While there has been no empirical evidence of current research & development underway along the Makers Trail for a marijuana-infused beer, wine or other alcoholic spirit, the Michigan Senate preemptively moved today in an attempt to stave off any such notion in the Great Lakes State, and State Senator John Proos helped lead the charge.
Proos voted earlier today for legislation to preemptively prohibit marijuana-infused beer, wine and spirits in Michigan now or in the future.
Currently, nine states and the District of Columbia permit the recreational use of marijuana, and Michigan is one of 29 states where the medical use of marijuana is permitted. Additionally, a new ballot proposal seeks to have voters legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Michigan this fall.
Proos points out that, “Many states that now allow the recreational use of marijuana, such as Colorado and California, have seen the introduction of marijuana-infused alcohol products in recent years.”
The St. Joe Republican Legislator says Senate Bill 969 would ban the use, possession or sale of marijuana-infused beer, wine, mixed wine drink, spirit drink, or spirits in Michigan.
He contends, “At a time when drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people every year, allowing alcohol with marijuana in it would be dangerous and irresponsible,” and adds, “This is especially true when you consider the fact that marijuana-infused foods can take an hour to kick in — making it even harder for consumers or their friends to know when they are impaired.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,497 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016, an average of one death every 50 minutes.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination and reaction time. Marijuana is also the illicit drug most frequently found in the blood of drivers who have been involved in vehicle crashes, including fatal ones.
Following passage today in the Michigan Senate, the bill now heads to the House of Representatives for their consideration. Stay tuned.
