LANSING — The state House today gave final approval to a package of bills — years in the making — to license, tax and regulate the cultivation, processing, transport, testing and sale of various forms of medical marijuana, which state voters legalized in a 2008 referendum but it has often been purchased and used in a regulatory vacuum and state of confusion.
The House signed off Wednesday on changes the Senate made last week to three of the five bills, meaning the entire package is on its way to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who is expected to sign them.
Some advocates for medical marijuana patients are cheering the legislation, but others said the new requirements go too far and could significantly drive up prices.
About 210,000 Michigan residents are authorized to grow, purchase or use medical marijuana for a variety of ailments, including cancer, AIDS, control of seizures, and severe and chronic pain.
