by Ben Horner
Bipartisan bill HB 6337, and companion HB 6336, that was introduced in late June would prevent cities and villages in Michigan from allowing a petition question that would limit the number of dispensaries that could be licensed within its jurisdiction to be placed on the ballot. Local ballot initiatives have been the precursor for legalizing both medical and adult-use marijuana in Michigan.
This move is seen as a way to curb smaller cities and villages from being able to use the petitioning process to allow citizens to set certain limits on the number of dispensaries. Small cities and villages may be less likely to opt in to the Michigan cannabis program and claim the potential tax revenue if there are too many dispensaries. Regardless, this seems like another legislative attack on Michigan home rule laws and direct democracy.
Representative Julie Calley is a sponsor on both bills. She was an active sponsor of HB 5512, which passed recently with bipartisan support. HB 5512 allows drug courts in Michigan to prevent medical marijuana patients in Michigan from being able to use cannabis while part of the court program. This bill gives judges, probation officers, and prosecutors the power to set aside the decision in many cases involving MMJ patients.
These new bills relating to dispensaries are only in their very early stages, but with the lame duck period coming up after the November elections, it is possible that the bills will get bundled into a package of bills that seek to change the rules and laws related to marijuana in Michigan.
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