Michigan

Is weed legal in Michigan?

Yes. Both adult-use (recreational) and medical marijuana are legal in the Great Lake State.

Legislation history

Michigan voters approved the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative, or the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, in November 2008. The measure legalized the use of marijuana for seriously ill patients. It allowed seriously and terminally ill patients to use marijuana with a doctor’s approval and permitted qualifying patients and caregivers to cultivate a limited supply of medical marijuana.

Michigan voters approved the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) in November 2018, legalizing the consumption of cannabis for adults 21 and older and making it the first state in the Midwest to permit medical and recreational cannabis. (“Marihuana” is not a typo, but an outdated spelling that harkens back to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.)

Where is it safe to purchase weed in Michigan?

edical marijuana patients may purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per day from a state-licensed retailer, but they can’t exceed 10 ounces in a month. The Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) oversees the state’s medical marijuana program.

Adult-use, or recreational, consumers may purchase up 2.5 ounces of cannabis at a time with no more than 15 grams in the form of concentrate. Adults can shop at the state’s adult-use retailers, which are also regulated by the MRA.

Finding licensed cannabis retailers in Michigan

Medical marijuana cardholders and recreational users can find licensed cannabis retailers in Michigan and search by major metro areas. However, adult-use consumers should be aware many municipalities in Michigan have opted out of adult-use sales.

Where is it safe to consume weed in Michigan?

Certified patients and adults 21 and older may consume cannabis at home or in a private space. With the exception of a few unique circumstances, consumption in public areas is illegal. Consuming medical marijuana in a privately owned vehicle is also prohibited. Driving under the influence of cannabis is a violation of Michigan’s Drugged Driving laws. Universities that receive federal funding must also comply with drug-free campus regulations, which prohibit marijuana possession and consumption on campus.

Possession and cultivation limits

According to state law, adults 21 and older may possess 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of cannabis with no more than 15 grams of that in concentrate form. Those interested in growing cannabis at home may cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants and possess the harvest of those plants, up to 10 ounces (284 grams) in their home. Adults may give away small amounts of cannabis but are prohibited from selling it without a license.

Patients and primary caregivers can possess up to 10 ounces and may cultivate and possess the harvest from up to 12 cannabis plants at a time, though patients must indicate their intent to grow cannabis on their registry application. Home-cultivated plants must be kept in a locked, enclosed space. If a caregiver wants to grow more, they need to apply for a Michigan commercial cultivation license.

Medical marijuana in Michigan

The Michigan Medical Marihuana Program (MMMP) allows qualifying patients to obtain a registry ID card, which grants the patient legal access to medical marijuana.

Patients and caregivers

Patients must be 18 or older to qualify for medical cannabis use under current MMMP laws. If patients designate a primary caregiver, they are required to list the caregiver on their registry application. Caregivers must be at least 21 years old and never convicted of a violent or drug-related felony. Primary caregivers must not have committed a felony of any kind within the last 10 years. Primary caregivers may have up to five qualifying patients in their care.

Debilitating medical conditions

The MMMP reserves medical cannabis access for patients with the following debilitating medical conditions:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Nail-patella syndrome

The MMMP also reserves medical cannabis for chronic or debilitating conditions, or their treatments, that produce one or more of the following:

• Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
• Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe and chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Application process

Applying for medical marijuana certification in Michigan involves the following steps:

• Get a recommendation from a qualified physician and include the written certification with the MMMP application
• Submit the MMMP Michigan medical marijuana application form and proof of Michigan residency (valid Michigan driver’s license, personal identification card, or signed voter registration)
• Pay a $60 fee for the card
• Designate a caregiver, if applicable, and pay a $25 caregiver application fee and submit a copy of the caregiver’s ID

Michigan patients have frequently been told by third parties that a registry application and physician can function as a temporary registry ID card. All patients applying for the MMMP should know that a valid registry ID card — presented alongside another state-issued ID, most commonly a state driver’s license — is the only form of identification that will protect them from arrest in Michigan.

Reciprocity

Certified medical cannabis patients from out of state may purchase medical cannabis while in Michigan by presenting their valid patient ID and photo ID.

Lab testing

All cannabis sold in Michigan must be tested for the following:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) levels
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) levels
• Terpenes
• Chemical residue
• Foreign matter
• Fungicides, insecticides, and pesticides
• Metals
• Microbes and mycotoxins
• Moisture content
• Residual solvents