GRAND RAPIDS, MI (AP)-- About 39 percent of Michigan communities that approved a recreational marijuana ballot measure last year have since introduced local bans that prohibit businesses selling pot.
Michigan's Marijuana Regulatory Agency issued emergency rules in July giving local authorities six months to introduce bans before it starts to accept applications for business licenses November 1st.
Mlive.com reports that 308 of the 792 cities and townships that passed Proposal 1 in November have prohibited recreational marijuana businesses.
Bruce Barcott is the deputy editor of the marijuana news website Leafly. Barcott describes the local bans as the "second phase of legalization," and warns that banning legal sales will only encourage the black market to thrive.
Ten other states and the District of Columbia have legalized smoking or eating marijuana for recreational use since 2012.
