Staying on top of legal cannabis laws is no easy task. Ultimately, whether your interests lie in recreational or medical use, there’s always more to learn regarding new laws and guidelines heading into another year of legal cannabis.

Although the newly imposed regulations and changes to legal cannabis in Michigan have raised some concerns, the state continues to thrive. As the legal program exploded in 2021 due to the supply and distribution becoming more available and put together, the year-to-date numbers are totaling nearly $1.5 billion in legal marijuana sales. 

New End-of-Year Regulations and Changes for Marijuana Products

The new laws and regulations implemented in 2021 affect different sectors of the industry. However, even with some speculation, they haven’t distorted the overall face of legal cannabis in Michigan. So what’s new and what have these updates changed?

All Marijuana Products to Go Under MRA Regulation

Effective Monday, October 11, 2021, all THC products derived from the cannabis plant became covered by state law and regulated by the state’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA). All of the products—which were previously available for sale to individuals by businesses that cannot currently sell licensed marijuana products—will only be made available after appropriate approvals, testing, and new standards that aim to protect consumer safety.

To ensure this, the MRA needs to both confirm that these products are safe for consumption and make sure that the production processes are also safe. 

Changes in Marijuana Compound Law

Following these new October laws, products such as Delta-8, 10, and THC-O are prevented from being available through the regulated system until the potential implications on a consumer for those types of products have been fully evaluated. These products will no longer be available in convenience stores, gas stations, and tobacco/smoke shops throughout the state. 

Previously, Delta-8 and similar compounds were mostly unregulated and sold due to a loophole in their classification—the MRA stated that approved locations will be able to carry these products in the future. 

Regulations on Medical Marijuana Caregivers

Caregiver rights were also challenged in the state. They became the subject of legislation known as the Michigan Cannabis Safety Act, which would limit the amount of marijuana that caregivers could grow and distribute.

It would reduce the number of patients allowed per caregiver from five to one, beginning March 21, 2022. This would also limit the number of plants a caregiver could grow at one time from 60 to 12 plants while reducing the amount of harvested marijuana a caregiver could keep on hand from 15 ounces to 5.

The Current Status of Adult-Use Cannabis Law in Michigan 

Adult-use cannabis is 100% legal in Michigan. It is also important to keep in mind (while traveling across the state) that each municipality has the right to allow or restrict recreational cannabis sales. Individuals 21 and older consuming or with an MMJ card should know that:

• Despite marijuana legalization, it cannot be consumed anywhere you want. It should be done in your own residence away from the public. 
• Adult individuals can transport their legal possession limit in a motorized vehicle if their cannabis products are kept in a sealed container or stored in the trunk of the car.

• Private individuals and MMJ cardholders are authorized to grow up to 12 marijuana plants at their homes, abiding by Michigan growing laws. 
• The state supports reciprocity and serves out-of-state MMJ patients who arrive in Michigan. These cardholders can consume, possess, and purchase medical pot in local dispensaries.
• You can buy and legally carry 2.5 ounces of cannabis, 15 grams of concentrates and in addition, adults are allowed to keep up to 10 ounces within their houses.

Announcing the Grand Opening Weekend of Ounces: Feb 4-6, 2022!

The wait is finally over! Cannabis lovers and the canna-curious of Southern Michigan, Northern Indiana, and Northwestern Ohio — be sure to stop by and check out our amazing provisioning center facility in beautiful Sturgis, MI.

It’s been quite the journey, and we’re thrilled to offer the highest quality in legal cannabis wellness products to satisfy all of your natural self-care needs! Stay tuned to our social media channels (IG, FB, & Twitter) for all pertinent info about our Grand Opening Weekend proceedings. 

Our Ounces Family Can’t Wait to Meet You All!