LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- The speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives said Thursday the state government will shut down if the Michigan Senate does not pass a tax on marijuana.

The Michigan House passed a bill that would place a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, Michigan would have the second-highest marijuana tax rate in the country, trailing only Washington, which adds a 37% tax onto retail sales.

The combined Michigan tax rate, which would take effect Jan. 1, would be 34% after adding the current 10% excise tax on retail sale, which doesn't include the standard 6% statewide sales tax. The new rate is lower than the 32% wholesale rate Gov. Gretchen Whitmer floated in February to allocate towards road projects.

Speaker of the House Mat

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