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SB 602

Marihuana: other; references to and regulation of industrial hemp under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act; amend. Amends secs. 3 & 8 of 2018 IL 1 (MCL 333.27953 & 333.27958). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0599'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 3 co-sponsors

SB 602 clarifies Michigan's industrial hemp definitions and regulations under cannabis law to improve regulatory consistency and prevent market circumvention between legal hemp and marihuana products.

referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform
#industrialhemp:other #marihuana:other
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 602

Legislative bill overview

SB 602 amends Michigan's Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to clarify and update how industrial hemp is defined and regulated under the state's cannabis framework. The bill modifies sections 3 and 8 of the 2018 law, likely addressing definitional inconsistencies or regulatory gaps that have emerged since legalization. It is tied to companion bill SB 599, suggesting coordinated legislative changes to the hemp regulatory structure.

Why is this important

Industrial hemp regulation directly affects farmers, processors, and businesses in Michigan's growing cannabis industry, as unclear definitions can create compliance challenges and market uncertainty. Clarifying hemp regulations also impacts federal-state coordination, since hemp remains federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill while marihuana remains federally prohibited. Proper regulation helps prevent illegal marihuana from being mislabeled as hemp, a known loophole in some states.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional precision: Changes to how hemp is distinguished from marihuana (typically based on THC content thresholds) could affect which products require licensing and which don't, potentially benefiting or burdening specific industry segments
  • Enforcement complexity: Stricter or broader regulatory oversight could increase compliance costs for small hemp growers and processors, or conversely, loose definitions might enable regulatory evasion
  • Federal alignment: If Michigan's definitions diverge from federal standards, businesses operating across state lines may face conflicting requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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