Michigan opened its recreational cannabis application window this past Friday. While pre-existing medical licensees have been pre-approved by the state and need only wait for approval from local municipalities, first-time applicants will be going through the state and local approval process. Michigan officials, acknowledging this process, anticipate adult-use sales starting in March or April of 2020.

So what license categories for adult-use cannabis is Michigan offering? Well, for folks without a pre-existing medical cannabis license, there are six options. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Class A grow: Think small. 100 or fewer plants and the capability to sell to retailers or processors, but one cannot process or sell directly to consumers.
• Marijuana Microbusiness: This one allows up to 150 plants to be cultivated, processed and sold to the 21+ crowd. You have to be a Michigan resident and cannot have any stakes in other cannabis businesses.
• Designated consumption establishment: Similar to West Hollywood’s consumption lounge allowance, Michigan towns and municipalities can decide to allow consumption in venues. This is the license you need if you want to allow consumption.
• Marijuana event organizer: Want to host cannabis competitions or conferences? Apply for this license.
• Temporary marijuana event: You need to also have the above marijuana event organizer licenses, but these two in tandem will allow you to host events permitting on-site sale and usage for one day up to one week.
• Testing facility: Good ol’ reliable testing facility licenses. Every state government requires testing and you’ve gotta be licensed and certified to do so.

And there you have it. Lots of options to choose from. As always, if you’re considering a career shift into cannabis think about your strengths and how they would apply to the industry. Have questions on licensing and applications in Michigan? Connect with MMLG today.