LANSING, MI -- Michigan lawmakers unleashed a package of proposed laws intended to crack down on black market marijuana.

For years, there’s been a lack of clarity regarding what punishment operators of illegal grows may face. This has led to reluctant prosecution and enforcement, prosecutors and police say.

The “current scheme” is “inviting organized crime into our state because it’s seen as something that doesn’t have a serious penalty,” said Iosco County Prosecutor James A. Bacarella, who is currently prosecuting four Chinese nationals accused of operating an illegal grow. “It’s just a misdemeanor, so it doesn’t matter how large your grow is.”

Laws created in the 1970s include a punishment of up to 15 years in prison and $10 million in fines for anyone convicted of possession with int

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