How Do I Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Michigan?

Whether you’re a Michigan resident considering applying for an MMJ card or if you are a current cardholder looking to move to MI, there are steps you can take to secure your medical marijuana card online. The Michigan medical marijuana card process can be done entirely online. 

One will first need to obtain a certification from a licensed physician that they have a qualifying condition. Once certified by a medical professional, patients can go through the application process online, either through the state website or telehealth providers. Read on as we go over the steps to apply, renew, and become a caregiver in Michigan. 

The United States and Legal Medical Cannabis

In the United States, medical marijuana programs have been legalized in thirty-six states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Medical marijuana programs allow patients with specified conditions to own, grow and utilize cannabis products to aid in managing their condition, even if recreational cannabis users are not authorized.

Approved requirements vary by state, and many programs will require patience to apply for a medical cannabis card. This process will typically include a consultation and evaluation by a physician. A primary care provider can often suggest it for medical cannabis patients with long-term or chronic conditions.

Medicinal Cannabis Use

Over fifty peer-reviewed medical studies have been conducted on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis and its many cannabinoids and terpenes. The consensus that emerged from these studies is that cannabis can provide medical benefits for many different conditions.

While most of these studies have focused on the help of the specific cannabinoid CBD, other major and minor cannabinoids, in conjunction with terpenes, show significant promise in treating both physical and mental ailments.

MI Patient Eligibility

A Michigan medical marijuana patient must be 18 or older to visit a medical marijuana dispensary. Only those who can prove MI residency can apply for a patient id number and a license for the medical marijuana program (valid state-issued driver’s license, Government ID). A Michigan resident must also have medical history showing a diagnosis that qualifies a doctor to recommend them as a patient that can legally obtain medical marijuana.

Qualifying Conditions in Michigan

In 2008, lawmakers signed a medical cannabis program into law via The Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative.

 The medical conditions included are as follows: 

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Crohn’s disease
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Nail Patella
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Chronic or debilitating nausea
• Chronic Pain, Severe Pain
• Seizures (including epilepsy)
• Persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis)
• Arthritis
• Autism
• Chronic pain
• Colitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Parkinson’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Spinal cord injury
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Ulcerative colitis

Steps to Apply for a Medical Card

There are a few steps to get a medical marijuana card in Michigan with the help of Leafy DOC. First, you’ll select your State to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about the Michigan medical marijuana card process.

Skip the wait at the doctor’s office and schedule your evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home. Submit an intake form with a few personal details and a summary of your medical history; then, we’ll help you book an on-demand telehealth appointment or schedule a convenient time for later.

An online recommendation with Leafy DOC starts at 149 USD for new patients and renewals in Michigan. There is a money-back guarantee if you are not approved for a medical marijuanas card in Michigan.

Connect with the right licensed medical marijuana doctor in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video. Our licensed physicians will evaluate your qualifying condition, address your questions and concerns, and then provide a recommendation for a medical card via email.

After receiving your recommendation email, you can begin the application to register for the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) with the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency. You’ll create an online account, fill out and submit the application with a 40 USD fee.

Once the state sends you the approval confirmation email, you can access medical marijuana, as this is a temporary card. The physical card will arrive approximately five business days after the approval date. Your certificate will be valid for two years.

Can Leafy DOC help?

Absolutely! Not only can Leafy DOC provide a way to see a doctor via telehealth and obtain your medical card, but we also offer access to knowledgeable and helpful customer support and a personalized health coach that can guide you before and after the MMJ card process.

Our mission at Leafy DOC is to provide a seamless customer experience, educate people about cannabis, and ultimately help people get medical cards quickly and efficiently.

Additional MMJ Card Fees in MI

The fee for applying for a medical marijuana card in Michigan has been recently reduced from sixty to forty USD. The cards are valid for two years, making MI one of the cheapest states for getting a medical card.

The Renewal Process

It is recommended to renew around a month before the expiration date to have time to complete the renewal appointment and application. Michigan medical marijuana cards expire two years after the certification date on the physician’s recommendation. New cannabis ID cards are issued upon recertification approval. The renewal application is 40 USD every two years.

How to Apply as a Caregiver

A primary caregiver is an adult over 21 legally allowed to purchase, transport, educate, and administer medical cannabis to medical marijuana patients with a valid medical card.

Over thirty states have legalized medical marijuana programs, allowing caregivers to assist qualified patients. In these locations, state legislation provides legal protection for the patient and the caregiver from criminal penalties. 

A primary caregiver must prove Michigan residency and be added to the patient’s registration to be considered for a card.

A designated caregiver must be at least 21 years old and not have a felony conviction to apply for the medical cannabis program.

The cost of a caregiver card is 40 USD.

Where to Purchase Medical Marijuana in Michigan

Once registered for the Michigan Medical Cannabis program and received your ID card, you may wonder what’s next. There are a few ways to receive legal medical marijuana in Michigan as a qualified patient. 

Once you have the medical marijuana card, you can purchase cannabis products at a licensed medical marijuana dispensary. You’ll need to bring a state-issued ID and your medical marijuana card to your first visit to be registered in the dispensary’s system.

There are various cannabis products available to a legal medical marijuana patient in Michigan, including:

• Pre-rolls and Cones
• Concentrates
• Edibles
• Flower
• THC-Infused beverages
• Cannabis Seeds