How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Michigan? 2024

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The state of Michigan is known to provide quality and state-of-the-art services to its registered medical marijuana users from the very start. The state legalized medical marijuana back in 2008 when the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was legalized. Shortly after, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Commission became functional and is working flawlessly to this very day.

In the year 2019, the state of Michigan went one step further and legalized the adult recreational use of marijuana within the state as well. On one end, this legalization was surely a step forward for the state and its residents, but on the other hand, some questions were further raised. One of those questions was, ‘If I can consume marijuana as an adult, why should I get a medical marijuana card in the first place?’

Well today, we are going to find that out and also guide you through on obtaining a Michigan medical marijuana card in 2023.

Possible Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In Michigan

Even though both medical and recreational marijuana are now legal in Michigan, some benefits are limited to medical marijuana users. These benefits include,

• Medical marijuana users have to pay less taxes per purchase as compared to recreational marijuana users. According to an estimate, medical marijuana users pay about 6% tax while recreational marijuana users pay 16% tax on marijuana purchases.
• Medical marijuana users also enjoy higher possession limits than recreational marijuana users. A medical marijuana card in Michigan allows you to possess up to 16 oz of solid cannabis products, 7 g of gaseous marijuana products, and 36 fl oz of a liquid marijuana product. While on the other hand, adult marijuana users can only possess up to 2.5 ounces of recreational cannabis products.
• Within the state, there is a solid network of licensed dispensaries from where adults can purchase marijuana products. However, having a medical marijuana card does get you a priority facilitation right as this can be a matter of your health. On the other hand, recreational marijuana users do have to wait around for their turn.

Find out the benefits of having a cannabis card in Michigan here.

Eligibility Requirements

Just like any other US state with an active medical marijuana program, the state of Michigan has set some requirements to determine whether or not you’re eligible for a medical marijuana card in the first place. According to these eligibility requirements,

• The patient must be a resident of the state of Michigan.
• The patient must be diagnosed with one of the medical marijuana qualifying conditions.
• The patient must be 18 years of age. The state does allow minor patients to apply for a medical marijuana card given that they are accompanied by a designated caregiver.

Qualifying Medical Conditions

As per the Michigan state law, a patient must be diagnosed with one of the following qualifying medical conditions to become eligible for a medical marijuana card,

• AIDS/HIV
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Arthritis
• Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain, and Other Types of Pain
• Autism/Asperger Syndrome
• Cancer
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Seizures and Seizure Disorders
• Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Similar Conditions
• Crohn’s Disease
• Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C)
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Nail-Patella Syndrome
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
• Glaucoma
• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) and Spinal Cord Diseases (SCDs)
• Tourette Syndrome
• Muscle Spasms

How To Apply? A Step-By-Step Guide

Well, considering that you now might be looking for ways to get a Michigan medical marijuana card, here is a step-by-step guide that you need to follow and hopefully, you’ll get approved for a medical marijuana card.

• First, you need to book a medical marijuana evaluation with a certified medical marijuana doctor. Don’t worry if you can’t find the right doctor around, the Kif is going to help you with that.
• Once you get your medical marijuana recommendation, the next step is to gather all the necessary documents and apply for a medical marijuana card at the Michigan Medical Marijuana Commission. Don’t forget to pay any application charges set by the state.
• Finally, wait for the relevant authority to make a final decision on your application. If approved, you’ll be further notified regarding how and when to receive your medical marijuana card.

What To Expect During Your Kif Appointment?

Once you decide to book an appointment with us, we allow you to book a medical marijuana appointment as and when you prefer. This is one of the many benefits that come with our telemedicine-powered approach. We also offer a money-back guarantee in case you don’t get a medical marijuana recommendation from us.

Potential Cost

The whole cost of getting a Michigan medical marijuana card can be divided into two sections. First, you’ll have to pay the consultation fee for your medical marijuana recommendation. If you decide to go with telemedicine platforms like the Kif, this cost is going to be quite affordable.

Once that is done, you’ll have to pay a $40 non-refundable application fee that will get you a Michigan medical marijuana card, valid for two years. Do note that once your card expires after two years, you’ll have to book a medical marijuana evaluation once again.

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Here’s a detailed list of US states that do accept medical marijuana cards issued by the state of Michigan,

• Alaska ^
• New Mexico * (recreational cannabis is legal in NM)
• New York ^
• California ^
• Colorado ^
• Hawaii *
• Pennsylvania (minors only)
• Illinois ^
• Maine
• Connecticut ^
• Arkansas *
• Michigan (qualifying state must also have reciprocity with Michigan)
• Missouri ^
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• Oklahoma *
• Oregon ^
• Puerto Rico
• Washington ^
• Washington D.C.
• Maryland ^ (as of July 2023)
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah (max. 45 days, after which the patient must apply for a Utah MMJ card)
• Vermont ^
• Virginia ^

States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay.

States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.

In Michigan, deciding whether a particular medical marijuana card from another state is valid or not is something that is decided by licensed marijuana dispensaries independently.

Applying As A Caregiver

As per Michigan state law, a patient who’s not yet 18 can apply for a medical marijuana card considering that they are accompanied by a designated caregiver. The state also clearly mentions that the caregiver must be 21 or older, a resident of Michigan state, and has no record of past felonies.

How & Where To Buy Medical Marijuana In Michigan?

The state of Michigan has a well-organized network of licensed marijuana dispensaries from where both medical and recreational marijuana users can purchase marijuana-related goods. But in case you have a medical marijuana card, you get an exemption from an additional 10% sales tax.

Is ‘Cultivation’ a better option?

The cannabis cultivation limits are the same for both medical and recreational marijuana users. As long as you’re cultivating cannabis plants in a closed space, you can grow up to 12 cannabis plants at a time. Caregivers are also allowed to cultivate cannabis plants on behalf of the patient.

Michigan Medical Marijuana Laws That You Should Be Aware Of!

• Both recreational and medical marijuana are legal in Michigan with medical marijuana users enjoying some benefits that are only limited to them.
• Both medical and recreational marijuana users can grow up to 12 cannabis plants as long as they are grown within a closed space.
• The state does allow its residents to book a medical marijuana evaluation with the help of a telemedicine platform like the Kif.

FAQs

Are there specific medical marijuana doctors in Michigan who can recommend the card?

• Yes, as per the state’s medical marijuana law, only medical doctors who are licensed to recommend medical marijuana-based treatment to a patient can recommend the card.

Can I use my Medical Marijuana Card from another state in Michigan?

• Whether an out-of-state medical marijuana card will be valid in Michigan or not is something that is decided by the licensed dispensaries independently.

How long is the Medical Marijuana Card valid in Michigan?

• A Michigan medical marijuana card lasts for two years.

Where can I purchase medical marijuana after obtaining my card in Michigan?

• The state of Michigan has a network of licensed marijuana dispensaries from where you can purchase medical marijuana products.

Are there any restrictions on the amount of medical marijuana I can possess in Michigan with the card?

• As per the Michigan Cannabis Law, a medical marijuana card in Michigan allows you to possess up to 16 oz of solid cannabis products, 7 g of gaseous marijuana products, and 36 fl oz of liquid marijuana products.

Can I grow my cannabis plants if I have a Medical Marijuana Card in Michigan?

• Yes, the state allows you to cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants for both medical and recreational use within a closed space.

What should I do if I lose my Medical Marijuana Card in Michigan?

• In such a scenario, we will advise you to contact the relevant department as soon as possible and apply for a duplicate MMJ card.