A new agency to oversee Michigan’s marijuana laws was established Friday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The Governor signed an executive order to combine the duties of several departments - The Medical Marihuana Licensing Board, The Marihuana Advisory Panel, and Bureau of Marijuana Regulation - under one roof.
Tiffany Brown is a spokeswoman for the Governor.
“By signing this executive order the Governor is essentially reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency among varying authorities.”
The previous licensing board has been criticized for a backlog of applications and for being inconsistent in its approvals.
Donald Bailey is a retired state trooper and member of the licensing board. He said he thinks people are making a mistake by taking away the board.
“The impression is that the licensing board is the weak link in getting applications through. And, nothing could be further from the truth. We review everything that’s come before us. The process of application is the culprit here. ”
Bailey said he fears abolishing the medical marihuana licensing board will have a significant negative impact on public safety.
The order will take effect on April 30th if the legislature does not move to reject it.