state's regulated domain. However, this is contingent upon them applying Michigan's 10% excise tax on their sales. In addition, the legislation paves the way for tribes to be eligible for allocations from Michigan's Marihuana Regulation Fund, mirroring the same rates as local governments. Notably, this fund annually disburses 15% of its residual balance to counties and municipalities, this distribution being determined by the volume of cannabis retailers and microbusinesses in their jurisdiction.
The architect of S.B. 179, Senator Jeff Irwin from Ann Arbor, articulated that the primary objective of this legislation is to dismantle the existing barriers between Michigan and its tribal communities. This not only facilitates seamless transactions between state-sanctioned and tribal cannabis enterprises but also aims to amalgamate them into a single, cohesive system. As Senator Irwin expressed at a Regulatory Reform Committee hearing, "We'd no longer have two silos but one system for the trade in cannabis here in Michigan."
A significant voice in the discourse around this legislation has been Whitney Gravelle, the President of the Bay Mills Indian Community. This community, stationed in Brimley, has the distinction of being the first tribe in Michigan to legalize adult-use cannabis. Furthermore, they pioneered the opening of a commercial cultivation unit and a dispensary within their territory.
In her address, Gravelle underscored the limited participation of tribal businesses in the state's marijuana economy and emphasized the challenges they faced due to their exclusion from the Marijuana Enforcement Tracking and Compliance system. Gravelle stated, "Presently, Bay Mills Indian Community licenses and regulates our marijuana activity within our tribal nation's jurisdiction. However, the lack of data exchange with the state implies that during product issues or recalls, our community remains uninformed unless through public channels." She asserted that the new bills would bridge these communication gaps, thereby bolstering public health safeguards for both the state and its tribal communities.
This legislative endeavor garnered widespread support. Among its proponents were the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, the Marshall-based cannabis enterprise Common Citizen, and the Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency.
With Governor Whitmer's endorsement, this duo of bills was immediately enacted, marking a new chapter in Michigan's marijuana narrative.
In recent times, the discourse surrounding the legalization of marijuana has gained prominence, particularly as states like Michigan witness burgeoning sales at legal cannabis dispensaries. While advocates of the movement emphasize the robustness of sales controls, concerns persist, especially regarding the accessibility of legally purchased marijuana to the younger generation.
A visit to Hazel Park High School in Michigan painted an interesting picture. Junior Landon Schlack and senior Dayanna Reed, among others, commented on the noticeable shift in students' attitudes towards marijuana. With the emergence of dispensaries at nearly every corner in Michigan, the ease of accessibility is undeniable. Although Schlack and Reed personally abstain, they've observed frequent 'pot parties' amongst their peers.
Driving through Michigan, it's hard to miss the numerous billboards advertising cannabis. For instance, Hazel Park alone boasts of eight active cannabis stores, with a ninth one soon to be operational.
The ripple effect of this growing cannabis culture has penetrated school environments. In a bid to combat this, Hazel Park High School has implemented vaping sensors in bathrooms, designed to detect THC, marijuana's psychoactive component. When activated, these sensors alert security teams, leading to immediate action.
Yet, with the evolving forms of marijuana, detection isn't always straightforward. School Resource Officer Detective Xavier Piper highlighted the challenges, especially with detecting marijuana scent on students who reside in homes where cannabis is used legally.
In terms of incidents, Principal Tammy McHenry reported a rising trend. The school recorded 23 marijuana-related incidents in 2021 and 29 in the following year. In the current year, as of September, there have already been six cases. Projections suggest a potentially significant increase by year-end.
While Michigan grapples with these challenges, broader studies from reputable sources such as the National Institutes of Health and the Journal of the American Medical Association present a nuanced view. Some findings indicate either a negligible effect or even a decline in youth marijuana consumption post-legalization.
Considering other states, since Colorado's inaugural retail cannabis store opened approximately a decade ago, the state's Department of Education noticed fluctuating trends in school suspensions linked to marijuana. Concurrently, California's Department of Education has reported a decrease in student cannabis usage since its 2016 legalization.
Back in Michigan, amidst the apparent rise in cannabis usage among students, stringent disciplinary measures are in place. A 10-day suspension awaits Hazel Park students caught using, followed by an intensive review process determining their readmission.
Despite these repercussions, and even after witnessing peers adversely affected by potent cannabis strains, many students persist. This trend underscores the need for more comprehensive educational programs, akin to past initiatives targeting alcohol abuse.
Interestingly, the relationship between Hazel Park Schools and cannabis business proprietors is harmonious. The latter actively contributes to community welfare. Furthermore, a federal grant has recently been secured by Hazel Park, aiming to enhance marijuana-centric educational initiatives for students.
Legendary musician and well-known cannabis enthusiast, Willie Nelson, is set to introduce his renowned cannabis brand to Michigan this Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of Willie's Reserve.
Michigan is proudly stepping up as the eighth state in the nation to feature flower products from Willie's Reserve, an esteemed cannabis brand initiated by Nelson back in 2015. The strains available from this brand, touted as "Willie-Worthy", are notably potent, with THC content ranging from a formidable 24% to an impressive 30%.
In a move that remains consistent with his long-standing values, Nelson has opted to collaborate with small-scale growers within Michigan to nurture the flower. As the co-founder of Farm Aid, a commendable non-profit initiative that has raised millions to bolster family farms, Nelson's dedication to supporting the farming community and its agricultural endeavors is nothing short of legendary.
