Attorney general forms marijuana legal workgroup

Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday announced the creation of a marijuana legal workgroup to be housed within the Department of Attorney General. The workgroup, chaired by Nessel, will meet on a regular basis to review, analyze, discuss, and opine on laws and regulations concerning the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana in the State of Michigan.

Comprised of a diverse group of persons with different backgrounds and experience including some stakeholders in marijuana law and regulation, the group will make recommendations to the State Legislature, law enforcement, the judiciary, prosecutors, defense attorneys, the Department of Licensing and Regulation (LARA), and others. The workgroup’s goal is to ensure that the laws approved by voters in two separate ballot proposals and subsequent regulations, are clarified and improved when necessary to ensure that marijuana law in Michigan is implemented fairly, equally, and appropriately.

“We are working hard now to avoid the years of lawsuits, appeals and uncertainty that followed the enactment of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act in 2008,” said Nessel. “With new laws and regulations on the books, particularly concerning recreational marijuana, I am confident this diverse group collectively has the knowledge, experience, and thus credibility to make recommendations that will be accepted and implemented by all involved.”

Nessel selected the following individuals to serve on the workgroup:

• Robert Baldori, attorney;

• Paul Bernier, city attorney of Livonia;

• Andrew Brisbo, director, Bureau of Marijuana Regulation;

• Margeaux Bruner, M.S., CSM; political director, Michigan Cannabis Industry Association; member, Impaired Driving Safety Commission;

• Robyn B. Frankel, assistant attorney general;

• James R. Giddings, former circuit judge, 30th Judicial Circuit Court;

• Daniel W. Grow, member, State Bar of Michigan Marijuana Law Section;

• D/F/Lt. Chris Hawkins, Michigan State Police, Marijuana and Tobacco Investigation Section;

• Robert A. Hendricks, chairperson, State Bar of Michigan Marijuana Law Section;

• Dale (DJ) Hilson, president of Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and Muskegon County prosecutor;

• Barton W. Morris, Jr., attorney;

• John S. Pallas, assistant attorney general;

• Jonathan Sacks, director, State Appellate Defender Office;

• Adam Sandoval, Legal Division director, Bureau of Marijuana Regulation;

• Kenneth Stecker, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, traffic safety resource prosecutor.

The workgroup held its first monthly meeting in April.

––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available