Yep. We finally did it. The “we” here being, of course, the collective majority of Michigan voters.

On November 6th, voters passed Proposal 1 for marijuana legalization in Michigan to make it the first state to do this in the Midwest – even if we’re technically (and preferably) a Great Lakes state.

Whatever the case, November 7th was a happy day.

And if marijuana’s legalization wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, there were other wins for those seeking hope for, well, a future. It was all enough to make folks want to get out, light up and celebrate.

Not so fast.

Marijuana Legalization in Michigan Has Some Rules

Seriously!?

Well, come on. There have to be some regulations. We can at least assume they won’t be as complicated as those that birthed the convoluted landscape caregivers and patients have had to navigate with medical marijuana legalization. Of course, it doesn’t help that police, prosecutors and judges all seem to have their own unique interpretation of these regulations. But we won’t go into that.

Even if this transition is comparatively smooth, it’s important to understand that the legalization of recreational marijuana isn’t a free pass to toke at will.

Not to dash your dreams, but here are some of the basics of what you CANNOT do:

Be under 21

Well, technically, you can be under 21. Plenty of people are. You just can’t possess, use or sell marijuana legally if you’re under 21.

Use It in Public

Yep. Just like you can’t smoke at the library or tip back a cocktail in the dentist’s waiting room, you can’t consume or smoke marijuana in a public place.

And forget about using it at school. All schools are off limits. Yes, this includes federally funded colleges and universities.

Have a Massive Stash

You’re only allowed to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana (or up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrate) on your person.

You CAN have up to 10 ounces in your home. Which, when you think about it, is actually a pretty large stash. But anything more than that 2.5 ounces needs to be locked up.

Grow a Cannabis Forest

The magic number of marijuana plants you can grow in your home is 12. And you can share your product with your friends, but can’t sell it to them. Or other people.

Keep Your Marijuana Plants in Your Living Room Window

They’re not houseplants, people.

So you’re still going to need grow lights and a secure and restricted area to grow those plants. If anyone outside your home can see them, you could get in trouble.

Operate Machinery

Again, just like with alcohol, it is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana. Legal or otherwise. And driving also applies to snowmobiles, planes, boats, dune buggies, Shriner cars, ANYTHING.

Assume You Can’t Be Fired

If you’re acting like a stoned fool and not getting your work done, that’s grounds for getting fired. “But marijuana is legal, man,” is not a viable defense.

Have a Pot Party at Your Rental

As we said earlier, you may be wanting to celebrate this legalization victory. And if you’re in a rental, that might be allowed.

Just know though that your landlord does have the right to prohibit tenants from smoking marijuana on his or her property. Consuming it is another story…

Welcome to the 21st Century!

It’s been a long road to finally get to marijuana legalization in Michigan. But we made it. And just as there are rules in place for recreational use, there are also new rules set out for businesses.

If you’re running a cannabis business and feeling like the competition is going to get pretty fierce pretty quickly, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your marketing efforts now.

Let us help. We’re experts in the cannabis industry and we want to see you succeed.

,