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Medical marijuana sold in Canada by Prairie Plant Systems Inc.

LANSING, MI -- Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a new law that would allow Michigan to create a "pharmaceutical-grade cannabis" registry if the federal government ever reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug fit for medical use.

Voters approved Michigan's medical marijuana law in 2008, allowing certified patients and caregivers to grow the drug. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, however, even though the Obama administration has directed prosecutors to respect state laws.

Senate Bill 660, now Public Act 268 of 2013, provides the framework for Michigan to regulate large-scale marijuana growers and sell their products in pharmacies if the federal government recategorizes the drug in the future.

The pharmaceutical cannabis registry would not replace Michigan's existing patient-caregiver model, but patients who wanted to access it would have to give up their current medical marijuana cards. They could reapply again in the future if so desired.

Sponsoring Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township), a medical doctor, said the registry could provide patients with a consistently dosed product that is tested to ensure the absence of molds, pesticides or other toxins.

"This bill will give them a pure and pharmaceutical-grade alternative to homegrown marijuana, so that they'll have the ability to make a choice, and in making that choice, they will have a product that accurately fits the name medical," Kahn told his colleagues in November.

Former state House Speaker Chuck Perricone lobbied for the bill on behalf of Prairie Plant Systems Inc. of Canada. The bio-pharmaceutical company has been Canada's primary medical marijuana supplier for more than a decade and wants to grow the drug in an old mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Snyder's office announced a number of bill signings on Monday, including new laws to "foster government efficiency" by revising drain districts, changing the definition of commercial bus vehicles for more thorough inspections, allowing the Michigan Board of Pharmacy to approve various pilot projects for service delivery and more.

The governor also signed a five-bill package clarifying the state's public employee health insurance law, which restricts the amount that public employers are allowed to spend on health coverage for employees.

Michigan lawmakers, who sent Snyder dozens of bills earlier this month before breaking for the holidays, are due to return to session on January 8.

Before the break, the state House approved bills that would update Michigan's existing medical marijuana law by allowing for the return of dispensaries, along with edible or topical versions of the drug. Those bills face an uncertain future in the Senate.

Editor's note: This article previously indicated that former state House Speaker Chuck Perricone works directly for Prairie Plant Systems Inc. It was updated to clarify that he lobbies on behalf of the company in Lansing.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.