Things To Know About Open A Dispensary In Michigan.
After the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act took effect in 2008, a new industry has grown. The marijuana dispensary. This article discusses some of the ins and outs of this industry, including how to open a dispensary in michigan and run a medical cannabis dispensary. One thing that you cannot do is operate an illegal medical marijuana dispensary in Michigan. Just like any other legal business, strict regulations need to be met for it to be deemed compliant with law enforcement agencies and new state laws. As you can see from this article, even just one oversight could ruin your chances of ever receiving a medical marijuana card.
A quick overview of what is needed is given for an easier understanding of how to open a dispensary in Michigan. First, you will need to complete the requirements of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA). This includes filing an application with the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and paying a $250 application fee. You will also need to provide identification documents. Such as a government-issued photo ID confirming that you are 21 years old or older.
What Are The Requirement To Open A Dispensary In Michigan?
As of October 31, 2015, these are the current requirements you must meet to open a dispensary in michigan. You need to be at least 21 years old. You must have a criminal history background check done. Your application should contain a copy of your valid photo identification and a $250 fee payment. The application needs to be signed by all officers, directors, and shareholders. The application also needs to be notarized. The address where you will be conducting marijuana-related activity must closely match your primary place of business or residence.
Your cultivation center should not be within 25 miles of another one. Your dispensary should not be within 1,000 feet of a public elementary or secondary school. You must have a plan on how to transport your product securely. You need to submit photos of your proposed facility.
Steps To Open A Dispensary In Michigan
If you have decided to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Michigan, here are the steps that you will need to follow:
Step 1: Start A Business Plan:
Since opening a marijuana dispensary in Michigan is much like starting any other business. The first step is planning for it. It should be noted that this step can take a few weeks to more than a couple of months, depending on how busy you are and how much time it takes to gather the necessary assets for your operation. Your business plan will contain all the steps to open a dispensary in Michigan that you need to follow.
Step 2: Complete The Record-Keeping Requirements:
This is also sometimes called the “business plan” step. To receive a medical marijuana card, it is required that you keep track of all your activities related to medical marijuana sales, including taxes and administrative fees. As with any other business, you will be required to create a detailed log of all the details related to the details of your operation.
Step 3: Submit Your Application:
This is the last step in opening a dispensary in Michigan. Which means you will have to send your completed application and all other required documents to the state. Depending on how busy your business is, it can take up to a couple of months before you receive a response on whether your application has been approved or denied.
Step 4: Open Your Marihuana Business:
Once you receive approval from LARA, you can open your dispensary. Make sure everything from the plan you submitted in Step 2 has been implemented. This should be the final step of your long process to open a marijuana dispensary in Michigan.
Step 5: Wait For Your Dispensary License To Be Approved:
This is the last step in opening a medical marijuana dispensary. You will have to wait for your letter of approval from LARA. It can take up to a month or so before receive these documents.
Step 6: Congratulations
You Are Now Open For Business! Once you receive your approval letter, all you have left is to open up shop and sell medical marijuana.
What Does It Take To Open A Dispensary In Michigan?
As you can see from the six steps outlined above, open a dispensary in michigan is not an easy task. However, it is possible with the right information and tips from experts. Opening up your medical cannabis business has tons of benefits you can gain for yourself. It also comes with many challenges if you do not follow the proper procedures or disregard any rules and requirements. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hire a marijuana attorney to advise you on what needs to be done to ensure that your business will comply with the law both now and in the future.
Within the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan. While this creates more competition for your business. It also means that you will have more resources to help you prepare for opening a marijuana dispensary. In short, there is no way to guarantee that opening a medical cannabis business will be easy. However, it can be manageable with the right strategies and information at your disposal.
Conclusion
To open a medical marijuana dispensary in Michigan, you must carefully plan and prepare for the process. Enrolling in one of the many online courses offered by various organizations will greatly assist you with the latter part. What you should focus on is following all of the requirements that are outlined in this article. Making sure that your business complies with the laws and regulations put in place by the state will help you avoid any issues with opening your business.
While opening a medical marijuana dispensary can be quite challenging, it also comes with several benefits you can gain. Not only is it a great opportunity to make some extra money for yourself, but it is also a great way to help the people who need medical cannabis the most. Most importantly, if you are doing everything correctly, opening a marijuana dispensary in Michigan can be quite safe and profitable.
