October 30, 2019 – The Marijuana Regulatory Agency announced today that new administrative rules for the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) are now in effect. The new rules lowered the registry card application fee by 33 percent while eliminating fees associated with processing updates or replacing marijuana registry cards.
“Our team has worked hard over the last year to streamline the process for Michigan’s medical marijuana cardholders,” said MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo. “Not only have we lowered the costs, but we’ve made it significantly easier for patients to apply for – and receive – their registry cards.”
The MMMA was passed by Michigan voters in 2008 and authorizes the medical use of marijuana for qualifying patients and provides for the issuance of registry identification cards to qualifying patients and their caregivers, if applicable.
Highlights of the new changes are as follows:
- The patient application fee (for a two-year card) has been reduced from $60.00 to $40.00.
- The $25.00 caregiver criminal background check processing fee has been eliminated.
- The $10.00 fee has been eliminated for the following services:
- Update the name or address on a registry card
- Add or remove a caregiver
- Request a replacement card
- The renewal period for patients has increased from 60 to 90 days.
- A provision is now in effect that authorizes patients to change the person designated to be in possession of the plants.
- Email is now included as a method by which the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) may contact a patient, caregiver, or physician.
The new rule changes come shortly after the MRA expanded the MMMP online processes to allow marijuana patients in Michigan who apply for their marijuana registry card online to use their approval email as a temporary substitute for a valid registry card in order to obtain their medication the same day they are approved.
The email that patients receive after an approved online application serves as a temporary substitute for a valid registry card. This approval email is valid until patients receive their card in the mail or for up to 15 days from the date of the approval email.
As a result, patients do not have to wait to receive their registry cards in the mail and will be able to purchase or obtain medication the same day they are approved. A valid driver’s license or government-issued identification card with a photographic image is also required to purchase marijuana.
To utilize this online service please visit www.michigan.gov/mmp and note the following:
- A patient’s certifying physician must have an online account with the MMMP
- A patient must register for an online account
- The patient must submit an online application
If you have questions about the temporary card or about the online application process, please call the Marijuana Regulatory Agency MMMP Division at 517-284-6400.
