The recent news that medical marijuana businesses will be allowed to transfer product to the recreational side under certain conditions left Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Robin Schneider “absolutely concerned.”
Schneider said Thursday that businesses holding equivalent licenses on the medical and adult-use side with common ownership can transfer up to 50 percent of their product from medical to recreational, which was announced Wednesday, could keep medicine out of reach for patients.
“Patients spent six-plus years going to the Capitol and advocating for the right to safe access to medical marijuana,” she said. “As someone who was very involved in the process and the finance director for the (recreational) ballot initiative, never did I ever expect or want medicine that was grown for the patients under the MMFLA to be taken away from them in the middle of a supply shortage. I think we need to remember how we got here and that we are careful to protect the patients.”
When the Marijuana Regulatory Agency announced the allowable transfers, it noted some non-flower products – which is the most in-demand product – are available in abundance. Schneider agreed saying products like vape cartridges are not in short supply.
But products like flower and different oils used by cancer and seizure patients should be earmarked for patients. Even then, Schneider said, transferring products to the adult-use side could hike prices that are already high because of the shortage.
While the shortage is slowly getting better, Schneider said, the state is a long way from having enough product. She also said the biggest issue with the shortage is price.
“Patients just can’t afford it,” she said. “The more products we get in, the price will go down. Now we are talking about sharing the product.”
Schneider, who helped pass recreational marijuana in Michigan, said she feels “terrible this has happened, and I feel responsible.”
She said the Cannabis Industry Association will be encouraging its members to take it upon themselves to ensure patients have enough product available.
Under the policy announced Wednesday, provisioning centers transferring to retailers on the recreational side can transfer up to 50 percent of each product type, though it must have been in inventory for at least 30 days. Growers may transfer up to 50 percent of their harvest batch and processors may transfer up to 50 percent of their finished product. All product being transferred must pass testing requirements.
Particularly for provisioning centers and retailers, Schneider said businesses could have a product in inventory for 30 days but keep it off the shelves until it can be sold on the recreational side.
David Harns, spokesperson for the Marijuana Regulatory Agency, said in a statement the agency wanted to ensure patients would maintain access to their medicine. He said the product transfers will be “a slow, measured rollout,” as there are currently 337 licensed businesses on the medical side and the agency expects around a dozen or so recreational licenses to qualify for the program by December 1.
He added by allowing only 50 percent of product that has been in inventory for at least 30 days, businesses will be able to move product that patients have not bought to the adult-use market.
“It is clear that there is demand in Michigan for tested products – specifically the non-flower products that are currently in abundance on the medical side – and we wanted to provide a mechanism for businesses to provide marijuana products where the demand exists,” Mr. Harns said. “Doing so will limit the appeal of the illicit-market by providing regulated and tested marijuana products to adults in Michigan.”
This story was published by Gongwer News Service.
