Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency now official
Our friends at the Michigan Marijuana Report share that the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) is now the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) with authority over Michigan’s hemp processors and handlers also shifting to the new CRA:
On February 11, 2022, Governor Whitmer signed the ERO assigning the regulation of processing, distributing, and selling hemp to the newly formed CRA.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will continue to oversee hemp cultivation in the state. At this time, the CRA has no plans to make changes materially affecting the operations of hemp processors and will pro-actively communicate with licensees if that were to change.
“This administrative change will help Michigan continue to lead the country in its approach to cannabis by growing the hemp and marijuana economies, creating jobs, and investing in local communities,” said CRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo. “The new CRA will pick up where the MRA left off – continuing to establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe consumer access to cannabis.”
There is extensive crossover between the hemp and marijuana industries, specifically in the arena of cannabinoids. Hemp-derived ingredients are being added to marijuana-infused products. Hemp products are being produced and sold in the same facilities already licensed by the CRA. The Agency currently has authority to regulate the production, safety testing, labeling, and sale of psychoactive cannabis products, so the transition of authority allows for better regulation of the ever-evolving cannabis industry.
Read more at the Michigan Marijuana Report.
photo credit: Cannabis Grow by The CBD
