For many, the story of Michigan marijuana laws starts in Ann Arbor, which has been at the forefront of marijuana activism since the 1970s. Almost 50 years before Michigan voters passed recreational cannabis, the small college town of Ann Arbor, Michigan was the epicenter of the turning tide against harsh penalties in the state for the possession and sale of marijuana, which could fetch a year of prison for less than two ounces or four years for any marijuana transaction.
It all came to a head in July 1969 when poet John Sinclair received 10 years for giving two marijuana joints to an undercover Detroit cop, which earned him a spot at the state penitentiary in Jackson, Michigan. Planned by Sinclair from prison, the resulting John Sinclair Freedom Rally in December 1971 at Ann Arbor's Crisler Arena included John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, and Allen Ginsberg, among others, and directly led to the release of Sinclair just three days later.
The following year, the Ann Arbor city council passed a bill that decriminalized marijuana possession down to a $5 civil ticket for up to two ounces.
In 1973, the ordinance was repealed by the city council, but voters stepped in on April 2, 1974 to uphold the $5 ticket and to prevent local authorities from making arrests under punitive Michigan marijuana laws.
In 1983, Ann Arbor voters rejected a proposed repeal of the $5 civil charge, but a 1990 referendum upped the ticket to $25, $50 and $100 for successive infractions, though it remained a civil offense.
Learn more about marijuana in Michigan
In 2004, the Ann Arbor Medical Marijuana Initiative added the cultivation of marijuana to the 1972 law, and capped fines at $100 for repeat offenders.
By 2008, Ann Arbor and Michigan marijuana laws were up for their biggest change yet when voters passed the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative by well over a million votes, 63 percent to 37 percent. The law legalized medical marijuana across the state for terminally and seriously ill patients with a doctor's recommendation. It also included provisions for medical patients to grow their own marijuana and established the medical marijuana ID card system that exists today in the state.
On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters passed Proposal 1 with 56 percent of the vote, which allows adults 21 and older to possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana in public, 10 ounces at home, and allows for the cultivation of up to 12 cannabis plants. Called the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, it made Michigan the tenth state in the U.S. and the first in the Midwest to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Paradoxically, however, there remain scant ways to obtain legal marijuana as no recreational dispensaries exist in the state -- the first are expected to open in 2020.
FAQs
Does Michigan allow medical marijuana?▼
Yes. Michigan medical marijuana laws have been on the books since 2008 when the Michigan Compassion Care Initiative was passed. The law established the medical marijuana card system and allowed patients with specific medical conditions to be certified by a health professional to use marijuana.
Children under the age of 18 are able to register as cardholders under the state medical marijuana program as long as they have recommendations from two doctors. Additionally, the cardholder's parent or legal guardian must register as a caregiver and purchase or grow the patient's marijuana.
Children under the age of 18 are able to register as cardholders under the state medical marijuana program as long as they have recommendations from two doctors. Additionally, the cardholder's parent or legal guardian must register as a caregiver and purchase or grow the patient's marijuana.
Is weed legal in Michigan?▼
Yes. On November 6, 2018, 56 percent of Michigan voters passed Proposal 1 to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Recreational marijuana became legal in Michigan on December 6, 2018.
It is illegal, however, for anyone under the age of 21 to possess or consume recreational marijuana.
It is illegal, however, for anyone under the age of 21 to possess or consume recreational marijuana.
Where are the dispensaries located in Michigan?▼
Dispensaries are located throughout the state, with clusters around Detroit, Flint, and Lansing. However, all existing dispensaries serve only medical patients, and there is currently no way to legally purchase recreational weed in Michigan. Once regulations have been established, the first recreational dispensaries are projected to open early 2020. (But even though you can't buy recreational weed just yet, our list of 420 events in Michigan can help you pass the time.)
According to Michigan marijuana laws, dispensaries may operate in any municipality that does not specifically prohibit them. Indeed, the number of dispensaries, cultivation facilities, testing centers, and product manufacturers may be limited or banned outright by local governments.
