LANSING (WWJ) -- State lawmakers are looking to put more restrictions on marijuana caregivers in Michigan.
A package of bipartisan bills unveiled on Tuesday called the Michigan Cannabis Safety Act would reduce the number of patients allowed per caregiver, significantly scaling down the amount of plants they could legally grow.
Currently, a caregiver can have five patients with 12 marijuana plants per patient -- or 60 total plants. The new legislation would allow only one patient per caregiver, dropping the number of plants down to just 12.
Caregivers are also allowed to grow 12 plants for their own use.
“Michigan has an opportunity to be a national leader in cannabis safety, job creation and economic growth, and these bills help us rein in Michigan’s unlicensed cannabis market that threatens the health of all Michiganders,” said state Rep. Jim Lilly, R-Park Township. “I support speedy passage of this important legislation to help promote cannabis safety, transparency and accountability in a regulated cannabis market."
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The Michigan Cannabis Safety Act also updates rules in the Michigan Medical Marijuana and Michigan Medical Marijuana Facility Licensing acts by establishing a new Specialty Medical Grower (SMG) license for caregivers.
Under current law, caregivers are not required to test, track or label patient product, and can sell their extra marijuana.
Cannabis businesses have argued that caregivers are responsible for the enormous black market of marijuana in the state.
“Every Michigander deserves access to tested, tracked and labeled cannabis products from licensed providers,” said state Rep. Ronnie Peterson, D-Ypsilanti. “This legislation provides the framework to promote a safe, regulated cannabis market while opening the door to entrepreneurship and innovation in our burgeoning cannabis market.”
If passed, the new law would take effect in Michigan in 2022, but it would need a supermajority -- 75% of the legislature -- to go forward.
Caregiver supporters will March at the Michigan Capitol in protest on Thursday.
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