Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Laws: The Green behind the Scene

 Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Laws: The Green behind the Scene

While dealing with a 15 percent unemployment rate, the state of Michigan may find some extra relief in the legalization of medical marijuana.  Medical marijuana may not only provide help to people in Michigan who suffer from glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, and other forms of cancer, it may also get the economy high.  They gray areas that exist after the 2008 passage of medical marijuana in Michigan all stem from the regulation of the new economy which has been growing as quickly as a marijuana plant.

The new economical thrust has not only been from growers.  There has been a market created for shops, known as Compassionate Care facilities.  There has also been a market for the sell of hydroponic equipment.  Hydroponic equipment is the equipment that is necessary to properly grow medical marijuana.  There is also revenue created from classes that teach individuals how to properly grow marijuana and how to adhere to the complexities of the Michigan Marijuana law, assuming that anyone knows that well enough to teach it. 

This new economy boasts a starting income that can hover around $40,000 yearly, and for the most creative venture, it may cap off well above $150,000 per annum.  This is no small piece of change.  Most shops now sell, to medical marijuana card holders in Michigan, an ounce of medical marijuana for anywhere between $300.00 and $400.00.  Compassionate care shops have clientele lists between 800 and 1500 regular customers.  These regular customers are consistent shoppers that will be the stabilizing forces to the new Michigan Marijuana Economy.

It is not a far reach to assume that the next step beyond clearing up the gray areas of the Michigan marijuana law would be the complete legalization of marijuana.  California is slated to vote on such a measure on November 2, 2010.  In respect to the legalization efforts of the United States, California has led the way.  California was the first state, within the United States, to pass a medical marijuana law in 1996.  Over the next decade or so, 14 other states would follow California’s lead and ratify similar measures.  I think it is safe to say that California will once again be the model for change.


Truth be told, the failing Michigan state economy definitely could benefit from any boost it can get after the monumental collapse of its, normally reliable, automotive industry. Government stimulus money and bail outs are not believed by most economists to be a long term solution. The state needs to invest in looking for any other viable outlet to stimulate economic growth. In 2008, the Medical Marijuana Bill passed with a gaping 63% of the vote. The new legislation has created job opportunities for landscapers, the previously unemployed, equipment manufacturers, doctors, accountants, lawyers and many other entrepreneurs and individuals that are willing to creatively interpret the semantics of the new law. The once popular yet underground plant/drug is now the foundation of a new sprouting business statewide.