Marijuana Provisioning Centers and Industrial Hemp progress for 2015 in the 2014 Lame Duck Session.

By Richard C. Clement


"Will the Weed truly be Freed?"  -
A Detroit Resident with a vision at the Northwest Activities Center

The possible adoption into law of House Bills 4271, 5104, 5439, and 5440 will create green jobs in the State of Michigan with Medical Marijuana and Industrial Hemp. House Bills 4271 and 5104 to authorize Provisioning Centers and Safe Testing Facilities for Medical Marijuana in the State of Michigan will create jobs and revenue for cash starved cities.  These bills have sparked an effort by the Detroit City Council led by Council member James Tate, Detroit Legislative Policy Division and, Building Safety and Engineering to develop a city ordinance to address the growth and management of these places of business.   

We are hoping that fees are reasonable for these licenses and that people are safe in these places of business.  Just like any other business, code compliance with the Detroit Fire Marshall regarding exits and extinguishers are a must.  For places that have growing operations the city wants the electricity to be code compliant, meaning that there will be opportunities for electricians to keep places safe from burning down because of an electrical fire.

Concerns for law enforcement are a valid government id and keeping the peace therefore, the long delayed picture on the Medical Marijuana card must be addressed in Lansing. People who have Facebook and Twitter accounts and; have a Michigan Drivers License cannot use the excuse that a picture on a card gives Government too much information.

Saying No to Jim and Jane Crow!

We also would appreciate that opportunities will be diverse and include people of all racial, ethnic, gender, and other backgrounds to have an equal chance to participate in the business end instead of being a statistic in the legal system. 

Educational Opportunities: 

Schools that participate in agriculture education would be encouraged to thrive in Michigan. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are skills that can be developed by investing in growing and manufacturing projects.

Grow in Detroit!

House Bills 5439 and 5440 will authorize agriculture resources to grow and manufacture products from Industrial Hemp which is the male cannabis plant. The male plant is a non-intoxicant version of the Marijuana plant. Michigan farmers and agriculture concerns will be able to grow this plant for products like paper, fuel, auto body parts and many other things. When prosperity from green jobs takes effect, it will be because of people like Everett Swift of the Michigan Industrial Hemp Education and Marketing Project, www.mihemp.org, and Stephen Sharpe, esteemed board member of the Michigan Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws www.minorml.org. These two men are responsible for working with Michigan’s agricultural community to make Industrial Hemp use a reality in Michigan.

In order to get these bills enacted we must pass our differences across party lines. From now until next Friday, you must call and email bomb the Michigan Legislature at www.house.mi.gov about passing these bills to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature into law. 

In your email please copy and paste this line into the Subject of your email:

HB4271, 5104, 5439, 5440 (Support)

Send your concerns about the situation, then Fire up a Republican in Lansing by phone 

Contact information Republican Representatives --House  

John Bumstead (R-Newaygo)                 517-373-7317

Hugh D Crawford(R-Novi)                     517-373-0827

Anthony G. Forlini (R-Harrison Twp.)           517-373-0113

Frank Foster (R-Pellston)                     517-373-2629

Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck)                 517-373-0836

Ken Goike (R-Ray Township)                 517-373-0820

Gail Haines (R-Waterford)                     517-373-0615

Martin Howrylak (R-Troy)                     517-373-1783

Bradford C. Jacobsen (R-Oxford)                 517-373-1798

Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Twp.)                 517-373-1799

Matt Lori (R-Constantine)                     517-373-0832

Michael D. McCready (R-Birmingham)            517-373-8670

Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills)            517-373-1773

Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City)                517-373-0835

Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs)                517-373-1796

Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle)                517-373-0833

Amanda Price (R-Holland)                517-373-0838

Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville)                517-373-1403

Bruce R. Rendon (R-Lake City)                517-373-3817

Wayne A. Schmidt (R-Traverse City)            517-373-1766

Robert Verheulen (R-Walker)                517-373-8900

Ken Yonker (R-Caledonia)                    517-373-0840

Time is of the essence!