An agreement was reached this week that will allow medicinal marijuana dispensaries to continue their operations while they wait for a state license until December 31st.
Michigan has been trying to shut down these unlicensed dispensaries for months as they have been operating under temporary emergency rules as they wait for a license.
According to Andrew Brisbo, director of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, currently the number of unlicensed dispensaries are just under 100 compared to 200. There are 40 medical marijuana dispensaries that have received a state license.
“It’s been an elaborate process and the courts have said we can’t give licenses until everyone goes through the appeals process,” said Lansing City Attorney James Smiertka. “At least 25 percent of my staff has been devoted to medical marijuana.”