Ever since Michigan passed the medical marijuana act back in 2008, any lawyer truly in the loop of the new law would advice clients that pot dispensaries are illegal. Different county prosecutors handled the new and innovative law in different ways.

The medical marijuana law in Michigan was based on the model adopted in other states and features a small grow operation through limits on the number of plants that can legally be produced. This law, as enacted, however, does not provide for the sale of marijuana or for any large scale operation whatsoever.

This did not stop pot farmers from progressing into massive grow operations. Likewise, dispensary owners openly displayed their wares in stripmall storefronts, mistakenly believing they had cover under the new law.

In some counties, there appeared to be an "out-of-sight-out-of-mind" approach, while other county sheriffs raided and broke-up dispensaries and grow operations. Oakland County has taken a more hands-on approach, raiding dispensaries and recommending prosecution for the operators.

Last September, the Michigan legislature blew the lid off with a new series of laws that creates a complex licensing scheme to grow, test, transport and distribute medical marijuana. The state begins taking applications for those licenses in December.

Until then, the Oakland County Sheriff has warned many of the operating dispensaries to close down or risk raids, seizure and prosecution. Notices have been posted on the doors of many of the most infamous and the largest of the dispensaries and grow operations.

When the licensing takes effect, those that successfully apply for and are granted a license or licenses, will be in the good graces of the law; those that do not have licenses will be illegal and an easy mark for prosecution.

Currently, those that have the expertise to grow a quality product are gearing up to obtain a grow license, while other entrepreneurs will apply for the dispensary license. Get ready for the state regulations to follow; this is going to be a heavily regulated industry to be sure.

At present, there is a small window of opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a booming industry. This opportunity is unique as marijuana is decriminalized throughout the country.

If you have an interest in obtaining a Michigan grow license or a dispensary license, contact our law firm to discuss your options. We offer a free initial consultation.

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