Cannabis in Michigan

• Co-sponsored the SAFER Banking Act of 2023, which would ensure that all businesses – including State-sanctioned cannabis businesses – have access to deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services.
• Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• A spokesperson for Sen. Stabenow told VICE:  “It’s time to decriminalize medical and recreational marijuana. It’s also important to move forward thoughtfully and work closely with law enforcement, public health officials, business leaders and communities to ensure we get this right and avoid unintended consequences.” (2018)

• Co-sponsored the SAFER Banking Act of 2023, which would ensure that all businesses – including State-sanctioned cannabis businesses – have access to deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services.
• Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• Co-sponsored the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which would end cannabis prohibition at the Federal level, expunge federal cannabis convictions and reinvest in communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)

• Filed an amendment that would allow veterans to access medical cannabis through the VA system in states where it is legal and require the VA to research the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis for certain conditions. (2021)

• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)

• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level.  

• A spokesperson for Sen. Peters told VICE: “Michiganders have the right to decide this important issue, and Senator Peters supports the ballot initiative effort underway in the state to legalize marijuana for recreational use… Senator Peters believes this change will generate desperately needed tax revenue to support Michigan’s deteriorating schools and aging roads and bridges, and prevent people who use marijuana from ending up in the prison pipeline.” (2018)

• Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

• Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Sent a vague reply letter to a constituent who wrote him in support of ending cannabis prohibition. (2018)
• Told a 2016 American Family Association survey that he supports legalizing and regulating marijuana like alcohol and tobacco. (2016)

• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)

• Co-sponsored the Veterans Equal Access Act of 2023, which would authorize health care providers from the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in State marijuana programs.
• Co-sponsored the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act of 2023, which would allow veterans to use, possess and transport medical cannabis, and also to be able to discuss medical cannabis with a VA Doctor as authorized by a State or Indian Tribe.
• Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• Tweeted: “Great work in the House with the passage of the #MOREAct! Ending the federal ban on cannabis would: 

Give cannabis businesses safer banking. 

Provide opportunities for those convicted of cannabis related crimes. 

Begin correcting old criminal justice policy rooted in racism.” (2022)

• Her 2020 campaign website stated that she would: “Retroactively address injustices created by those still incarcerated for marijuana convictions.” (2020)
• The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association gave Scholten a grade of A+. (2020)

• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
• Co-sponsored The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level.  (2019)
• Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

• Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level.  (2019)
• Rep. Slotkins campaign website reads: “Michiganders will likely take up the question of legalizing recreational use of marijuana in November. I have listened to folks in the district — veterans, parents, the elderly, and law enforcement officers — to understand the range of views about this issue. I strongly believe that for this matter, voters should be able to decide. Too often the priorities of voters are discounted by legislators who claim they are voting in our name. Opening up marijuana for recreational use is a big decision for our state, and voters should have their voice heard. I have seen firsthand how medical marijuana can help people who are dealing with long-term chronic conditions. I support the use of medical marijuana, which was approved by Michigan voters in 2008. We must ensure the implementation process continues in a manner that is transparent and accessible for all folks in need.I also support the decriminalization of marijuana, a step that some of our communities have already pursued. Every dollar used to prosecute marijuana offenses is a law enforcement dollar that isn’t being used for more pressing issues. By removing marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, we can reduce the backlog of non-violent, marijuana-related incarcerations — and streamline our criminal justice system for the better. Like a lot of folks, I am reviewing the impact of the legalization of recreational marijuana on the local economy, public safety, and healthcare in states like Washington and Colorado, to understand if, on balance, it would be a net positive for our communities here in Michigan. I’m keeping an open mind, and welcome the opportunity to meet with groups on all sides of this issue to better inform my thinking.” (2018)

• Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
• Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
• Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a 5% tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level.  (2019)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Act of 2017, which would allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2017)
• Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
• Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
• Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

• Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Rep. McClain told the iVoterGuide she is neutral on the legalization of recreational marijuana. (2020)

• James is opposed to the legalization of marijuana.

• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level.  (2019)
• Rep. Stevens’ campaign website reads: “Another approach we must take to curb opioid addiction is decriminalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. Studies have shown that full, federal legalization of medical marijuana in particular could be an effective solution to combat opioid addiction. In addition to legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes, I support descheduling marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and pardoning and wiping the records of past offenders who were convicted of non-violent, marijuana-related crimes. We should begin taxing and regulating marijuana to fund important projects like our roads and our schools. (2018)

• Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
• Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
• Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
• Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
• Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
• Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a 5% tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2019)
• Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
• Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
• Cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act of 2019, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level, expunge federal cannabis convictions, reinvest in the communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition, and penalize states that continue to disproportionately arrest people of color and low-income individuals for cannabis-related crimes. (2019)
• Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level.  
• Quote: “We must end the federal prohibition on marijuana, but we have to do it right. Legalization requires releasing people convicted of marijuana-related offenses and expunging their records, otherwise we just perpetuate the racist War on Drugs.” (2018)
• Rep. Tlaib told Vote Smart that she supports the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes. (2018)

• Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
• Thanedar’s campaign website states: “The only thing the war on drugs has accomplished is mass incarceration. It has never stopped the flow of drugs in this country.  No one should be in prison for non-violent drug offenses. Addiction is a disease, people need care and treatment, not jail or prison.  Marijuana needs to be legalized federally, people currently incarcerated for marijuana must be released and marijuana convictions need to be expunged.” (2022)
• Discussing how to provide funding for infrastructure, education and fostering small business growth, Thanedar tweeted: “Funds will come from a number of different areas: moving the state to a progressive tax structure where corporations and the ultra-rich pay their fair share, legalizing marijuana, closing tax loopholes for corporations and possibly municipal bonds to name a few.” (2018)
• Outlining campaign policies, Thanedar stated that he “Supports legalization for adult recreational use” and that he would “use half of the projected $125 million in revenues from taxes on legalized marijuana for roads with the other half going to education.” (2018)
• Thanedar said: “I feel that that’s a personal freedom issue. As a scientist, I also know that marijuana has some medicinal benefits. (2018) 
• Thanedar said: “I’m fully supportive of that (legalizing marijuana). It would provide revenue for the state, which we could put into schools and roads. I think it should just be regulated like alcohol. We should have an appropriate age limit. There should be a level set like alcohol and once it’s passed, I want to expunge records of those who have been held for small possession charges, the non-violent offenders. I would find and I would use my power as the governor to pardon some of those and expunge their records so they would not be held back from healthcare, education, housing.” (2018)

• In a reply to President Biden’s cannabis policy announcement in October 2022, the office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s said: ”When it comes to marijuana, the people of Michigan have already taken action on this issue at the ballot box in 2008 and again in 2018. Earlier in the governor’s term, she signed bipartisan Clean Slate legislation to create a process for people convicted of  misdemeanors, including marijuana offenses, to apply for streamlined expungement. This law is one of the most expansive pieces of expungement legislation in the nation. It allows first time marijuana offenses to be expunged manually, and a process for automatic expungement for non-violent offenses will go into effect next April. We will continue to work with anyone who’s serious about solving problems and keeping our communities safe.” (2022)

• Governor Whitmer signed ‘Clean Slate’ legislation into law that automatically expunges the criminal records of those convicted of certain cannabis crimes, saying: “This is a historic day in Michigan. These bipartisan bills are a game-changer for people who are seeking opportunities for employment, housing, and more, and they will help ensure a clean slate for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. This is also an opportunity to grow our workforce and expand access to job training and education for so many people. I am proud to sign these bills today alongside Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist and many of the bipartisan leaders who worked on them.” (2020)

• Declared her intent to pursue an executive action or legislation to free inmates and expunge the records of people who have been convicted of cannabis-related crimes that are now legal in Michigan. (2019)

• Quote: “I think that the people of Michigan have said that for conduct that would now be legal, no one should bear a lifelong record for that conduct.” (2019)
• Tweeted: “I will be a ‘Yes’ vote on legalizing recreational marijuana. We have an opportunity to do this right. When we legalize marijuana, we need a governor who will tax it and regulate it so that we can #fixthedamnroads” (2018)