Are you interested in starting a cannabis business in Michigan? The cannabis consultants at New Leaf can help you navigate the process!
This summary of Michigan requirements and license application process outlines what it takes to win a marijuana business license. Get started today to meet the demands of consumers! Schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable cannabis consultants in Michigan.
Michigan Cannabis Consulting & License Application Writing Experts
New Leaf Cannabis Consulting is the #1 Top Rated Cannabis Application Writing, Consulting, and Capital Fundraising one-stop-shop in the U.S. We offer a complete range of services from business model formation and planning, to state licensure, to raising capital and finding investors for the business.
New Leaf has worked with over 180 clients in over 16 different states since we opened our doors in 2015. Our success rate is well over 95% across the board. We offer more services than any of our competition.
If you need cash for your cannabis startup, and/or state and municipal license approval for a completely reasonable price, look no further than New Leaf Cannabis Consulting.
Cannabis Market Condition Overview
Business Climate and Timeline
- Michigan was the first state in the Midwest to legalize recreational marijuana. The the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act was passed in 2018, legalizing recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21.
- Michigan law specifies that any use of cannabis must take place in private, such as the user’s own residence. It is illegal to carry cannabis in areas frequented by children, such as schools or parks. Some areas in Michigan fall under federal jurisdiction. It is illegal to possess or use cannabis in places like airports or government buildings.
Real Estate & Zoning
In most states, you will need to lock down the location for business operations in the form of either a lease, lease with option to purchase, or a purchase agreement.
Most importantly, during the real estate acquisition process, your company MUST make sure that the actual location COMPLETELY adheres to state and municipal regulations regarding distance restrictions from other businesses such as a daycare or school. An example of this would be Dispensary/Retail. Most times you will not be able to locate your dispensary in a section of the city which is not zoned specifically for retail. Your dispensary location cannot be located anywhere else. Check with the Cannabis Regulatory Agency for locality resolutions and ordinances.
Usually the next step is Municipal/City/Township Approval. Nine times out of ten, these steps will need to take place before the full license application can be completed and submitted.
Laws and Regulations
As you get started, read up on Michigan’s laws, rules, and regulations. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) — formerly the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) — regulates Michigan’s adult-use marijuana establishments and licensees in accordance with the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA). The CRA aims to “establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe consumer access to cannabis.”
Licensing. The CRA issues licenses to cannabis producers, microbusiness producers, integrated microbusinesses, manufacturers, retailers, consumption areas, vertically integrated establishments, couriers, and testing and research laboratories.
Compliance. Applicants for a Michigan dispensary license, growers license, processor license, secure transporter license, safety compliance facility or lab testing facility license must adhere to the revised House Bill 4209.
All transactions, current inventory, and other information must be enter into the statewide monitoring system. Michigan House Bill 4827 authorizes LARA to provide a web-based monitoring system for tracking, inventory checking and verifying cannabis products. This system is the Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance (Metrc).
Additionally, when applying for a license you must have been Michigan resident for more than two years.