Some Kids Have Had Lemonade Stands Shut Down—Michigan Wants to Fix That

If you’ve ever driven past a kid selling lemonade and thought, “Good for them, learning how to hustle,” Michigan lawmakers apparently agree.

Leave it to the government to make a lemonade stand complicated. Thankfully, the Michigan House of Representatives just passed a bill to cut back on the permits, fees, and red tape for kids trying to make a few bucks.

Why Michigan Wants to Protect Kids’ Lemonade Stands

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According to WNEM, the bill, introduced by Cam Cavitt, would make things easier for kids running lemonade stands that bring in less than $5,000 a year.

Which sounds crazy to even say out loud, but in some places, kids can actually face permit requirements or licensing fees. We’ve even seen stories of kids getting shut down just for trying to sell lemonade.

Come on. It’s a lemonade stand.

Could Kids Really Need a Permit to Sell Lemonade in Michigan?

According to Cam Cavitt’s office, lemonade stand rules can vary depending on where you live, and yep, in some places, kids actually need permits.

I get wanting basic safety standards, but we’re talking about kids with a folding table, a Sharpie sign, and a pitcher of lemonade. We're not talking about some underground beverage cartel.

The Lemonade Stand Bill Still Needs Senate Approval

The bill now heads to the Michigan Senate.

If it passes, kids in Michigan might have one less ridiculous thing to worry about while trying to make a few summer bucks.

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And that feels like common sense to me. Honestly, it’s pretty dumb that we’re even having this conversation in the first place.