QUALIFYING PATIENTS IN MICHIGAN

After your licensed doctor has recommended medical cannabis to treat one of the eligible conditions found below, you must make an account and complete the online application. You will need proof of residency in the state of Michigan and there is a $40 application fee.

Eligible conditions:

Patients diagnosed with one of the following conditions may be eligible to register as medical cannabis patients in the state of Michigan:

  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • Hepatitis C
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Nail Patella (NPS or Turner-Kiser syndrome)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces the following:
    • Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
    • Severe and chronic pain
    • Severe nausea
    • Seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy
    • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis
  • Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the marijuana regulatory agency

Becoming a Patient as a Minor:

Individuals under the age of eighteen in Michigan must receive certifications from two separate physicians. They must also provide proof of Michigan residency. A declaration of responsibility signed by the parent or legal guardian also certifies them as an official caregiver on behalf of the applying patient; signing this document acknowledges that you have been explained the risks of medical cannabis and will take on the responsibility of acquisition, dosage, and frequency of the medical use of cannabis by the patient. There is a $40 application fee for minors.

Benefits of Being a Patient:

Though cannabis is legal for all adults in the state of Michigan, patients are protected in several ways that recreational users are not. State law prevents employers from disciplinary action taken based on your status as a medical cannabis patient, but it does not protect you from a disciplinary action as a result of cannabis use in the workplace. Patients shall not be denied custody or visitation rights based on their enrollment as medical cannabis patients.

Becoming a Caregiver:

In Michigan caregiver status is attained through fields in the forms filled out by patients during their application. Your prospective patient must designate you as their caregiver in their application. You may serve as a caregiver for up to five patients and may cultivate up to twelve plants on behalf of each patient.

Out of State Patients:

Michigan recognizes out of state patient registrations from equivalent programs. For more information about traveling as a medical cannabis patient, check out our Travel Guide.

Home Cultivation:

Any individual over the age of 21 may grow up to twelve cannabis plants at any stage of maturity. No matter how many adults live in a household, the limit remains twelve plants at any stage.

Cannabis Expungement:

In 2020, House Bill 4982 was signed allowing the courts to set aside certain cannabis misdemeanors that were decriminalized. House Bill 5120 allows anyone to appeal if the courts choose not to have their records set aside. For more information refer to HB 4982 and the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

 

Medical cannabis patients can find additional resources here

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