Michigan Regulators Propose Livestream Requirements for Cannabis Businesses

A proposed change to Michigan’s adult use cannabis regulations would
require businesses to provide “real-time access and live monitoring” via a
web-based portal, MLive reports. Under the current rules businesses are
required to record certain points of their operations – sales, shipping,
and access – and store at least 30 days’ worth of footage and provide it to
regulators upon request.

During a public hearing last week, Cassin Coleman, an industry consultant,
said the proposal effectively gives the Cannabis Regulatory Authority (CRA)
the right to conduct warrantless searches.

“The general public goes into these places and is always on camera. And now
the agency will have access to that without giving any notice to anyone
that they’re doing it.” — Coleman via MLive

Matthew Abel, a retired defense attorney and founder of the Cannabis
Counsel, said allowing (CRA) access to a live feed “just seems so invasive.”


“Especially because [cannabis sales are] still federally illegal,” Abel
said during his remarks at the hearing. “We don’t really want our faces on
video, live-streamed (showing) illegal transactions.”

CRA spokesman David Harns told MLive the agency is “seriously considering
removing the proposed camera rule change in its entirety based on the
feedback already received” through public comments.