Capitol News

Michigan is serious about companies complying with the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and the state is beginning to limit what stores can sell, according to WILX 10.

Although home improvement stores are considered essential in Michigan, they are prohibited from selling everything on their shelves.

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has warned Menards for selling items deemed unnecessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They shouldn’t be providing a bunch of unnecessary or non-essential goods, “ said Ryan Jarvi, spokesman for the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.  “You don’t need to go out and buy paint to paint your rooms or mulch for your garden. These aren’t things shoppers and consumers should be going to pick up,” he said.

Michigan residents have been speaking their minds on Twitter, some imploring Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to lighten up.

“I never thought I’d live in a world where I can be fined for buying top soil. This has to stop, @GovWhitmer,” wrote Twitter user @steffi_cole.

“I’m in SE Michigan and the police have been ticketing people coming out of Home Depot with 'non-essential' items. When they started a week ago, it was a $500 fine. Two days ago, Gov. Whitmer declared anyone caught not abiding social distancing and stay home order will now be fined $1000,” wrote Twitter user @krissyshouse.

The Michigan Farm Bureau is imploring members and agricultural stakeholders to speak out and request clarification to Executive Order 2020-21. They want to see the retail sale of plants deemed essential infrastructure because, as the order stands, people are being fined for purchasing items like plants and potting soil. 

Whitmer’s “Stay Home Stay Safe” executive order leaves retail garden centers out of designated essential businesses.

On  April 3, Carl Bednarski, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau, sent a request to Whitmer’s office asking for a “reconsideration of retail garden centers to be included as essential infrastructure workers,” according to a Michigan Farm News press release.

“For many growers, if they’re not allowed to sell the plants already growing in greenhouses, it will mean a complete loss and an entire year without income for both the owners and their employees,” said Audrey Sebolt, MIFB horticulture specialist. “We’re hopeful Governor Whitmer will take the lead from Ohio Governor DeWine who on April 2 designated retail garden centers as essential infrastructure.”

The industry is willing to comply with restrictions that focus on social distancing and to make changes like curbside delivery in order to sell their products. Of note, studies have shown that planting flowers, vegetables, and caring for plants can be great for individuals’ mental health.