Michigan

Michael Thompson — the Flint, Michigan man who in 1994 was sentenced to 40-60 years for cannabis sales — will get a public parole hearing this November after 25 years of imprisonment.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a piece of legislation creating an automatic process for the expungement of criminal activity that would now be legal under the state’s 2018 legalization initiative.

The Michigan Senate has approved legislation that would automatically expunge thousands of criminal records for low-level crimes and even some felonies.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council has unanimously passed a resolution to decriminalize naturally occurring psychedelics, including mushrooms and ayahuasca.

A Florida-based attorney has filed federal lawsuits against at least three cannabis companies in Michigan, claiming the companies sent unsolicited marketing text messages or automated phone calls without proper consent.

Michigan regulators ordered the recall of about 3,200 pre-rolls after an employee allegedly licked one of the pre-rolls while making the product.

Michael Thompson, a nonviolent drug offender who is currently serving a prison sentence of 40-60 years for selling cannabis, has been hospitalized with COVID-19.

Killer Mike and El-P, the rappers known collectively as Run the Jewels, have partnered with cannabis companies Cookies and Lemonnade to provide their first branded cannabis strain, Ooh Lala.

Lume Cannabis Company in Michigan has partnered with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to open a new retail cannabis dispensary on tribal lands.

Plans for a cannabis-friendly campground in Michigan have been shut down by officials as a safety threat because the proposed space currently lacks “sanitary or potable water facilities.”

An update to Michigan’s cannabis industry regulations will no longer require operators in the space to maintain labor peace agreements, which are meant to protect the industry and its workers.

Michael Thompson was arrested for selling cannabis in 1994; he was given a de-facto life sentence in prison and now COVID-19 is poised to upgrade that to a death sentence unless Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer does the right thing.

Records show that adult-use cannabis sales in Michigan have reached at least $7 million per week over the last month; the industry has been deemed essential during the pandemic but in-person sales are prohibited.

Less than a month after allowing cannabis caregivers to transfer their supply to the adult-use market, Michigan regulators have backtracked on that decision and say they will not authorize any additional transfers.

While many states have chosen to let dispensaries stay open during the coronavirus crisis, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) has announced the shutdown of adult-use sales.

Under federal law, any consumer of cannabis cannot own or possess firearms; a recent ATF memo, however, seeks to strengthen those restrictions specifically against “habitual marijuana users.”

Medical cannabis caregivers in Michigan will lose the ability to transfer or sell products to licensed cannabis growers and/or processors on September 30.

Weedmaps is no longer allowing unlicensed Michigan cannabis businesses to list or advertise on its platform.

Michigan regulators have issued cannabis product delivery licenses to three different businesses.

Lab tests revealed high levels of vitamin e acetate in several Michigan market vape products, prompting a recall; the compound was linked by the CDC to a pulmonary injury illness that has sickened more than 2,400 and led to 52 deaths.

Michigan adult-use cannabis sales are set to begin this weekend on Sunday, December 1 — about 80% of the state’s municipalities, however, have passed local bans on industry operations.

Michigan regulators have declared a temporary ban on cannabis vaporizer products sold at dispensaries; officials also permanently banned the use of vitamin E acetate as a cutting agent in cannabis products.

Detroit has joined the 79% of Michigan municipalities to opt-out of the adult-use cannabis industry, in return forfeiting their share of the state’s 10% excise tax imposed on adult-use sales.

Michigan regulators will begin accepting business license applications starting this Friday, November 1st.