The world of recreational and medical cannabis in Michigan can be confusing. If you’re trying to figure out the cannabis laws in Michigan, this post is for you! We’re going to cover a lot of ground in this post, including current cannabis laws in Michigan, the difference between medical and recreational marijuana, where you can consume, which dispensary to visit, whether you need a medical card, and how much marijuana you can buy.
Cannabis Laws in Michigan
Michigan cannabis laws divide marijuana in two different categories: recreational and medical. We’ll take a look at both of these in this section.
What is Recreational Marijuana?
If you don’t have a qualifying medical condition, you’re going to be shopping for recreational marijana. Essentially, recreational cannabis refers to any marijuana that a user consumes for fun. Think of it as taking the edge off a hard day, the same way you would with a beer or glass of wine.
While recreational marijuana may be the most popular type of cannabis in Michigan right now, it’s actually newer than medical marijuana is. Michigan legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, making it the first Midwestern state to do so. The first legal recreational cannabis sales took place in 2019. Since then, Michigan’s legal cannabis industry has bloomed into one of the most developed markets in the country. You can buy recreational marijuana in any state-licensed adult-use dispensary.
What is Medical Marijuana?
In contrast to recreational customers, medical marijuana patients use their cannabis to help alleviate some kind of condition or symptom. The state has recognized several qualifying conditions that doctors may prescribe cannabis for (more on that later).
How Much Does Cannabis Cost at Dispensaries in Michigan?
With so many different types of recreational and medical products that exist on dispensary shelves in Michigan, it’s impossible to give a single number for the cost of cannabis. One thing that we can say for sure though is that medical cannabis typically costs less than recreational marijuana does. That’s because the state doesn’t tax medical sales as much as they do recreational customers to help keep medicine costs more manageable for patients.
Who Can Purchase Marijuana in Michigan?
As we mentioned earlier, the state of Michigan divides cannabis into recreational and medical categories. One of the major differences in these classifications regards who may shop for them. We’ll take a look at those differences here.
Recreational Cannabis Buyers
Recreational cannabis has the fewest restrictions on consumers. Anyone in Michigan can purchase recreational cannabis as long as they’re 21 years of age or older. That includes out-of-state residents who come to Michigan to visit. As long as they have a valid state-issued ID proving their age is above 21, they can legally purchase recreational cannabis. That’s why some cannabis businesses and customers alike refer to recreational marijuana as “adult-use cannabis.”
Medical Cannabis Patients
Medical marijuana laws work a little differently than recreational ones. The main difference is who can purchase medical marijuana.
In order to purchase medical cannabis products, you must be a registered medical patient. That means you’ll need to find a doctor to diagnose you with one of Michigan’s recognized qualifying conditions. The state recognizes several conditions for medical cannabis use including:
- ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease)
- Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Autism
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Pain
- Colitis and Ulcerative Colitis
- Croh’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- IBS
- Nail-Patella Syndrome
- Parkinson’s Disease
- PTSD
- Spinal Cord Injuries
In addition to these specific conditions, the state also allows a medical marijuana to a patient suffering from anything that triggers these symptoms:
- Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
- Chronic and Severe Pain
- Persistent muscle spasms, including those resulting from Multiple Sclerosis
- Seizures
- Severe Nausea
Once you receive a doctor’s diagnosis for one or more of these conditions, you’ll need to register with the state. Medical patients can receive a cannabis prescription at age 18, in contrast to recreational customers. You can learn more about the state’s registration process on their website.
Where Can I Consume Cannabis in Michigan?
Okay, so we’ve covered the different types of cannabis in Michigan and who can buy it. But buying all of the marijuana in the world won’t do you any good if you can’t consume it!
Michigan does have some laws that dictate where you can use cannabis products. First off, you can’t use them in public. What’s more, many private businesses have a strict no-cannabis policy. As a result, you’ll be consuming most of the cannabis you buy in the comfort of your own home.
However, you may be able to consume in a totally new type of place fairly soon. In March of 2022, the state of Michigan approved the first cannabis consumption lounge license. The club, known as “Hot Box Social,” hasn’t opened yet. But when it eventually does, you’ll be able to find it on John R Road between 9 Mile Road and Woodward Heights Blvd.
Your Exclusive Source for Cannabis in Michigan
Need to pick up some medical or recreational cannabis to help refill your stash? Stop by any of our Michigan dispensaries, including our Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, or Grand Rapids dispensary to fill your personalized cannabis needs. We look forward to seeing you!
