Another state has legalized marijuana. Sales begin Dec. 1.

Today 9:15 AM
By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Nov. 20, NJ Cannabis Insider hosts a networking event in Atlantic City, featuring lawmakers and business leaders in the medical marijuana and legal cannabis industries. Tickets are limited.

Michigan adults 21 and older will be able to buy marijuana starting Dec. 1, the state Marijuana Regulatory Agency announced on Wednesday.

Michigan is one of 11 states and the District of Columbia which have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. The other states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Michigan’s medical marijuana dispensaries will be permitted to sell up to 50 percent of cannabis products on the recreational market if they are at least 30 days old, according to a bulletin from the state regulatory agency.

“This approach will allow for a transition to the adult use market as we estimate that there will be around a dozen or so licensees who would be eligible on Dec. 1,” Marijuana Regulatory Agency spokesman David Harns told MLive Wednesday.

“Similar to the medical market, we expect it be a slow build-out as the production of plants and products increases. This will create an environment where businesses can supply the market as quickly as possible," Harns said.

Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, won election in 2017 on the promise he would legalize marijuana. But reluctance in the Democratically controlled Senate has delayed the passage of a legalization bill, as recently as May.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester recently told NJ Advance Media he would try again to sway his members during the so-called “lame duck” period between November and January, before the next Legislative sessions begins.

Illinois is the next state to permit the legal sale and possession of marijuana, beginning Jan. 1.

https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2019/11...gin-dec-1.html