Medical Marijuana to House Floor

The House Judiciary Committee voted out a package of bills related to medical marijuana on Tuesday. HB 4209 cleared the committee by 8-2, with Representative Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Representative Rose Mary Robison (D-Detroit) voting no, and HB 4210 cleared 10-1, with Representative Triston Cole (R-Mancelona) voting no.

HB 4209 creates a regulatory structure for provisioning centers of medical marijuana, and gives communities the power to decide if this is suitable for their area. A 6 percent sales tax and an 8 percent excise tax charge are also included in this bill. Revenue from these taxes will be split with 40 percent going to the state, 27.5 percent going to counties with provisioning centers, another 27.5 percent going to local governments with provisioning centers, and 5 percent going to sheriffs in counties with provisioning centers. Additionally, a secure transport service to transport the marijuana will be necessary.

Five licensing types are created through HB 4209. These are growers, processors, testing labs, secure transporters, and dispensaries with a five-member board established to regulate licensing. This also requires a seed-to-sale tracking system, which HB 4827 creates.

HB 4210 dictates topical and edible forms of marijuana be allowed. Dissents of HB 4209 and 4210 have an issue with the taxes and oversight of these bills. Representative Irwin, regarding HB 4209, believes higher taxes and more regulations could lead to more black market activity, not vice versa. Representative Mike Callton (R-Nashville), sponsor of the bill, commented that he drafted the bill to ensure law enforcement provisions were included.

Patient advocates oppose, stating they don’t believe medicine should be taxed. Matthew Abel, with the Cannabis Council, also commented on the new bureaucracy created. These bills will likely need 113 licensing enforcement officials, 34 state police officials, and four lawyers for the Department of the Attorney General. Overall, Mr. Abel feels these proposals have not been well thought out, and may create more damage than good.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 25, 2015 2:42 PM
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