Michigan in 2018 became the first Midwestern state to allow both medical and recreational marijuana use.
The law allows anyone 21 or older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, and to grow as many as 12 plants at home.
Registration with the state is mandatory in order to receive a valid medical marijuana card in Michigan, but the state also recognizes cards from other states.
The law requires that a patient have an established relationship with the doctor who writes his or her medical marijuana recommendation.
In November 2008, the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative (appearing on the ballot as Proposal) was approved by Michigan voters.
The measure allowed patients with a physician’s recommendation to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for treatment of certain qualifying medical conditions.
It allowed patients or their caregivers to cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants.
In September 2016, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a package of bills that among other reforms: (a) allowed the operation and regulation of medical cannabis dispensaries; (b) set a taxation rate of 3% on medical cannabis; and (c) allowed the use of non-smokable forms such as topicals and edibles.
Other Michigan Medical Marijuana Facts
- Adults age 21 and older can have marijuana.
- You can’t consume marijuana in public.
- You can’t drive while under the influence of marijuana.
- You cant cross state lines with marijuana.
- Pain was the most common qualifying condition claimed by Michigan medical marijuana patients in March 2020. About half of all patients on the state registry listed chronic or severe pain as a reason. Arthritis accounted for about a quarter of users, according to the state.
- The law has very strong built-in doctor protections: a doctor may not be arrested, prosecuted or penalized in any manner, or be denied any right or privilege, for discussing medical marijuana with a patient. This includes protection from civil penalties and disciplinary actions by state medical boards.
- Caregivers are allowed to grow and possess medical marijuana for as many as five patients.
- Michigan law requires that MMMP approve or deny an application within 15 business days of the date the application is received.
- About 79% of Michigan municipalities have banned recreational marijuana dispensaries, according to the Detroit Metro Times.
- That’s almost 1,400 villages, townships, and cities. In these places, it is illegal to buy recreational marijuana from retailers.
- Where it is legal, you can buy up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. But you can’t have more than 15 grams of marijuana in the form of marijuana concentrate at one time. You can only carry up to these amounts as well.
- At home, you can keep up to 10 ounces of marijuana flower as long as it’s in a secure location.
- The state of Michigan doesn’t have a limit for how much THC can be in a marijuana product. This means that consumers are responsible for checking THC concentrations.
For more on Medicinal uses, facts, and information, check out more below:
What’s the Most Popular Edible and Vaping Product in MI Right Now? You May Be Surprised…
When the state of Michigan passed a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana, I was incredibly excited. Over the years, I’ve read studies about the therapeutic and medical effects of marijuana, and I’m eager to try out a marijuana-based product.
How Smoking/Vaping Cannabis Is Helping Those Who Suffer From ADD to be More Focused
When I was a little kid, a child psychologist told me that I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — which used to be known simply as attention deficit disorder (ADD). At the time, I didn’t worry too much because I thought that it would just go away like the typical afflictions.
The Joy of Smoking After a Long Workday
Marijuana use in the United States is becoming more medically and recreationally acceptable. While many states have made critical steps to legalize its use, the stigma around the pot in the workplace still lives on. So, does the use of marijuana after a long workday affect your performance?
Enjoy Life With Less Anxiety and Stress Using Cannabis
As more states legalize cannabis use, the number of people turning to it to manage overwhelming anxiety and stress is increasing. However, there has been much discussion in the medical community and among citizens on the benefits of cannabis.
CBD Use Among Seniors is Increasing, Here’s Why
Cannabis legalization in many states for recreational and medical purposes is driving a surge in interest in its benefit to treating various long-term symptoms and conditions. Among the new users are older adults. An increasing number of adults between 70 to 90 are learning how marijuana may relieve some medical conditions that come with their mature years.
How to Apply for a Michigan Medical Marijuana Card
Back in 2008, voters in Michigan approved the formulation of the legalization of medical marijuana. The legislation legalized the medical use of marijuana, provides patients with legal protection, and established a state marijuana patient registry.
MI Vets Can Now Discuss Therapeutic Cannabis Products with MI Pet Owners
In late December 2020, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law House Bill 5085, allowing veterinarians to consult with pet owners on the use of hemp or marijuana products for their animals. A legislative analysis, titled “Allow Consultation with Veterinarian on Use of Marijuana or Industrial Hemp on an Animal”, notes that it opens up the vets’ freedom to either advice against or recommend offering pets cannabis in different forms. Research has shown the ability of cannabis to aid in the management of common ailments in pets, such as lowering stress levels and reducing inflammation.
State and Federal Cannabis Laws for Businesses – What’s Legal and What Isn’t?
Having marijuana become legal medically or recreationally in certain parts of the country is all well and good. The fact remains that it’s still illegal at the federal level and that status shows no sign of changing. Luckily, it seems like federal laws are only thrown into the mix for people who acquire, grow, or distribute large quantities of marijuana. Anyone who decides that they will continue to follow the laws in their state will have a much lower chance of facing penalties. This is why it’s important to continue to be careful even though the legal status has changed.
