Democratic lawmakers in Lansing want to keep Michigan’s medical marijuana dispensaries open while the shops wait for a license.
Pot shops have to close their doors by December 15th or risk not getting a license. A state department announced this rule earlier in the month.
Patients and dispensary owners decried the decision. They say cutting off a source of medication would be bad for patient’s health.
Justin Nichols is a military veteran who uses marijuana for pain and to help him sleep. He says the state department’s rule is a slap in the face to veterans.
“This is providing a massive benefit. I would say the biggest one was letting me get outside of myself.”
Democratic Representative Yousef Rabhi is a bill sponsor. He says the state department overreached.
“It can be a matter of life and death. So we can’t stand on the sidelines and let the government stand in the way of people getting safe access to care.”
Ida Chinonis’s daughter Bella has been a medical marijuana patient for two years.
“I thought that this was taken care of. I thought that we were done coming here and fighting for this. I don’t understand why we are still here. We need safe access. I cannot stockpile five different medications for over a year.”
A state board will start accepting applications for marijuana licenses on December 15th.