The Michigan Cannabis Lawyers are committed to doing what is best for the cannabis community. We want to help shape and form the laws in ways that work for the people.
A Proclamation on Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana, Attempted Simple Possession of Marijuana, or Use of Marijuana
In Proclamation 10467 of October 6, 2022 (Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana), I exercised my authority under the Constitution to pardon individuals who committed or were convicted of the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act and section 48–904.01(d)(1) of the Code of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code). As I have said before, convictions for simple possession of marijuana have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Through this proclamation, consistent with the grant of Proclamation 10467, I am pardoning additional individuals who may continue to experience the unnecessary collateral consequences of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana. Therefore, acting pursuant to the grant of authority in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., do hereby grant a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to all current United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who, on or before the date of this proclamation, committed or were convicted of the offense of simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana, regardless of whether they have been charged with or prosecuted for these offenses on or before the date of this proclamation, in violation of:
(1) section 844 of title 21, United States Code, section 846 of title 21, United States Code, and previous provisions in the United States Code that prohibited simple possession of marijuana or attempted simple possession of marijuana;
(2) section 48-904.01(d)(1) of the D.C. Code and previous provisions in the D.C. Code that prohibited simple possession of marijuana;
(3) section 48-904.09 of the D.C. Code and previous provisions in the D.C. Code that prohibited attempted simple possession of marijuana; and
(4) provisions in the Code of Federal Regulations, including as enforced under the United States Code, that prohibit only the simple possession or use of marijuana on Federal properties or installations, or in other locales, as currently or previously codified, including but not limited to 25 C.F.R. 11.452(a); 32 C.F.R. 1903.12(b)(2); 36 C.F.R. 2.35(b)(2); 36 C.F.R. 1002.35(b)(2); 36 C.F.R. 1280.16(a)(1); 36 C.F.R. 702.6(b); 41 C.F.R. 102-74.400(a); 43 C.F.R. 8365.1-4(b)(2); and 50 C.F.R. 27.82(b)(2).
My intent by this proclamation is to pardon only the offenses of simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana in violation of the Federal and D.C. laws set forth in paragraphs (1) through (3) of this proclamation, as well as the provisions in the Code of Federal Regulations consistent with paragraph (4) of this proclamation, and not any other offenses involving other controlled substances or activity beyond simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana, such as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute or driving offenses committed while under the influence of marijuana. This pardon does not apply to individuals who were non-citizens not lawfully present in the United States at the time of their offense.
Pursuant to the procedures in Proclamation 10467, the Attorney General, acting through the Pardon Attorney, shall review all properly submitted applications for certificates of pardon and shall issue such certificates of pardon to eligible applicants in due course.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
Cannabis Regulatory Agency Announces Programs to Support Michigan’s Veterans
In order to further support Michigan’s armed services veterans, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced today two new programs aimed at serving Michigan’s veteran population.
Task Force 1620 – a program that recognizes CRA licensees that have programming set up for safe and affordable cannabis access for veterans – and the Veteran Recognition Program – which will recognize veteran-owned cannabis businesses in Michigan – will help the CRA provide support to veterans who call Michigan home.
“This is personal to me,” said CRA Executive Director Brian Hanna, who served as a captain in the US Army Reserve from 2006 through 2012 and earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge for his 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan. “I understand the struggles that my fellow veteran brothers and sisters go through after returning to civilian life. Many veterans have told me that cannabis helps their PTSD symptoms and allows them to work and live without having to rely on powerful, addictive painkillers. These new programs will assist Michigan’s veterans by connecting them with cannabis retailers who are willing to assist.”
“As a disabled veteran, I commend the CRA’s commitment to Michigan’s veterans,” said Anton Harb Jr., an Iraq combat veteran and founder of the Veteran Access Program in Michigan. “Support for veterans was a key component of the ballot proposal when Michigan voters legalized cannabis in 2018, and I’m proud to see our state leading the country, once again, by providing these programs to our veterans.”
Task Force 1620
Licensees who have implemented a veteran access program that offers cannabis to veterans at a 75-100% discounted rate are eligible to participate in the CRA’s new Task Force 1620 program.
Retailers in Task Force 1620 will have complete flexibility regarding the details of their veteran access program and may set their own parameters on all aspects, including:
- The max amount donated/given per veteran
- What percentage of disability qualifies a veteran for their program
- What amount per week/month will be donated
- The number of veterans in their program
Licensees who are approved to participate in Task Force 1620 will have their business information and veteran access program published on the CRA webpage. They will also receive a seal to display at their facility.
The Task Force 1620 program is available to businesses licensed under the Medical Marijuana Facility Licensing Act (MMFLA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA). To participate in Task Force 1620, a licensee’s business does not need to be majority-owned by a veteran.