Getting to the Bottom of Tainted THC and Vaping
In 2019, a cloud fell over the marijuana industry that had nothing to do with their product being smoked. This cloud came in the form of people suddenly becoming ill with serious, life threatening lung diseases. Officials were left scratching their heads trying to figure out what was going on. Eventually they came to the conclusion that it had something to do with vaping, but they were having a hard time figuring out the exact cause. This confusion resulted in a ban on flavored nicotine vaping cartridges and considerably more scrutiny and regulations being placed on the industry.
Here’s How You Can Purchase Cannabis Online
Figuring out how to order marijuana legally online might seem tricky at first, but it’s something that’s becoming easier by the day. Many dispensaries located in legal states allow their customers to place orders online, which are delivered through various third-party services. The current pandemic is allowing for customers to place their orders online and pick them up curbside at their local dispensary. Unfortunately, since people are so desperate to get their hands on this product when they need it, a slew of illegal delivery options have popped up.
The Long-Term Effects of Cannabis; Vaping vs. Smoking
A large part of the choice between smoking and vaping comes down to an individual user’s personal preference, but there are other factors that can impact which one you choose. Understanding the long term effects of using cannabis and the different methods of consumption before you choose one or the other to use on a regular basis will help you make an informed decision you can be comfortable with over the long term. Here are a few things you should know about each method of smoking cannabis and how they work before selecting one.
The Impact of Cannabis and CBD on Cancer Patients
The positive effects of the availability of cannabis/CBD on cancer patients in MI can’t be understated. Thanks to Michigan’s laws on marijuana legalization, any cancer patient can access cannabis in edible or smokable form to relieve the symptoms of traditional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. As more research is conducted that shows the positive effects of cannabis use, more doctors and patients are embracing the use of cannabis as part of cancer treatment and recovery.
Why Does Weed Cost So Much?
As the state of Michigan continues to rake in money from the sale of recreational marijuana, many people in the state wonder why it is that the cannabis products they buy aren’t decreasing in price. For those who shop for marijuana often, it may seem that the cost of cannabis products is too high and stays that way over time. Compared to the price of marijuana in other states where it is legal, it’s true that Michigan can be more expensive, especially when compared with states like Colorado or Oregon. These states have well established recreational marijuana programs and plenty of supply to feed the market after years of working out the kinks in the system.
How are Michigan Senior Citizens Enjoying Cannabis?
If you’re a senior citizen who is getting ready to try marijuana for the first time in decades, you might be surprised by the other customers you see in the store with you. All across the nation, and here in Michigan, seniors make up a large portion of the people purchasing marijuana products. While some may just be looking to have fun by experimenting with the legal cannabis products, the majority are there to seek a natural form of relief from medical ailments.
Cannabis is Revolutionizing the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is more than feeling stressed out for a day or two. Millions of people worldwide are diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) which is defined by the Mayo Clinic as, “excessive, ongoing anxiety and worry that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities.” They continue to explain that the symptoms vary from person to person, but if not treated can worsen over time causing both serious emotional and physical issues. Treatment for GAD traditionally includes a combination of prescription medication and behavior therapy.
Anatomy of a Vape Pen
Vape pens or harsh oil pens are designed as a vaporizer for cannabis and oils. These handheld devices use battery power to turn liquid and oil into a vapor that is inhaled into the lungs. Vape pens are not all created equally and there are many varieties on the market designed for many different products. They are called pens because their small compact design looks similar to a writing pen. Today, we’re breaking down the anatomy of a standard vape pen meant to fill with cannabis oil.
What are Live Resin Cannabis Concentrates?
With many different types of medical marijuana products on the market, understanding what each one is, how potent they are and the best ways to consume them can be difficult. At your local dispensary, you may see a variety of cannabis concentrates, which are extracted directly from the plant before it is dried and cured. Live resin concentrates are one of the newest products for those who may not want to consume flower or edible forms of cannabis. Read on to learn more about what live resin is, how it is made and how you can use it.
Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid…What are the Differences?
One of the first questions you’ll encounter when you start purchasing medical marijuana is whether you prefer an indica, sativa or a hybrid strain. If you’re new to the world of marijuana or have only purchased it from unlicensed sellers who only offer one strain, you may not be aware of what these terms mean and how the strains differ. Understanding the difference between each of the types of cannabis plants can help you have a better experience when you purchase and use the product.
The Best Strains of Cannabis For Depression
According to the Mayo Clinic, “depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest and affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.” And according to the World Health Organization 264 million people affected by this debilitating disorder. Through the years medical professionals have treated depression in many different ways including prescription medicines and behavioral therapy.
Cooking with Cannabis? Start Here.
Cooking with cannabis can be somewhat intimidating for beginners but once you know the basics, you will see that cannabis is simply another ingredient for your favorite recipes. Since you are interested in learning more about cooking with cannabis, here are some basics to get you started on your recipe for success.