As of December 2018, about 60 licenses have been issued to marijuana businesses in the state. This includes licenses for dispensaries, growers, processors, testing facilities, and transportation services.
According to Michigan marijuana laws, dispensaries may operate in any municipality that does not specifically prohibit them. Indeed, the number of dispensaries, cultivation facilities, testing centers, and product manufacturers may be limited or banned outright by local governments.
As of December 2018, about 60 licenses have been issued to marijuana businesses in the state. This includes licenses for dispensaries, growers, processors, testing facilities, and transportation services.
Are the Michigan dispensaries recreational or medical?▼
All dispensaries in the state of Michigan serve only registered medical marijuana cardholders and their caregivers. The state will start accepting business applications for the recreational sale of cannabis by December of 2019, and recreational stores are projected to open in early 2020.
Payment Methods Accepted at Dispensaries in Michigan▼
Due to federal banking regulations, most dispensaries in Michigan operate on a cash-only basis. However, many dispensaries have an ATM on site and may be able to charge your debit card like an ATM transaction.
Michigan Grow Limits▼
Michigan recreational marijuana laws allow adults to cultivate up to 12 plants at home.
For medical marijuana patients, the limit is also 12 plants.
For medical marijuana patients, the limit is also 12 plants.
Michigan Purchasing Limits▼
Since there are no recreational marijuana dispensaries that yet exist in the state, only medical marijuana cardholders can purchase cannabis at this time.
The limit is 2.5 ounces of marijuana flower per day per registered qualifying patient, up to a maximum of 10 ounces per month, which also matches the possession limit under Michigan medical marijuana laws.
For other types of marijuana products, patients must follow the equivalency conversion of one ounce of flower marijuana, which is equal to:
The limit is 2.5 ounces of marijuana flower per day per registered qualifying patient, up to a maximum of 10 ounces per month, which also matches the possession limit under Michigan medical marijuana laws.
For other types of marijuana products, patients must follow the equivalency conversion of one ounce of flower marijuana, which is equal to:
- 16 ounces for solids such as chocolate bars, gummies and brownies
- 36 fluid ounces for liquids such as tinctures and topicals
Can you go into a dispensary when you're under 21 in Michigan?▼
Yes, but only if you are a medical marijuana patient over the age of 18.
Michigan cannabis laws currently prohibit medical marijuana minors to purchase marijuana. Instead, their parent or legal guardian must obtain it for them.
Michigan cannabis laws currently prohibit medical marijuana minors to purchase marijuana. Instead, their parent or legal guardian must obtain it for them.
How old do you have to be to purchase marijuana in Michigan?▼
You can purchase marijuana in the state only if you are a medical marijuana patient over the age of 18.
Once recreational dispensaries open, you must be over the age of 21 to purchase recreational cannabis.
Once recreational dispensaries open, you must be over the age of 21 to purchase recreational cannabis.
Do you need a medical card to buy from a dispensary in Michigan?▼
Yes, all dispensaries in Michigan are medical marijuana dispensaries and do not serve the recreational market.
Recreational marijuana dispensaries are expected to open sometime in 2020.
Recreational marijuana dispensaries are expected to open sometime in 2020.
Do you need a medical card to enter a dispensary in Michigan?▼
Yes, Michigan dispensaries are currently only open to medical marijuana patients. There is no legal way to purchase recreational marijuana at the time of writing.
Michigan Possession/Use Limits▼
According to Michigan marijuana laws, adults over the age of 21 can possess:
Medical marijuana cardholders, in addition to the limits above, can also possess:
- 5 ounces of marijuana in public
- 10 ounces of marijuana at home
- 15 grams of marijuana concentrate at home or in public
- 12 marijuana plants at home
Medical marijuana cardholders, in addition to the limits above, can also possess:
- 16 ounces of marijuana solid
- Seven grams of marijuana gas
- 36 fluid ounces of marijuana liquid
Michigan Consumption▼
Michigan marijuana laws state that consumers are not allowed to smoke or consume marijuana in any public place, including on school buses, on the property of any school, at any detention center or correctional facility, or in any manner constituting negligence.
