Michigan businesses can now obtain a license to legally sell recreational marijuana

Marquette County — As of December 1, Michigan businesses are now legally allowed to sell recreational marijuana once they have obtained a license.

The major issue law enforcement are concerned with now is making sure that everyone stays safe on the roads.

Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt says that with drugged driving becoming an even bigger issue in the state than drunk driving, law enforcement are prepared to detect and deal with any incidents of impaired driving.

“The big thing we’re looking for is to make sure that people aren’t impaired while driving,” said Sheriff Zyburt. “Just within the last four to five years, there have been more drugged drivers than drunk drivers. But with the new law, we are more aware of it and we have special officers trained to look specifically for driving under the influence of drugs and now marijuana.”

Local marijuana facilities such as The Fire Station Provisioning Center in Negaunee are in the process of applying for the proper license before they can begin selling recreational marijuana. Customers will not be able to purchase recreational marijuana at The Fire Station for some time, but employees are excited to be able to offer recreational marijuana once they obtain their license.

Logan Stauber, one of the owners of The Fire Station Provisioning Center, also wants to remind customers to educate themselves and be safe.

“We’re encouraging everybody to get medical cards, because we have to make sure our medical patients are satisfied first,” said Stauber. “However, we are looking forward to the recreational sales. Within six months we’ll be in full swing, it’s just going to take some time. And we want to remind people to be safe too. There are a lot of people who don’t do homework on this and think that because it’s recreational there are no rules, but that’s not the case. So we’re just encouraging everybody to please do a little research before you start using products and finding out what might be right for you and what might not be.”

Stauber also says that once The Fire Station obtains their license, supply will be limited for some time due to the amount of stock they are able to shift from medicinal to recreational.