Michigan passed its medical marijuana laws in 2008. The “MI Medical Marihuana Program” (MMMP) is a state registry program within the Health Licensing Division in the Bureau of Professional Licensing at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The Program administers the “Michigan Medical Marijuana Act” as approved by MI voters on November 4, 2008.
Michigan is one of the few states that allows for home cultivation of marijuana. There can be no more than 12 marijuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked, facility, or, outdoor plants must not be “visible to the unaided eye from an adjacent property.”
Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Michigan?
Only people with severely debilitating medical conditions qualify for the use of medical cannabis in MI. The list of qualifying conditions includes:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Crohn’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Nail Patella
- Nausea
- PTSD
- Seizures
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Can the list of Qualifying Conditions be Added to?
Yes. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Review Panel can add to the list of qualifying conditions allowed under MI law. In 2014, the panel voted in favor of adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions.
How do I get a Medical Marijuana Card in Michigan?
If you have one of the of the qualifying conditions, you’ll need to fill ou the application form for a Registry Identification Card. Your Physician will need to complete a certification form that statess you qualify for medical marijuana in the state if MI. You will also need to provide a copy of a Valid Photo ID abd pay the $60 fee.
Where can I find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Michigan?
Any licensed MI physician can complete a Physician Certification Form.
Are there any Dispensaries in Michigan?
The MI Medical Marijuana Act does not include any-state licensed dispensaries. However there are nearly a dozen dispensaries that are licensed by local governments. Patients not near any of these dispensaries have to cultivate their own marijuana or register with a primary caregiver. Primary caregivers can have up to 5 qualifying patients. Caregivers are state-qualified and must not have been convicted of any felony within the last ten years, or any violent felony ever.
Where can I Smoke Medical Marijuana in Michigan?
You will nee to be on private property. Smoking on public transportation or any public area will lead to consequences.
Are Michigan Medical Marijuana Patients Shielded from Discrimination?
The “MI Medical Marihuana Act” allows registered patients to carry up to two and a half ounces of usable marijuana. The act does not require that private employers allow an employee to use medical marijuana at or outside of work. Do so at your own risk.
Future of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Program:
The program may expand the list of qualifying conditions in the future. It may also benefit from implementing state-licensed dispensaries. MI has failed to legalize state-licensed dispensaries. The state has tried but failed several years in a row to approve legislation that would add legal medical marijuana dispensaries to the “Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.”
