LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) —  Six years after Michigan legalized recreational marijuana, lawmakers say the state’s cannabis market has grown too fast for its own good.

Too many operators.

Now, Senate Democrats are pushing license caps and a freeze on large grow operations to balance the state’s marijuana supply.

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“We know the industry is struggling with too many operators,” Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who chairs the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee, said. “These proposals are meant to stabilize it.”

Limited licenses.

Under the plan from Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), municipalities could have one marijuana retail license for every 10,000 residents. Small towns would be limited to one total license. After 2026, the state could no longer issue new large grow licenses, only small “Class A” ones for up to 100 plants.

In addition, Singh likened the proposal to Michigan’s liquor-license system. That ties permits to population size and allows them to be sold or transferred between businesses. However, opponents contend the policy would consolidate power among large companies at the expense of smaller growers. 

“The legislation benefits the big guys while the little guys are seemingly just stomped on,” Steve Wagner, co-owner of Alien Tek Farms in Vassar, told The Detroit News.

What’s next?

Any major licensing overhaul would require a three-fourths vote in both chambers to amend the 2018 voter-approved legalization law.