Michigan is one of the few states where you can access both medical and recreational marijuana. Besides the legality of marijuana, you need to know How To Get Medical Marijuana in Maryland. On the other hand, you need to be 21 years and above to access recreational marijuana.
Some rules and regulations govern the use of marijuana. They are vital as they ensure that no citizen abuses marijuana. You have a possession limit of 2.5 ounces, and also, the government controls the amount of weed you can have in a month.
The state first opened doors for everyone to use cannabis in 2018. Since then, Michiganders have witnessed an improved quality of life. People suffer from less anxiety, and the painful diseases are less painful. Also, the conditions that were hard to manage are now easy to keep in control.
Michigan Recreational Weed Rules
If you are over 21, the state allows you to possess up to 12 ounces of weed. Alternatively, you can have up to 12 plants in your home. However, the plants need to be in an enclosed and locked facility to keep them out of reach of children.
If you are over 21 and in a private home, you can possess up to 10 ounces of weed. However, you can never carry more than 2.5 ounces with you. Also, it would help if you locked it in a secure place. An MMJ patient may possess more than that in exceptional circumstances.
Michiganders can use delivery services to buy marijuana. Also, you need to order and receive it inline in a state like California. It helps prevent the misuse of the drug. If you are an older person or a kid, your caregiver can order and receive the weed for you. The delivery person will verify if you are the same person that called the weed. Also, they’ll need to confirm with the legal documents that you are 21 years and above. One thing they don’t skip is the delivery address. It has to match with the address you had while placing an order.
Possession and Use Limits
An adult weed user needs to be above 21 years. Here’s what the state allows you to possess:
- At most, 2.5 ounces of weed that’s ready to use
- Not more than 12 marijuana plants in a closed area.
- If you choose cannabis concentrates, then you should possess a maximum of 15 grams.
Michigan Recreational Cannabis Bill
In 2018, Michiganders could access medical cannabis. However, it took ten more years for citizens to get access to recreational marijuana. The ten years study showed how patients had an improved quality of life. Also, the side effects were minimal and negligible. Thus, the doors were open to the general public.
Law 1 of 2018 directed that recreational dispensaries be set up from the 1st of December 2019. The initial dates were much later, But due to the operations of MMJ dispensaries, it was easier to set up the others. Since then, many dispensaries have sprouted in different places around Michigan. Even the global pandemic could not stop the growth of weed dispensaries.
Michigan Medical Marijuana Laws
If you want to be counted as a patient, you need first to qualify for a Michigan medical marijuana card. and also know How To Get Medical Marijuana in Maryland Just like other people, the law allows a patient to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis and a maximum of 12 plants. The plants need to be in an enclosed and locked facility- if you can’t meet these standards, then you can’t grow the plants.
Some special rules for patients include possessing up to 16 ounces of MMJ in their homes and should be kept out of reach of other house users. The amount should be infused in solid products. Also, it would help if you locked it in a drawer or a safe. You are also allowed to have up to 36 ounces of medical cannabis that’s infused in fluids. No one will arrest, prosecute, or fine you as long as you gave the Michigan MMJ card.
So, the possession limits are as follows:
- A maximum of 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis
- Not more than 12 cannabis plants in an enclosed and locked facility
- 15 grams or less of cannabis concentrates
- 16 ounces or less of cannabis that’s found in solid products
- 36 ounces or less of liquid cannabinoids products.
Michigan Medical Marijuana Bill
Voters approved the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in 2008. The law protects patients from arrest and prosecution if found in possession of medical weed. However, you need to prove that you qualify for a Michigan medical marijuana card. To prove this, you need to present your government ID document or driver’s license along with the patient registry ID card and a clear photograph.
Qualifying Conditions
Before you get into the patient’s registry, you need to have an existing condition. However, not all situations will open doors for you to use MMJ. The list of conditions that can allow you to use medical weed in Michigan include:
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Glaucoma
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Nail-Patella Syndrome
- Agitation due to Alzheimer’s Disease
- ALS
- PTSD
- OCD
- Cerebral Palsy
- Tourette Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Colitis
- Spinal Cord injury
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Autism
- Inflammatory bowel Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
Also, you can use medical cannabis if you have a chronic or debilitating condition that features the following:
- Severe nausea
- Severe or chronic pain
- Wasting syndrome
- Seizure and epilepsy
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms
How to Get Michigan Medical Marijuana Card
Adult access to medical marijuana cards is more flexible than recreational marijuana. The first thing to qualify for a Michigan medical marijuana card is to be 18 years and above. Also, you need to have at least one medical condition listed above. Children below 18 years can use MMJ. However, they need a primary caregiver to handle all the legal documents and applications. The steps to apply for an MMJ card are as below:
- Request your medical record from your doctor. The papers should prove that you have a qualifying condition to use medical cannabis. It would be best if you got a recommendation letter from your doctor. If your doctor is reluctant about using MMJ, you can seek an opinion of a second doctor. Also, you can ask for the records directly from the doctor’s office. That way, you won’t need to explain why you need them. You need to fill out a patient’s request form and send it through the mail. The record will be mailed back to you in 5-10 business days.
- Take your documents to a medical cannabis clinic. They will assess the records and know whether you need a test. Then they will advise on the cannabis products you can use. Also, if they decline, you will know the reasons.
- The process of application is easy. Once you qualify for a Michigan medical marijuana card, you’ll pay a $200 fee for the certificate. Also, you’ll need an extra $60 for the state’s application process. The card is valid for 2 years where you’ll need to renew at $150.
- Once you have done the above processes, you can visit the DOH website and apply for the card. Also, you can submit a manual application. The information you need to include is a doctor’s advice letter, proof of identity, residency, and application or renewal fee.
Non-Resident’s Use of Marijuana
The state of Michigan allows visitors to purchase medical and recreational marijuana within the borders of Michigan. For recreational users, you need to be 21 years and above and observe Michigan’s law regarding cannabis.
MMJ patients in other states can visit and buy medical weed in Michigan soils. They need to present their patient’s registry cards and proof of identity. All the different rules are as outlined above.
Michigan Public Consumption Laws
No weed user should do so in public glare. Also, you should avoid using it in buildings where the landlords have banned any form of marijuana.
However, the state has set aside some places where you can use your drug. Those areas set aside by the municipality are only accessible to adults above 21 years.
You’d be breaking the law if you use cannabis in public. Here’s what you risk:
- You’d face a penalty of $500 when caught using marijuana in public places. Also, the state will forfeit you from Marijuana use.
- A second violation after the first penalty will attract a $1000 penalty.
- A third violation is considered a misdemeanor. You will get a $2000 penalty and a jail term. Also, you are slapped by a forfeiture of cannabis.
Michigan Cannabis DUI Laws
Although cannabis is finally legal in Michigan, that doesn’t exempt you from arrest and penalties when you break the law. Such crimes are possessing excess weed, using cannabis in public, and driving under the influence.
You break the DUI laws when you drive under the influence. Even if you are authorized to possess, deliver, use, or produce weed, you will be charged if you break DUI laws.
Michigan state laws do not allow you to control any vehicle, ship, motorboat, snowmobile, or aircraft when you use any cannabis.
First-time weed DUI warrants you 93-days imprisonment, 360 hours community service, and a $100-$500 fine.
Conclusion
You don’t need to qualify for a Michigan Medical Marijuana Card to use weed, and you can use it as long as you are 21 years and above. However, patients have their unique sets of laws that are more flexible than when using recreational marijuana. You can follow the above-discussed steps to know How To Get Medical Marijuana in Maryland.
