Michigan’s apparatus for regulating the marijuana business is expected to become more streamlined and efficient as a new agency gets underway.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency was created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April, and held its first public meeting Thursday. MLive says that at the meeting, it was stated that since its creation the MRA has approved twice as many medical marijuana operating licenses as the old framework did in the last seven months. Part of what’s helped that is a change to what’s required from applicants, designed to drastically reduce the amount of paperwork that’s needed.

The MRA is also looking forward to the recreational marijuana industry; later this month, they’re planning to issue a list of emergency rules, and to start accepting business applications in October. Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved recreational pot in November 2018, in a ballot referendum.

Right now, adults in Michigan are allowed to possess and smoke weed, but there’s no way to legally purchase it.

More From 1240 WJIM AM