Rep. Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) bill expanding the minimum age for cannabis industry employees from 21 to 19 heard testimony before Tuesday’s House Regulatory Reform Committee.
Currently, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act allows individuals 21 years of age or older to acquire, possess, transport, or consume cannabis, including a cannabis grower, processor, transporter, retailer, or microbusiness.
Robin Schneider, executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, said when the state Legislature passed the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act in 2016, the age for employment was set to 18.
However, when Michigan legalized cannabis, the ages for both consumption and employment were set at 21. Schneider said that now when a medical facility adds a recreational license, they’re forced to fire employees between the ages of 18 and 21. HB 4322, introduced on March 22, lowers that threshold to allow a person 19 years of age or older to manufacture, purchase, distribute, and sell cannabis accessories if the person is acting on behalf of a cannabis establishment. The bill also allows 19-year-olds to volunteer at cannabis establishments and changes reference to the Marijuana Regulatory Agency to refer instead to the Cannabis Regulatory Agency.
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