At this time, it is not clear whether licensed facilities will allow consumption on their premises.
Landlords, employers, and property owners can prohibit a person from cultivating, smoking, distributing, selling, or displaying marijuana. However, a tenant cannot be prohibited from lawfully possessing marijuana and consuming it by means other than smoking.
At this time, it is not clear whether licensed facilities will allow consumption on their premises.
Landlords, employers, and property owners can prohibit a person from cultivating, smoking, distributing, selling, or displaying marijuana. However, a tenant cannot be prohibited from lawfully possessing marijuana and consuming it by means other than smoking.
Michigan Cultivation▼
While medical marijuana cardholders and adults over 21 can grow up to 12 plants at home, larger grow operations are heavily regulated by the state.
It costs $6,000, including any local taxes and fees, just to apply, and the state takes 3% of your gross retail receipts.
If you would like to learn more about growing cannabis in the state, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency's website is a good place to start.
It costs $6,000, including any local taxes and fees, just to apply, and the state takes 3% of your gross retail receipts.
If you would like to learn more about growing cannabis in the state, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency's website is a good place to start.
Medical At-Home Cultivation in Michigan▼
Michigan medical marijuana laws allow cardholders to grow up to 12 plants at home.
Recreational At-Home Cultivation in Michigan▼
Adults over the age of 21 can cultivate up to 12 plants at home.
Michigan Transport▼
Adults over 21 can safely transport marijuana in their vehicle as long as it is stored in a sealed container and the amount falls under the possession limit as defined by Michigan marijuana laws, which is two and a half ounces.
Medical marijuana patients or their caregivers, however, must abide by a few additional requirements:
Any valid cardholder or caregiver that violates these provisions is subject to a civil fine of no more than $250.
Keep in mind that crossing state lines with marijuana is a felony offense, so, card or no card, Michigan marijuana stays in Michigan.
Medical marijuana patients or their caregivers, however, must abide by a few additional requirements:
- They are in possession of their Michigan medical marijuana program registration card
- They are not under the influence of marijuana
- All products are labeled with the cardholder's name, product volume, manufacturer name, date produced, who the product was received from, and a receipt
- Products are in the trunk, or, in lieu of a trunk, are reasonably out of reach
Any valid cardholder or caregiver that violates these provisions is subject to a civil fine of no more than $250.
Keep in mind that crossing state lines with marijuana is a felony offense, so, card or no card, Michigan marijuana stays in Michigan.
Is Marijuana Delivery Legal in Michigan?▼
As of May 2019, a few licenses have been given to Michigan dispensaries allowing delivery to medical marijuana patients.
Marijuana and Driving in Michigan▼
Just like with alcohol, you are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, even if you are a registered medical marijuana patient.
Furthermore, Michigan marijuana laws stipulate that you cannot consume marijuana while in a vehicle in public, even as a passenger or in a parked car.
Furthermore, Michigan marijuana laws stipulate that you cannot consume marijuana while in a vehicle in public, even as a passenger or in a parked car.
Notes about Michigan Weed Laws▼
- Although it allowed medical marijuana in the state, the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative did not establish a dispensary system for patients to source their marijuana.
- Even with recreational legalization, there is no way to legally purchase recreational marijuana in the state of Michigan. Users are either expected to grow their own or wait until the state's first dispensaries open in 2020.
- Medical marijuana minors are not allowed to obtain their own marijuana -- their parent or legal guardian must purchase it from the dispensary or grow it for them.
- It costs $6,000 including local taxes and fees to apply to become a cannabis cultivator in the state. Michigan's marijuana regulatory agency also takes 3% of gross earnings.
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