Though Michigan will probably be legalizing recreational weed this year, you’ll only be drinking marijuana-infused beer in your dreams. This week, a State Senator introduced legislation that would prohibit the sale of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer containing cannabis. Here’s a look at this latest restrictive marijuana law, and why safety is a major concern for this Senator.
The Advent of Weed Beer
For some, marijuana-infused beer is the answer to their prayers. For others, it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen. And cannabis beer has been making a lot of headlines. So far, THC-infused cannabis beer is only available in Colorado.
There are many smaller breweries making cannabis-infused beer, but the inventor of Blue Moon stole the spotlight. As we reported last March, famed MillerCoors brewmaster Keith Villa went off to found his own cannabis-infused beer company, Ceria. This Arvada, Colorado-based brewery is developing three non-alcoholic beers.
Ceria is marketing their products as craft cannabis beers. So far, they’re planning on releasing a Belgian wheat beer, an imperial IPA and a light lager.
Michigan Is Bracing Itself For Legalization
The fact that legislators are thinking about cannabis-infused beer tells us how close Michigan is to legalization. In late April, Michigan announced that the November ballot will include a question about recreational cannabis.
Not only did canvassers secure over 100,000 more signatures than necessary to add recreational cannabis to the ballot, but polls show that a majority of Michiganders support recreational marijuana.
Legislators are preparing for legalization and, in some cases, even speeding up the process. Republican lawmakers, eager to keep their majority in the Michigan Senate, may even legalize marijuana before the ballot initiative to discourage weed supporters (read: Democrats) from going to the polls.
Other lawmakers, like Senator Rick Jones of Grand Ledge, Michigan,