Gov. Rick Snyder signs landmark medical marijuana legislation

On Sept. 21, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a three-bill package to clarify the state’s voter-approved medical marijuana law that was adopted in 2008.
“This new law will help Michiganders of all ages and with varying medical conditions access safe products to relieve their suffering,” Snyder said. “We can finally implement a solid framework that gives patients a safe source from which to purchase and utilize medical marijuana.”
House Bills 4209, 4827 and 4210 sponsored by state Reps. Michael Callton, Klint Kesto, and Lisa Posthumus Lyons, respectively, will give local governments the authority to regulate the location and number of medical marijuana provisioning centers, allow marijuana-infused products, such as lotions and tinctures for patients who would rather not smoke or consume marijuana, and create a “seed-to-sale” tracking system to ensure that any marijuana being dispensed to patients has been tested for safety. The bills are now PA 281-283 of 2016.
The bills have been worked on in the Legislature, both in the current term and last term, with a variety of stakeholders and patient advocacy groups. They are supported by the National Patient’s Rights Association, the Michigan Epilepsy Foundation and Michigan Parents for Compassion.
For more information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.mi.gov .