Renters Under Fire With Proposed Amendment to Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Law

Michigan lawmakers are pushing forward with legislation that would give property owners the right to refuse to rent to medical marijuana patients.

This legislation, which was met with approval on Tuesday, by a vote of 34 to 3, is now on its way to the House for consideration. If the bill manages to gain the support of the majority, Michigan’s medical marijuana law would be amended, which could cause concerns for the cannabis community.

The problem is most landlords do not want to rent to individuals who smoke or grow marijuana in their homes because it can cause damage to the property. Although most leases ban marijuana under federal statutes, there has been some recent confusion on this issue within Michigan courts. This issue is especially sensitive since a 2013 Michigan Court of Appeals ruling outlawed the use of marijuana edibles, which forces medical marijuana patients to either smoke their medicine or do without.

If this amendment passes, landlords would not only have the legal right to refuse to rent to medical marijuana patients or caregivers.