Step one (prequalification) is expected to take
significantly longer than step two, simply because
of the complexity of running background checks and
going through the financials of each applicant to make
sure they meet the capital ization requirements. While
it’s hard to say how quickly the licenses will be issued,
a few months for each applicant is a good estimate.
BMMR admits that the application is lengthy and
complex, and the investigation is thorough and can be
daunting for the individuals going through it. In fact, it’s
proven difficult for applicants to submit everything
needed all at once. BMMR advises applicants to simply
submit the application to the best of their ability.
After that is done, analysts in BMMR will work with
the applicant to fill the gaps and make sure everything
is right. An incomplete application—or an application
with errors—will not be a detriment to the applicant.
In fact, BMMR recommends that applicants submit
their application as soon as they can so that the
bureau employees can reach out to help and/or send a
request notice for additional information. The reality
is that it’s almost impossible to get everything exactly
right the first time, as every application is unique. It is
easy to get overwhelmed, but BMMR’s goal is to help
applicants through the process towards qualification,
not to actively disqualify people. BMMR requests
that applicants make a good-faith effort to submit
everything correctly and realize that BMMR staff is
prepared and trained to help make sure everything
will be correct. The bureau wants to help you, not hurt
you.
Most applicants for facility operator licenses are
submitting their prequalification applications and
then waiting to hear back before submitting the
local license portion of their application. While the
application is two parts, it is important to note that
both can be done at the same time—this would speed
up the approval process for the applicant. BMMR says
that the application process is still evolving and—with
so much data coming in—it’s still very much a learning
process for everyone involved. There are expected to
be changes as the process moves forward.
WITH THE quickly expanding implementation of
medical marihuana in Michigan comes the need for
licensure, regulation, and safety for everyone involved.
With that in mind, the Bureau of Medical Marihuana
Regulation has set forth licensure requirements to
make sure businesses have their ducks in a row before
beginning sales.
The application process for businesses to receive
licenses under the Medical Marihuana Facilities
Licensing Act is run through the Bureau of Medical
Marihuana Regulation (BMMR). BMMR is accepting
applications for five types of facilities: growers,
processors, provisioning centers, secure transporters,
and safety compliance facilities. Through these licensed
facilities, the medical marihuana industry is monitored
from seed (cultivation) to sale (retail) to patients.
The operator license application can be done in
two steps. The first step is a prequalification that
includes background checks of both the entity and any
associated individuals. The second step occurs once
the applicant has local approval for the facility that the
business intends to operate.
BMMR started taking applications in December.
While the start was slower than expected, the
pace has picked up as of late. February 15 was the
deadline for existing establishments to submit their
applications to continue their temporary operation
with local authorization. So far, BMMR has received
331 prequalification applications, and each has paid the
$6,000 nonrefundable application fee to the state.
BMMR intends to present several prequalification
applications to the Medical Marihuana Licensing
Board at its March meeting. The actual issuance of
the first licenses will depend largely on how quickly
step two is completed; this will depend on facility
readiness, inspections, and local authorization.
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
WWW.MICHIGAN.GOV/MEDICALMARIHUANA
The Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation uses the
spelling “marihuana” in lieu of “marijuana” to correspond
with the statutory spelling in Michigan law.
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