The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has once again changed the deadline for dispensaries to have a license or be shut down.
The state has moved up the date that dispensaries will be required to have a license or be shut down to October 31st.
Before that announcement, dispensaries that were progressing towards licensure had until December 15th.
Denise Pollicella is an attorney with Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan. She said it feels like the state is being adversarial with marijuana dispensaries.
“I really hope that the state gets to the point where they are simply treating these like businesses and are being facilitative and regulatory and administrative like they do with other businesses.”
Pollicella said the change is not the end for dispensaries.
“They are not shutting down the licensing process after October 31st. You can still get a license. You just can’t be open.”
In a written statement a spokesperson for the state licensing department said quote “the new rules will ensure continued access for medical marijuana patients while maintaining the integrity of the marijuana facilities licensing process.”
They added it’s not clear how many facilities may have to close shop after the October 31st deadline.