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State Board Considers Closing All Medical Weed Dispensaries In Michigan

State Board Considers Closing All Medical Weed Dispensaries In Michigan

Medical Marijuana

State Board Considers Closing All Medical Weed Dispensaries In Michigan

In order to combat the high number of dispensaries, a new state board considers closing all medical weed dispensaries in Michigan.

In a controversial move, a new state board considers closing all medical weed dispensaries in Michigan. The new board is a licensing body responsible for overseeing all matters related to medical marijuana in the state of Michigan. The proposal, they say, is due to a massive amount of dispensaries all over the state. But can this legally happen? How much power does this state board even have?

The State of Weed In The State of Michigan

State Board Considers Closing All Medical Weed Dispensaries In Michigan

Ann Arbor Hash Bash 2014

The residents of Michigan voted to approve a medical marijuana program in the state back in 2008. Since then, medical cannabis dispensaries have been springing up all over the state. And many are in close proximity of each other. According to locals, “multiple dispensaries can be found in a two-block area.”

This might not seem like a problem. After all, more medical cannabis dispensaries must mean that patients will have more options and a wider selection of weed to choose from, right? But some are less enthusiastic about the high concentration of shops.

To combat the high number of dispensaries in the state, a new state board considers closing all medical weed dispensaries in Michigan. Predictably, this proposal did not sit well with anyone in the medical cannabis industry.

As a result, the board chose to table the proposal. It will now wait for additional opinions from other state groups and agencies.

Final Hit: State Board Considers Closing All Medical Weed Dispensaries In Michigan

The state of Michigan has made headlines recently in the world of weed. This summer, a petition proposing the total legalization of cannabis in the state garnered 100,000 signatures.

Another petition has also been making the rounds. This one proposing a new amount of cannabis that one may legally possess on their person–2.5 ounces. Lawmakers and experts are more critical of that petition.

In addition to petitions, Michiganders enjoy the annual pro-cannabis festival known as Hash Bash. Established in 1972 as a protest against the arrest of activist John Sinclair, it predates the famous Seattle Hempfest.

It’s a protest at its core, but it’s also a fun event filled with music, art, vendors, and civil disobedience. This year’s Hash Bash featured famed comedian and pro-weed activist Tommy Chong attended and spoke.

Although the news that the state board considers closing all medical weed dispensaries in Michigan is alarming to both people in the industry and medical marijuana patients, there is hope. The state board is responsible for licensing new dispensaries. It is not, however, a law enforcement body.

They can amend regulations, but as of yet, they do not have the authority to actually shut down any dispensaries. Furthermore, it seems that the board doesn’t have an issue with medical cannabis. It looks like its only problem is the high concentration of dispensaries.

So for now, the medical marijuana dispensaries are safe. The state board is set to revisit the matter in September. At this point, they will possibly vote on it. If they vote in favor of the measure to shut down the dispensaries, they would be required to get law enforcement involved.

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