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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New House Committee Assignments

House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) announced new committee assignments and a newly established subcommittee following vacancies created by former Representatives Brandon Dillon, Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat.

Representative Daniela Garcia (R-Holland) will take over Ms. Gamrat’s position on Appropriations, and Representative Lisa Posthumous Lyons (R-Alto) will replace Mr. Courser’s seat on the Education Committee. Representative Chris Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township) is now assigned the Criminal Justice Committee, Representative Jim Tedder (R-Clarkston) is on the Regulatory Reform Committee, Representative Holly Hughes (R-Montague) is on the Agriculture Committee, and Representative Ben Glardon (R-Owosso) is on the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee.

Representative Pam Faris (D-Clio) will return to the House Appropriations Committee to replace Brandon Dillon. She will also join the Transportation Subcommittee and the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee.

Representative Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) will replace Representative Faris on the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, and Representative Wendell Byrd (D-Detroit) on Financial Liability Reform.

For House Appropriations, Representative Aaron Miller (R-Sturgis) will now be on Education, Representative Laura Cox (R-Livonia) on Licensing and Regulatory Reform, Representative Edward Canfield (R-Sebewaing) on Military and Veteran Affairs Subcommittee, and Representative Earl Poleski (R-Jackson) will be on Natural Resources and will replace Representative Robert VerHeulen (R-Walker) as chair of Judiciary.

Speaker Cotter created a House Appropriations Subcommittee, called Health and Human Services Subcommittee, in response to the merged community health and human services departments. The chairs of the subcommittee are Representative Robert VerHeulen (R-Walker) and Representative Earl Poleski (R-Jackson) as majority chair and vice chair, respectively, and Representative Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) as minority vice chair.

The other members include Representatives Chris Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township), Joe Bizon (R-Battle Creek), Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo), Edward Canfield (R-Sebewaing), Laura Cox (R-Livonia), Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg); Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Township), Mike McCready (R-Bloomfield Hills), Pam Faris (D-Clio), Kristy Pagan (D-Canton), and Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights).

posted by PAA Online , 2:41 PM
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Regional Approach to Economic Development Underway

In 2013, Governor Rick Snyder announced a regional prosperity initiative with some criticism, but is now closing in on the 10-region goal with minimal problems. Michigan Works! agencies have decreased from 25 different offices to 16 since the Governor’s announcement.

Michigan Works!, Networks Northwest, and other like companies are responsible for connecting employers with talent. Although created under federal legislation, these companies are almost always locally run.

Elaine Wood, CEO of Networks Northwest, has commented that although there have been concerns from the county commissioners responsible for reorganizing the agencies, almost all have seen benefits from this consolidation. Holland and Allegan County were used as an example, where Holland is responsible for about 17 percent of Allegan County’s tax revenue, but a portion of the city is in Ottawa County. With the funding having been split between these two counties, it creates unnecessary hardships on customers.

Ms. Wood commented that the more things are split up like Allegan County in regards to Holland, the less successful and meaningful the services are. At the same time, a one-size-fits-all approach to the state as a whole isn’t successful either. In her opinion, the regional approach Michigan is adopting is the best solution.

posted by PAA Online , 2:41 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Marco Rubio Staffer Not Charged

Mackinac County Prosecutor Stuart Spencer has not brought charges against Rich Beeson, the campaign manager for Marco Rubio, following an incident on Mackinac Island last Friday. John Yob, a Michigan political consultant and aide to Rand Paul, claimed Mr. Beeson had punched him in the face, and demanded charges be filed. Prosecutor Spencer reviewed the police report and a security video from a nearby bar, and decided the “punch” was more of a shove, and did not warrant charges. Mr. Spencer also speculated Mr. Yob had made a comment that triggered the incident, and advised both presidential hopefuls to have a conversation with their staffers about appropriate conduct.

Middle School Principal Announces 96^th House Campaign

Principal Brian DuFresne of Bay City announced his candidacy for the 96^th House District. Current Representative Charles Brunner (D-Bay City) will be unable to seek reelection due to term limits. Principal DuFresne is a member of the Michigan Democratic Party and the National Rifle Association, and has degrees from Delta Community College, Central Michigan University, and Saginaw Valley State University. There will be an announcement rally on September 26^th in Bay City.

posted by PAA Online , 2:38 PM
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