The new medical marijuana business program in Michigan accepted a staggering 173 applications in a single day, according to the Director of Michigan’s Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation (BMMR).
Director Andrew Brisbo was a guest on Jazz Cabbage Cafe, a weekly talk radio show about cannabis issues of importance to Michigan and the world. Hosted by Jamie Lowell and Rick Thompson, the program airs weekly at 4pm on Tuesdays via the Cave Radio platform (www.crbradio.com).
BMMR began accepting applications for marijuana-related businesses on December 15, 2017. On February 15, 2018 a crucial application deadline passed for centers transitioning from the existing grey market to the new regulated marijuana cultivation and distribution market. Director Brisbo’s interview took place on Feb. 20.
“We did get 173 of those pre-qualification apps on (February) 15,” Brisbo said, adding that they were likely from “already operating” businesses trying to “beat the deadline” and continue operating legally.
Applications for the new medical marijuana business program must be in one of five named industries and involves two steps: approving the people (pre-qualification) and approving the business. To approve the business, applicants must obtain an authorizing letter from their city or township clerk known as an Attestation E letter.
“Most of the applications we have received to this point are for the pre-qualification step. We have 327 of those submitted and paid for,” Brisbo revealed. “We received quite a few more without fee payments but those wouldn’t be necessarily considered complete on our end until the payment has been received.”
Of completed applications, the Director said, “For the growers A, B and C we have 12, 3 and 36 respectively, 27 processors, 57 provisioning centers, 4 safety compliance facilities and still no secure transporters.”
An approved Class A grower can cultivate up to 500 plants; a Class B grower,
