The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is looking for volunteers to help with the development of rules and regulations that will govern the recreational marijuana market.

The state has until December to come up with the rules and then will begin to hand out licenses for the recreational market. Commercial sales of marijuana are expected to begin sometime early next year and pot for recreational use will be available to people who are at least 21.

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The four work groups the state plans to form are these:

People who already have licenses to operate medical marijuana businesses and want to expand into the recreational market. Under the ballot proposal that voters approved in November, legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use, the medical marijuana businesses that have state licenses will have first dibs on the recreational licenses.

Municipalities that are considering allowing licensed recreational marijuana facilities in their community. Currently, 114 communities have passed ordinances allowing medical marijuana businesses and those communities are expected to also allow recreational marijuana businesses. Communities have the right to prohibit marijuana businesses in their towns and at least 280 have already taken action to do that, according to an unofficial list from LARA.

Attorneys who represent marijuana clients who have an interest in getting into the recreational market.

Individuals or businesses interested in participating in the recreational market as either a licensed business or a user of marijuana.

Voters approved the ballot proposal 56-44 percent, legalizing the use, possession and licensed sales of recreational marijuana. Under the proposal, people also will be able to grow up to 12 plants each.

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To apply for one of the work groups, Michiganders need to send an email to LARA-MedicalMarijuana@michigan.gov with WORK GROUP in the subject line. Applicants should include: which work group they're interested in; name, email address, phone number, occupation and employer; and an explanation of qualifications for the group.

Applications are due by 9 a.m. March 4 and group meetings in Lansing will begin in late March.

The state has already begun looking at developing the rules, said Andrew Brisbo, director of the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation, and is looking forward to talking with the "stakeholders" in the work groups to gather information on the future of the recreational market.

Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.