In the endeavor to supply dispensaries with this sought-after flower, Willie's Reserve is partnering with Aardvark Industrees, a reputable name based in Lansing. Hilary Dulany, a partner at Aardvark Industrees, shared insights on their collaboration model, stating, "This approach serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it addresses the anticipated high demand for the product, and on the other, it emphasizes our commitment to championing small independent growers in Michigan. Collaborating with these growers not only guarantees a product that lives up to the 'Willie-worthy' standard but also ensures we remain agile in responding to market demands."
Interestingly, Aardvark Industrees has also associated itself with Cheech's Stash, another cannabis brand, conceived by famed comedian and actor, Cheech Marin.
Starting this Wednesday, consumers can look forward to finding Willie's Reserve in over 15 dispensaries scattered across the state. Among these are notable names such as Stone Depot (Jackson), Green Stem (Niles), Verts Neighborhood Dispensary (Traverse City), Mood Center Line (Center Line), Planet 420 (Flint), Endo (Adrian), and all Puff locations spanning cities like Bay City, Traverse City, Hamtramck, and more.
Highlighting the ethos of their collaborations, Dulany added, "We are naturally inclined towards brands that echo pioneering spirits and are willing to venture into the uncharted territories of cannabis. It's paramount for us that the brands we nurture and partner with resonate with our personal and professional principles."
It's worth noting that Willie Nelson joins a steadily growing roster of celebrities who have ventured into the cannabis industry. This includes personalities like Tommy Chong, Jim Belushi, Seth Rogan, Martha Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Tyson, and musicians such as Carlos Santana, Melissa Etheridge, and Lil Wayne, to name a few.
At the heart of Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Diag has held an annual event known as Hash Bash since 1972. It's a gathering symbolizing the state's evolving stance towards marijuana. For nearly half a century, enthusiasts congregated, sharing a collective vision that one day their cause would find legal endorsement in Michigan. Their dream turned to reality in November 2018 when Michigan residents cast their votes in favor of recreational marijuana legalization. As a new era dawns, with a buzz about national legalization in the air, it's imperative to reflect upon the journey so far and the milestones yet to be achieved.
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In a recent development in Michigan's cannabis scene, a Detroit-based teacher is facing serious legal repercussions after being accused of introducing marijuana-infused gummy bears to a juvenile detention center. This incident adds to the ongoing dialogue about marijuana regulations and the complexities surrounding its legality in different contexts.
The teacher in question, Darla Spinner, 48, has been formally charged with possession of marijuana on school property. This announcement was made by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Spinner, who was serving as an educator at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility in Hamtramck, is alleged to have brought the cannabis-infused gummies into the institution on the morning of July 12th, around 8 a.m.
Following this alleged incident, Spinner was charged on July 27th. Fast forward to Thursday, October 20th, she was taken into custody. The authorities have set a $2,000 cash interim bond for her release. The legal proceedings are in motion, with Spinner's arraignment scheduled for the upcoming Thursday morning, October 26th. Presiding over the case will be 31st District Court Judge Alexis Krot.
There are lingering uncertainties concerning the incident. Given the information available, the intentions behind Spinner's alleged act remain unclear. It's yet to be determined whether the gummies were meant for distribution within the facility or if they were for her personal consumption.
The situation underscores the importance of clear regulations surrounding cannabis, especially in places like educational institutions. As Michigan continues to navigate its stance on marijuana, incidents like these are likely to fuel the discourse on its implications and appropriate usage.
On Tuesday, October 17th, the Chesaning Village Council convened and ratified modifications to three segments of the village's commercial marijuana regulations.
President Pro-Tem Keith Wenzel, despite being absent due to unavoidable work commitments, forwarded a letter to the council elucidating the modifications he suggested for the marijuana ordinance. He highlighted, "Initially, Michigan had a lenient stance on marijuana business regulations. However, there have been steady efforts by the state to refine these rules, and it's imperative we align with these advancements. The current revisions are an essential step towards this, ensuring our businesses evolve beneficially for both themselves and the wider community."
Drawing inspiration from other comparable municipalities' marijuana regulations, Wenzel diligently benchmarked their guidelines against those of Chesaning. The village's finance and administration committee took cues from these examples to recalibrate the village's existing ordinance. Post this, it was submitted to the village's legal counsel for a thorough review.
Expressing his confidence in the proposed amendments, Wenzel commented, "The three ordinance changes presented tonight are lucid and get my wholehearted endorsement. This is just the commencement of our journey to continuously refine our regulations."
Following discussions, council members unanimously greenlit the modifications to the village's marijuana ordinance. The first step was the formulation of ordinance 2023-02. This ordinance revises the Chesaning Zoning Ordinance by introducing the definitions for terms like "hoop house" and "fence (obscuring)."
Moreover, changes were instated to ordinances 2019-02 and 2019-03:
Ordinance 2019-02 now encompasses definitions for "interpretation" and "conflicts." It has been amended to mandate an obscuring fence for "outdoor grows," thus ensuring they remain concealed from public view. Additionally, it disallows the usage of hoop houses by both grower and processor facilities.
Ordinance 2019-03 has been updated to dictate the licensing norms and oversight of recreational marijuana outfits. It too emphasizes the necessity for an obscuring fence and disallows hoop house use by both types of facilities.
The newly revised rules describe "outdoor grow" as a secure, fully enclosed outdoor space that remains hidden from the general public by an obscuring fence, in compliance with the Chesaning Zoning Ordinance's guidelines. This space must also incorporate dependable locks and active security mechanisms to thwart unauthorized access.
Concluding the meeting, Councilwoman Danielle Chludil, who voiced Wenzel's thoughts to the attendees, hinted that further refinements to the ordinance might be on the horizon, particularly as Michigan undertakes more sweeping updates to its marijuana statutes.
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