The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, or LARA, has announced that effective Monday, all THC products derived from the cannabis plant will be covered by state law and regulated by Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA).
LARA states that these products, which were previously available for sale to people of all ages by businesses that can’t currently sell licensed marijuana products, will only be made available after appropriate approvals, testing, and commercial standards that protect consumer safety in the legal marijuana marketplace.
According to LARA, in order to ensure public health and safety, the MRA needs to confirm that the products are safe for consumption and make sure that the production processes are safe. They say the products will no longer be available in convenience stores, gas stations, or tobacco/smoke shops throughout Michigan.
Additionally, all intoxicating substances will be reviewed and analyzed to determine if they need to be safety-tested through the MRA’s statewide monitoring system and tracked through the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. This includes delta-8 THC and THC-O-acetate.
“Michigan’s approach to cannabis is a model for the nation in regard to protecting its residents and making sure that those who consume these products do so in a safe manner,” said MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo. “Moving forward, these intoxicating products will be removed from the unregulated marketplace and placed in a well-regulated and licensed system, restricted to adults, and monitored for safety.”
Beginning Monday, it is illegal for businesses to manufacture, possess, transfer, inventory, sell or give away delta-8 THC or THC-O-acetate without proper licensing and approval from the MRA.
Additionally, the following goes into effect on Monday:
- Licensees are officially prohibited from selling or transferring marijuana to a minor or to a person who is visibly intoxicated at the time of the sale. Individuals who suffer damage or are personally injured by a minor or a visibly intoxicated person are now permitted to take action against the licensee who sold or transferred the marijuana.
- Marijuana retailers and marijuana microbusiness licensees are required to have and maintain marijuana liability insurance. The insurance must be provided by a licensed and admitted insurance company in Michigan in a minimum amount of $50,000. Marijuana retailer and marijuana microbusiness licensees authorized to sell marijuana at a temporary marijuana event must also obtain marijuana liability insurance, which covers sales or transfers of marijuana that will occur at the temporary marijuana event. Failure to hold and maintain the required marijuana liability insurance or provide it to the MRA in a timely fashion, may result in disciplinary action against the licensee. Full details are available in the Marijuana Liability Insurance MRA bulletin published on August 27, 2021.
- Telemedicine is now allowed for Michigan residents participating in the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program, a state registry program that administers the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act as approved by Michigan voters on November 4, 2008.
- Adult-use applicants should visit the MRA website and utilize the most up-to-date application forms.
For more information about delta-8 THC, click here.
