Whitmer creates new marijuana regulating agency, eliminates current licensing board

by Mikenzie Frost

 

Whitmer creates new marijuana regulating agency, eliminates current licensing board.

 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new executive order Friday to create a new agency tasked with overseeing the regulation of marijuana as Michigan prepares to enter the realm of recreational use.

The new Marijuana Regulatory Agency is within the state Department of Licensing and Regularity Affairs. The agency will regulate both the medical system and recreational marijuana use. Michigan voters approved an adult-use, recreational marijuana system during the November 2018 election.

Whitmer’s executive order abolishes the current regulatory board. The Bureau of Marijuana Regulation and the Marihuana Licensing Boards are now eliminated, under the order. The medial board was legislatively created in 2016 and its members served voluntarily.

The appointed director, which has yet to be appointed, will provide annual financial disclosures and is subject to advice and consent, along with a four-year employment restriction. The agency will also be the primary decision maker and will hold four public meetings annually.

Under the order, the agency will handle complaints while providing information on administration.

Unlike the previous executive order from Whitmer that eliminated legislatively created panels, the licensing board has had time to have meetings. The Republican-controlled Legislature blocked Whitmer’s environmental order that eliminated three panels.

"This executive order will eliminate inefficiencies that have made it difficult to meet the needs of Michigan’s medical marijuana patients,” Whitmer said. “All elements of this agency have been designed to serve and better protect Michigan residents, and I’m eager to have a unified effort across state departments to make sure this process runs effectively and efficiently. I appreciate the productive input I’ve received on this important issue, including from Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey.”

Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel quickly praised Whitmer’s order and said the new agency will help with the licensing process.

“A dedicated state agency that can administer the functions and responsibilities under the medical and recreational marijuana statutes will create numerous efficiencies, including faster processing of marijuana applications, and better serve medical marijuana patients and the developing industries,” Nessel said.

Whitmer’s latest order is subject to the Legislature’s approval.