Sec. 301.

(1) The medical marihuana licensing board is created within the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.

(2) The board consists of 5 members who are residents of this state, not more than 3 of whom are members of the same political party. The governor shall appoint the members. One of the members shall be appointed from 3 nominees submitted by the senate majority leader and 1 from 3 nominees submitted by the speaker of the house. The governor shall designate 1 of the members as chairperson.

(3) The members shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, except, of those who are first appointed, 1 member shall be appointed for a term of 2 years and 2 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. A member's term expires on December 31 of the last year of the member's term. If a vacancy occurs, the governor shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term in the manner of the original appointment.

(4) Each member of the board shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses and disbursements incurred in carrying out official duties.

(5) A board member shall not hold any other public office for which he or she receives compensation other than necessary travel or other incidental expenses.

(6) A person who is not of good moral character or who has been indicted for, charged with, or convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeited bail concerning any felony or a misdemeanor involving a controlled substance violation, theft, dishonesty, or fraud under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States or a local ordinance in any state involving a controlled substance violation, dishonesty, theft, or fraud that substantially corresponds to a misdemeanor in that state is not eligible to serve on the board.

(7) The governor may remove any member of the board for neglect of duty, misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or any other just cause.

(8) The board shall not appoint or employ an individual if any of the following circumstances exist:

(a) During the 3 years immediately preceding appointment or employment, the individual held any direct or indirect interest in, or was employed by, a person who is licensed to operate under this act or under a corresponding license in another jurisdiction or a person with an application for an operating license pending before the board or in any other jurisdiction. The board shall not employ an individual who has a direct or indirect interest in a licensee or a marihuana facility.

(b) The individual or his or her spouse, parent, child, child's spouse, sibling, or spouse of a sibling has an application for a license pending before the board or is a member of the board of directors of, or an individual financially interested in, any licensee or marihuana facility.

(9) Each member of the board and each key employee as determined by the department shall file with the governor a financial disclosure statement listing all assets and liabilities, property and business interests, and sources of income of the member and key employee and his or her spouse, if any, affirming that the member and key employee are in compliance with subsection (8)(a) and (b). The financial disclosure statement shall be made under oath and filed at the time of employment and annually thereafter.

(10) Each employee of the board shall file with the board a financial disclosure statement listing all assets and liabilities, property and business interests, and sources of income of the employee and his or her spouse. This subsection does not apply to a key employee.

(11) A member of the board or key employee shall not hold any direct or indirect interest in, be employed by, or enter into a contract for services with an applicant, a board licensee, or a marihuana facility for a period of 4 years after the date his or her employment or membership on the board terminates. The department in consultation with the board shall define the term "direct or indirect interest" by rule.

(12) For 2 years after the date his or her employment with the board is terminated, an employee of the board shall not acquire any direct or indirect interest in, be employed by, or enter into a contract for services with any applicant, licensee, or marihuana facility.

(13) For 2 years after the termination of his or her office or employment with the board, a board member or an individual employed by the board shall not represent any person or party other than this state before or against the board.

(14) A business entity in which a former board member or employee or agent has an interest, or any partner, officer, or employee of the business entity, shall not make any appearance or represent a party that the former member, employee, or agent is prohibited from appearing for or representing. As used in this subsection, "business entity" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, association, trust, or other form of legal entity.

History: 2016, Act 281, Eff. Dec. 20, 2016 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 582, Eff. Jan. 1, 2019 Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 281 of 2016 provides:"Enacting section 2. The legislature finds that the necessity for access to safe sources of marihuana for medical use and the immediate need for growers, processors, secure transporters, provisioning centers, and safety compliance facilities to operate under clear requirements establish the need to promulgate emergency rules to preserve the public health, safety, or welfare."