In a little more than two weeks, Michigan will formally join the list of states where an adult can legally buy marijuana for recreational purposes.
But most Michigan cities and towns are saying “no” to the retail market.
Michigan voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana use by a wide margin 12 months ago.
However, during the past year, roughly 80% of communities around the state have opted out of the retail market. This week Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, joined that list.
Some local leaders simply don’t want legal pot shops in their communities. Others just want to wait and see how the rollout goes.
That will likely mean communities like Ann Arbor, which have opted in, will see big demand when licensed recreational businesses open their doors.
This week, state regulators invoked a provision of the law allowing some existing growers, processors and dispensaries with recreational licenses to transfer up to 50% of products originally earmarked for the medical marijuana market to be shifted to the recreational market starting December 1.
There are concerns that will make an existing medical marijuana shortage even worse.