How to Store Marijuana – A Quick Guide
Taking time to take care of your cannabis will make the difference between a good experience or not so good experience. It doesn’t matter if you grow your own and are looking for proper storage protocol or buy different buds from local dispensaries and need to store it in-between visits. There are a few basics to follow. Here is a quick guide.
Moving from Opioids to CBD for Pain Management – Here’s How to Do It
When dealing with severe pain, opioids can seem like a lifesaver—for a while. Over time, you can end up developing a tolerance to them, meaning you’ll require more and more in order to get the same result. As this happens, you can also end up becoming dependent on them.
Most Popular Health Reasons & Medical Conditions for using Cannabis & CBD
The drums of advocates and opponents of medical cannabis continue to beat but it seems a winner is coming out. More than half of US states including Michigan have now legalized medical marijuana and if this trend continues, the federal government may be convinced to reclassify cannabis as a schedule II drug just like Ritalin. Medical cannabis is the use of chemicals found in marijuana to treat or manage diseases and health conditions.
How Long Does Cannabis & CBD Take to Work, and Why?
The continuing legalization of medical cannabis by different US states is a ray of hope that perhaps this form of treatment may help millions of people suffering from chronic diseases that are yet to be tamed by modern medicine. Inflammation, depression, psychosis, convulsions and Neurodegeneration are the health disorders that cannabis/CBD have been shown to manage therapeutically even better than approved medications. The limited clinical data that back these claims together with the federal classification of marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance only add to the confusion of using this form of treatment.
Water Soluble, Nano-Emulsified CBD – The Benefits
If you follow news and updates in the CBD world at all, you may have heard terms like nano CBD, nano-emulsified CBD, or water soluble CBD. In fact, they’re all just different terms for the same process. So what is nano CBD? How does it differ from regular CBD oil? Is it better? What are the benefits? Let’s take a look.
7 Benefits of CBD Oil
Cannabinoids is a group of chemicals found in the Cannabis sativa plant. About 113 of them have been identified and they make up to 40% of the total cannabis extract. Cannabinoidol or CBD is one of the most abundant cannabinoid that dominate the hemp plants.
New Hemp and Cannabis & CBD Laws and What It Means for Michigan Residents
The legalization of medical marijuana in Michigan was initiated in 2008 under the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative. Later in November of 2018, the adult use of cannabis was also legalized under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. In January of 2019, hemp and Cannabinoidol (CBD) derived from it was further legalized this time under the Michigan Industrial Hemp Research and Development Act.
What Is Nano-Emulsified CBD?
CBD is generally used in oil form. Even if you’re not using CBD oil directly, most products that contain CBD are made by mixing in CBD oil. It can be effective, but there’s one problem. The human body is made up of mostly water. And oil and water don’t mix. That’s why it can take some time for CBD to be absorbed into the body.
The Benefits of Broad Spectrum & Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
If you are on the mission of finding a good hemp oil product for its medicinal value, you may have come across descriptions like broad and full spectrum hemp. These descriptions can be confusing especially if you have no prior experience of using hemp oil.
Cannabis & COVID 19 – Can It Help?
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, the effective cure or vaccine for this viral disease is yet to be found. Researchers around the world are scratching their heads looking for any leads as the answer could just lie in anything. Being one of the oldest medicinal drugs in the world, cannabis may as well be a good candidate for COVID-19 treatment.
CBD & Cannabis Dosing Guide
Just like all other drugs, CBD and cannabis products in general are subject to dosing because too much of it can be dangerous while too low of it beats the logic of using it in the first place.
What you’re allowed to Grow and Use as a Medicinal Card Holder
Medical marijuana is the use of the leaves, flowers and buds of the hemp plant cannabis sativa to help treat symptoms associated with diseases like cancer, arthritis and AIDS among many others. While it is against the federal law in the United States to deal with marijuana for any purpose, as many as 33 states have passed legislation to allow the use of medical marijuana. The state of Michigan joined other states that allowed the use of medical marijuana in the year 2008 after the voters passed a ballot proposal by a large margin. The laws were later enacted which gave birth to the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA). Although confusing at first, it has undergone amendments over the years to clarify its ambiguities in accordance with the original intent of the people.
How to Find Doctors That Will Help With Obtaining a Card
A medical marijuana card is an identification card issued by a state/country that recognizes medical cannabis. This card enables a patient with a doctor’s recommendation to obtain, possess or cultivate cannabis only for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal vs. Recreational Laws on the Use of Marijuana in Michigan
It all started with the state California legalizing medical cannabis in the year 1996 and since then, the trend has continued to spread to now 33 out of 50 US states. Of this, only 11 have legalized the total recreational use of Marijuana and this list is getting longer by the year. The federal laws still classify marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance: a high dependency drug with no acceptable medical use making its distribution a federal offence. This is the reason why the federal prescription of marijuana is prohibited and is usually referred to as recommendations or referrals.
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