Michigan Judge Gives Two-Week Extension to Unlicensed Dispensaries

Unlicensed medical cannabis dispensaries in Michigan have been granted a two-week extension after a judge blocked another attempt by the state to shut them down, the Associated Press reports.

The restraining order signed by Court of Claims Judge Stephen Borello saves about 50 shops throughout the state that had been ordered to close by yesterday. Officials had previously set a Dec. 31 deadline for unlicensed dispensaries but that was also blocked by a judge. Borrello issued a similar injunction last September that saved nearly 100 dispensaries from state closure.

The case was brought against the state three days before the deadline by Detroit-based Green Genie who successfully argued that they were denied a license because the state erroneously recorded their tax payments, according to an MLive report. Five other dispensaries had joined Green Genie with lawsuits against the state. Borrello decided that all of the businesses would likely receive state licenses and would suffer harm by closing, along with the patients they serve. Green Genie serves about 20,000 patients.

In a statement to the Detroit Free Press, the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation said, “until further order of the court, BMR will maintain the status quo and not enforce the March 31 deadline with respect to both temporary operating facilities and caregiver products.”