Michigan unveils license instructions for $1.4B adult-use cannabis market

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Michigan regulators released detailed instructions on how businesses can apply for adult-use cannabis licenses beginning Nov. 1.

There are no statewide caps on licenses for a market expected to launch next year, but municipalities can restrict the number.

Marijuana Business Daily projects Michigan could generate $1.4 billion-$1.7 billion in annual sales within several years of the launch.

But the numbers may depend on how many municipalities opt-out.

Nearly 1,000 of the state’s 1,773 communities have at least for the time being decided to ban retail stores in their areas.

License types for those that don’t possess a medical marijuana operating license include:

  • Grower
  • Microbusiness
  • Social consumption establishment
  • Safety compliance facility
  • Marijuana event organizer
  • Temporary marijuana event

For those with an MMJ operating license, there are grower, processor, retailer and transporter licenses available.

Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency will use a two-step process:

  1. Prequalification
  2. “Establishment licensing” involving strict vetting

There is a $6,000 nonrefundable application fee for the main applicant, which is the entity or the individual seeking to hold the state license.

Social-equity applicants qualify for reduced fees.

Applicants seeking grower, processor or microbusiness licenses must pass a Bureau of Fire Services plan review.

For more details on the application process, click here.