Before the legalization of medical marijuana in Michigan, possession conviction resulted in hefty fines and jail time in some instances. While possession punishments ranged from $2,000 in fines and up to a year in jail, distribution and cultivation charges were much steeper. Depending on the amount of cannabis and the operation’s scale, defendants battling prosecution faced punishments as harsh as 10 million dollars in fines and 15 years in jail!
This all changed in November of 2008 when Michigan voters passed Proposal 1 (the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative) on the voters’ ballot. The new law allowed patients with a doctor’s approval to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for medical treatment to specific qualifying ailments. Even though the initiative didn’t legalize cannabis dispensaries, it did permit cannabis patients or their designated caregivers to cultivate upwards of 12 mature cannabis plants. While the ballot faced some opposition in Michigan, it ultimately passed by an overwhelming majority, which made Michigan the first of the midwestern states to legalize medical marijuana.
Ten years after legalizing medical cannabis, Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to legalize marijuana recreationally. November 6th, 2018, Proposal 1 was voted into law by the Voters of Michigan, permitting residents over the age of 21 to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana on their person, 10 ounces in their home, and grow upwards of 12 mature cannabis plants in their residence.
Michigan is home to some of the country's best forests and beaches. If you love the outdoors, Michigan offers some of the best in the country.
In Michigan, you can find an array of beautiful outdoor experiences such as Isle Royale National Park, Mackinac Island, Windmill Island, Belle Isle Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Warren Dunes State Park, and the Tawas Point State Park. Unsurprisingly, more than half the state is covered with lush, green forest.
However, much of the state’s heart and soul can be found in the legendary motor city, Detroit. The city stands as a relic of industrial factories and is still home to companies like the Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Chrysler, and Cadillac. Detroit was the center of the industrial revolution, which gives the city this raw, gritty feel to it but in a great way.
The great state of Michigan is surrounded by some of the county’s most beautiful lakes. Lakes like Superior and Michigan and its extraordinary lake islands make the state a fantastic place to go and enjoy nature.
Michigan offers a unique array of options and things to do between its beautifully scenic views and its history for industry and development.
Below is a list of medical conditions that patients in Michigan must have to qualify for medical marijuana use:
The cost of the application fee is $40. The fee can be paid via check or money order and should be addressed to the State of Michigan - Medical Marijuana Program.
No. The $40 application fee stays the same regardless of whether a caregiver is involved.
You can request to have your ID card replaced either by mail or online.
For the online card replacement, you first must register by creating a secure online account. You can complete the online application by following the instructions found on the state’s website.
You can also request your replacement card via mail by first completing and submitting the Request Replacement Card form. On the form, you will find a list of instructions that lists the necessary documentation that must be included upon submission. You can find the form on the State’s website at the same link above.
Your medical marijuana ID card is good for 2 years. You can find the expiration listed on the ID card. As a caregiver, your card will expire at the same time as your patient’s card.
The only doctors that can recommend cannabis are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (DO) and Medical Doctors (MD). These doctors must have a valid license to practice in the state of Michigan in order to recommend medical marijuana to patients.
Yes. The only thing required by the MMMP is that a patient provides a valid Michigan mailing address.
To renew your medical marijuana ID card online, you must:
* Be a patient that does not have a caregiver (or remove your caregiver on your renewal application)
* Register online by creating a secure account
* Complete an in-person medical evaluation administered by a practicing Michigan physician
For more information and instructions, visit the online portal on the state’s website. www.michigan.gov/mmp