To be a part of Task Force 1620, businesses should apply on the CRA website. Questions regarding the Task Force 1620 program should be emailed to CRA-SocialEquity@michigan.gov.
Veteran Recognition Program
The CRA’s new Veteran Recognition Program (VRP) will recognize those CRA-licensed businesses which are majority-owned by veterans of the US armed forces. When a business is approved to be part of the VRP, it will receive a recognition letter and seal from the CRA. The ownership structure provided to licensing during the application/amendment process will be used to determine the percentage of veteran ownership. Approved licensees will have their business name and license number listed on the CRA’s website.
This program is available to businesses licensed under the Medical Marijuana Facility Licensing Act (MMFLA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA).
To apply to be a part of the Veteran Recognition Program, businesses should apply on the CRA website. Questions regarding the Veteran Recognition Program should be emailed to CRA-SocialEquity@michigan.gov.
CRA Public meeting scheduled for 09/14/22
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday September 14, 2022, at 9:30 A.M. For meeting information please see the Public Notice Announcement by clicking here.
The purpose of this public meeting is to hear complaints and receive the views of the public on CRA’s administration of the authorities, powers, duties, functions and responsibilities under Michigan’s marijuana laws.
Specifically, the CRA is seeking public input on the following topic:
The agency has been hearing concerns that the supply of marijuana produced by licensed growers exceeds, or may soon exceed, consumer demand. The concerns include that the wholesale price of flower is lower than the cost of production – or will be when harvests are highest in October. Background data from CRA monthly reports:
- Between July 2021 and July 2022, the average retail price for an ounce of flower has declined 48% in the medical market (from $213.89 to $110.72) and 44% in the adult-use market (from $217.94 to $121.58).
- Between July 2021 and July 2022, the number of plants being grown by medical and adult-use growers has increased as follows:
- Immature plants – 48% (from 282,945 to 417,469).
- Vegetative plants – 295% (from 228,611 to 903,115).
- Flowering plants – 69% (from 309,554 to 521,997).
- Between July 2021 and July 2022, the number of active grower licenses* has increased 65% and the number of active retail licenses** has increased 34%.
* Includes all medical and adult-use grower licenses of all classes, does not include microbusinesses or class A microbusinesses.
** Includes all medical provisioning centers and adult-use retailers, does not include microbusinesses or class A microbusinesses.
Questions for consideration:
- Would you support a change in the law to place a moratorium on the issuance of grow licenses? If so, under what conditions? If so, for what period of time?
- Should the agency eliminate the excess grower license established in the administrative rules, as authorized by Sec. 8(2)(a) of the MRTMA [MCL 333.27958(2)(a)]?
- Should the agency promulgate a rule as authorized by Sec. 9(3)(d)(3) of the MRTMA [MCL 333.27959(3)(d)(3)] to authorize an individual to hold an interest in more than five marijuana growers or in more than one marijuana microbusiness after January 1, 2023?
While the public hearing will be held in person, members of the public will also have the opportunity to attend, participate, and give public testimony via Zoom. The CRA encourages members of the public to participate and provide recommendations to the CRA.
Keep up to date on Michigan’s evolving licensed cannabis landscape by staying tuned to Michigan Cannabis Lawyers. Call us today at (517) 512-8364.
Marijuana Licensing Can Bring Community Benefits
Marijuana Licensing Benefits
Are you considering opting into marijuana licensing in your city? Not only does marijuana licensing offer benefits to the business owners, but these benefits extend further into the community too, which is why all city councils should consider offering marijuana licensing.
This is because licensed marijuana businesses use their status to bring further benefits into society, helping to progress their communities. Below, we will reveal more about this, as well as giving you an example of how licensing in Michigan helped the local fire department.
Michigan’s Controversial Pot Ad: Josh Covert Weighs In
Did you see the controversial pot ad that The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released recently?
If not, scroll down and watch it.
Ann Arbor Hash Bash 2020 – Rescheduled & Live Streamed
Long ago, Michigan started protesting how ridiculous it is for cannabis to be stigmatized and be criminalized. So every first Saturday in April people gather at the U of M campus and openly consume. But this year will be different. A disease is sweeping the nation and events and even schools all across Michigan are being canceled.
On the best year and month possible for this event (04/2020), the virus is COVID-19 is scaring the nation. In preventive measures to keep the virus from spreading, everyone is staying at home to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Ann Arbor Hash Bash 2020 is postponed this year.
Michigan Politicians Support Legalization at 2019 Hash Bash
2019 Hash Bash Recap
The 48th Annual Ann Arbor 2019 Hash Bash festival took place on April 6, and was an overwhelming success in the eyes of City Council Members. Big names in Michigan politics attended and spoke at the event.