Due to a fairly new law in Michigan, people can legally smoke marijuana if they have a prescription from their doctor. Today, we’re talking about how the legalization of medical marijuana may affect your rental property. It’s not very common yet, but as a landlord you should be prepared for tenants who want to use it.
Can You Evict a Tenant for Smoking Pot?
If someone is smoking marijuana in your property with a prescription, it may actually be difficult to evict that tenant. The best way to avoid a tenant smoking pot is by including language specific to this situation in your lease. When you want your rental properties to remain free of marijuana, you need to say that in your lease. You might already have something in there that says smoking is not allowed. All you have to do is add something specifically about not smoking marijuana. That will make eviction possible if you do find your tenants smoking it in your property.
Smoking Marijuana around Your Property
Even if you manage to avoid having your tenants smoking marijuana inside your property, you still have to worry that they might smoke marijuana around your property. If they have their prescription, they may feel that they’re able to smoke outside or in hallways. This could be disruptive to other tenants and neighbors. Again, you’ll want to go back to your lease. Put something in 
your lease to address that situation as well. If you don’t have something specific in your lease, it may be difficult to evict someone.
Talk to a good property manager and an attorney if you find yourself in this situation. We are not attorneys, but we can advise you on what to do from a property management standpoint.
If you’d like to talk further about tenants smoking weed or St. Joseph property management, please contact us at Real Property Management Southwest Michigan.
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