How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Michigan

In 2008, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was approved in Michigan. The state of Michigan has since maintained one of the most established medical marijuana programs in the United States. In addition to allowing legal access for those aged 21 and above, obtaining a medical marijuana card provides additional benefits such as larger possession amounts, personal production privileges, and reduced taxation.

These regulatory bodies are collectively referred to as the MMMP, or the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program.

The MMMP is run by both the CRA and LARA via the LARA Registry website.

• Website: michigan.gov/mmp 
• Mail: Michigan Medical Marijuana Program, PO Box 30083, Lansing, MI 48909

To become eligible for a Michigan MMJ card, one needs to be:

• A resident of Michigan with legal proof of residency
• 18 years or above (or, minors under a parent’s or guardian’s care who have a qualifying condition)
• Diagnosed with a qualifying illness by a Michigan-licensed doctor within the past six months

No felonies will disqualify applicants in Michigan.

Who Can Certify Patients?

Certification of patients can only be done by licensed MDs and DOs within the state of Michigan. Certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants are not permitted under Michigan law. Telemedicine is entirely acceptable.

Qualifying Medical Conditions

Michigan maintains a fixed list of qualifying conditions – physicians cannot certify patients for conditions not on the list. Recognized conditions include:

• AIDS, HIV, and Alzheimer’s disease
• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
• Cancer, chronic pain, and cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Crohn’s disease and glaucoma
• Multiple sclerosis and severe, persistent muscle spasms
• Parkinson’s disease and PTSD
• Severe nausea and seizures (including epilepsy)
• And more – the full list is available at michigan.gov/mmp 

Individuals in Michigan are allowed to petition the Michigan Medical Marijuana Review Panel for additional qualifying conditions. The review panel meets twice annually, and the petition should focus on only one qualifying condition.

Step 1: Get Certified by a Licensed Michigan Physician

Book a consultation with a licensed MD or DO in Michigan, either virtually or physically. Your doctor will evaluate your case and fill out a physician certification form for the MMMP. Certifications have to be less than six months old, and your physician should have an MMMP account.

Step 2: Register on the LARA Patient Portal

Go to the website of the LARA Registry at michigan.gov/mmp and create an account for yourself. Sign in to the site, and go to the section called Registry Cards. In that section, choose “Patient Only Registry Application” and fill out the necessary information.

Please note that online forms can be filled in by adults who don’t have caregivers.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

During your application, upload the following:

• Michigan driver’s license or state-issued photo ID – proof of identity and residency
• Physician certification form – uploaded by you or submitted directly by your physician through their MMMP online account
• Caregiver name and details, if designating one

Paper applicants mail the completed MMMP Application Packet with document copies and a check or money order to the MMMP mailing address.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

Michigan requires a non-refundable state registration fee of $40. The payment methods available include electronic check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover when applying online. Applications made through paper forms require a check or money order payable to “State of Michigan-MMMP.” There are no charges for caregiver registration.

Step 5: Receive Your Approval and Card

It takes the MMMP a maximum of 20 business days to process your application. Upon being accepted, you will be sent an approval letter by email that remains valid for 15 days. You can use this approval letter and a valid ID to access the medication from any dispensing site immediately.

Show your registry card along with a picture ID at any provisioning center licensed in the state of Michigan. Although medical marijuana users can access recreational dispensaries, they must buy from the medical section for all their perks.

Possession Limits

Home Cultivation

Patients who have registered may cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants in a secure, enclosed area without regard to any home recreational grow operation, and this is possibly the most valuable advantage of Michigan’s medical marijuana program.

Benefits Over Recreational Access

• Lower taxation – patients do not have to pay excise taxes like recreational users
• Higher limit – 10 ounces in the residence against a 2.5-oz recreational allowance
• 12 personal plants – in addition to any personal recreational growing
• High concentration products- medical dispensaries have special strains not available recreationally
• Availability at age 18 – for recreational use, one must be 21 years old

The caregiver can assist in serving five eligible patients and should be at least 21 years old, not have any felony convictions relating to drugs, and should be chosen by the patient in his or her application process. The registration of a caregiver does not entail any cost. The caregiver can purchase up to 2.5 ounces per patient and grow 12 plants per patient (60 in all for 5 patients) in a locked environment.

Patients visiting from other states can use their expired out-of-state medical marijuana identification cards along with their photo IDs at any licensed dispensing location in Michigan.

The Michigan medical marijuana card is good for a period of two years. The process of renewal can start even 90 days prior to expiration and entails following the same procedures during the first issuance, including a fresh certification by a physician along with a payment of the $40 fee.

• Only MDs and DOs may issue certifications – not NPs or PAs
• Certification must have been issued in the past six months
• Online applications are only for adult patients who don’t have a caregiver
• Email approval is good for 15 days – buy right away, no need to wait for your card
• Your card is good for two years and costs $40
• Caregiver costs nothing in Michigan
• For medical patients, you may grow up to 12 plants at home
• Michigan recognizes out-of-state medical marijuana cards