Michigan has had an interesting history with cannabis. In the early 1970s, Ann Arbor enacted some of the most lenient laws in the country regarding cannabis use and possession. However, it wasn’t until 2008 that Michigan officially adopted a functional MMJ program. It legally allowed the use of medical marijuana for the very first time.
Fast-forward to the present day, and the state is now one of the most liberal in the USA regarding cannabis legislation. Proposal 1 was passed in late 2018, which allows Michigan residents 21 and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at a time. Recreational sales began in December 2019.
With this in mind, you may ask yourself, “why get a Michigan MMJ card if I can buy 2.5 ounces without it?” Reasons to consider getting medical marijuana include lower costs, higher potency products, fewer age restrictions, and the potential to purchase cannabis in states that have a reciprocity agreement with your own.
If the above sounds good, and you want to apply for an MI medical card, continue reading our step-by-step guide below.
These days, adults aged 21+ can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in Michigan. Moreover, they can also have up to 10 ounces in the home. Even the possession of between 2.51 and 5 ounces is only a civil infraction, which results in a $500 fine. You must be caught with over five ounces for marijuana possession to become a misdemeanor in MI.
Adults can also distribute up to 2.5 ounces without remuneration. However, the sale of any amount of marijuana without the requisite license is a felony. The penalty is a potential four-year prison term. Michigan residents can also grow up to 12 plants legally.
Yet, despite the generous possession and growing limits in Michigan, having an MMJ card gives you even more freedom!
While many adults will be pleased with the 2.5-ounce possession limit, MMJ cardholders retain a few advantages. For instance, they can apply without a legal guardian when aged 18, whereas recreational weed is only available to individuals aged 21+.
To get a Michigan MMJ card, individuals must first go to the official Cannabis Regulatory Authority (CRA) website and create an online account. After opening the link, click on the button that says “New Users: Register for an Account.”
You’ll need to create a username and password and fill out basic personal information (name, address, DOB, etc.).
After you’ve created your online user account, you’ll need to proceed with the following steps.
To get certified for an MMJ card in Michigan, individuals must meet one of the state’s approved qualifying conditions. We outline the list of conditions later.
Next, you must find a Michigan marijuana doctor and set up a consultation. Patients cannot get approved for a Michigan MMJ card without a doctor’s approval. The state does not provide a list of cannabis doctors, so you’ll need to go online and search for “Michigan Marijuana Doctor near me.” There are hundreds of MMJ evaluation clinics across the state.
The exact protocol for the Michigan MMJ card application process varies from clinic to clinic. Now, it’s time to see the physician and submit your application.
A Michigan medical marijuana evaluation is just like any other doctor’s visit. Once you are in the room for your consultation, the doctor will perform a standard exam. They will look at your medical records and discuss the practicality of medical marijuana as an option for your condition.
If you’re completely new to medical marijuana, this would be a good time to ask questions about how cannabis works and what strains may suit your needs. If you are deemed eligible, the doctor or a staff member will explain the state’s medical marijuana rules. Then, the office will complete the requisite paperwork and submit the remaining portion of your application.
Beware that for the MMJ evaluation center to complete your application packet, you will need to show proof of Michigan residency in one of the following ways:
Please note that a copy of a voter registration card without a signature is not valid. Lastly, suppose you need an official caregiver to apply for medical cannabis on your behalf. You must refer to the state’s Frequently Asked Question page on the caregiver registry in that case.
Also, the doctor’s certification you use must be signed and dated within six months of your application.
You will receive a confirmatory email if you’re approved for medical cannabis. Then you can visit a Michigan dispensary!
To apply for a medical marijuana card in MI, you must be a state resident aged 18+ with a qualifying medical condition. A doctor will not provide written certification if they don’t believe your situation will improve using MMJ.
The medical marijuana card cost in MI includes a $40 application fee. However, most clinics will have a consultation fee, typically between $150 and $250. Please note that your health insurance won’t cover these costs.
Patients diagnosed with one of the following MI medical marijuana card qualifying conditions can apply for a Michigan MMJ card:
In the past, approval for a Michigan medical marijuana card could take up to six weeks. Now, many patients are approved on the same day that their application is submitted through the MMJ doctor’s clinic. The best news for MI patients is that they do not need to wait for their official Michigan MMJ card to arrive in the mail.
You can still mail a paper application if you wish, though you will still need to set up an online account with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). In this case, you must print off all required paperwork and submit everything to the following address:
Michigan Medical Marihuana Program
PO Box 30083
Lansing, MI 48909
If your application was submitted correctly, the state should notify you within 15 business days whether it was accepted or rejected.
You must renew via the CRA. This means completing the requisite sections of the application form and getting a fresh doctor’s certification. The good news is that the MMJ card in Michigan is valid for two years. You can submit a renewal application up to 90 days before your card expires.
Even though it is relatively straightforward to get a Michigan MMJ card, applicants often have many questions. We tackle some of the most frequently asked questions below.
You can choose from various products, including oils, marijuana flower, concentrates, topicals, and edibles.
