Michigan Cannabis and Marijuana License

Michigan marijuana and cannabis license got legal in 2008. That makes Michigan the 13^th state to legalize marijuana consumption. However, no sooner than 2018 Michigan state government legalized the use of recreational marijuana.

Note that each municipality in the state has different regulations. You need to check with the local legislation as well while traveling through the state. But no need to worry! This article covers every detail you need to know about the Michigan marijuana license and more.

Cannabis and Marijuana License – What is Legal in Michigan?

Here are some cases when cannabis consumption or cultivation is legal in Michigan.

• First, the law allows individuals 21 and older to buy and legally carry cannabis of 70 grams.
• If the patient holds medical marijuana (MMJ) card, they can possess, consume and purchase medical cannabis.
• Adults and MMJ cardholders can grow cannabis if all standards are met.

What is Illegal in Michigan?

However, there are some cases where marijuana and cannabis license is not legal. For example, you cannot:

• Consume marijuana in public places of Michigan,
• Drive after consuming marijuana,
• Export or mail cannabis across the state of Michigan,
• Carry more than 70 grams of cannabis.

How to Get a Michigan Marijuana and Cannabis License?

Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MJA) regulates all license types for cannabis and marijuana in Michigan. Only the residents of Michigan can get a license of any type. Below you can find some of the most important requirements. Without these, it is impossible to receive a Michigan cannabis and marijuana license.

• Registry identification card
• Completed application form
• Legal name, address, and date of birth of the applicant
• Physician’s name, mailing address, and telephone number (in case of a medical license application)
• Information about the caregiver (if applicable)
• Proof of the applicant’s Michigan residency
• A copy of a valid Michigan voter registration
• If the applicant is under the age of 18, a declaration from a responsible person

Grower License

If you are planning to start a commercial cannabis business, you need to acquire a cannabis grower license. Michigan marijuana grower license allows cultivating and trading marijuana with other commercial entities. However, there are two types of grower licenses available. One is for adult use, and the other is for medical purposes. In both cases, the Michigan marijuana and cannabis grower license allows:

• Sell marijuana plants, seeds, clones to other licensed growers,
• Trade marijuana flowers with licensed processors and cultivators.

Aside from the purpose, the license is divided into 3 other types. They are based on the amount that the applicant is planning to grow. In the case of a medical marijuana grower license, three classes are available.

• A: 500 plants
• B: 1000 plants
• C: 1500 plants

The allowed amounts for adult-use marijuana grower licenses are a little bit lower.

• A: 100 plants
• B: 500 plants
• C: 2000 plants

How to Get a Michigan Marijuana Grower License?

You can apply for a Michigan marijuana grower license both online and paper-based. The application consists of pre-qualification and license qualification stages. During the pre-qualification stage, the establishment needs to undergo some background checks. That is to ensure that there are no cases of any type of crime. In addition, a background check assures that the applicant holds the authority to represent the facility.

During the second step, the facility must submit the type of desired application. Not to forget about the location of their operations. The facility may also have to submit a business plan based on specific requirements. Below you can find the list of some supplementary documents needed for the second stage of the application:

• Official registration document of the business
• Copy of all governing documents
• Certificate of good standing
• Approval to start and operate a business in Michigan
• Trademark or any other copyright registration documents
• Copy of organizational structure
• Certificate of the assumed name

At the end of the application, there is also a section about the financial operations of the company. The applicant company should present information about its operations for the last 3 years.

Michigan Marijuana Manufacturer License

Michigan marijuana manufacturer license enables to cultivate and sell cannabis legally. However, there are certain requirements for each stage of the manufacturing process.

1. All security requirements and passes need to be met.
2. The cultivation is performed indoors.
3. Outdoor cultivation of cannabis is legal only if the fully enclosed area has fences or barriers. It is to ensure that the cultivation field is not seen from the outside.
4. No banned chemical substances are used during the cultivation of cannabis.
5. All transporters of marijuana that work in the company must hold appropriate licenses.
6. All packages are transported in locked, sealed, and secured containers.
7. The company owns an in-house laboratory that complies with all regulations listed in the Marijuana Operations Regulation by the State Government of Michigan.

Michigan Marijuana Microbusiness License

A microbusiness is a company or a person who:

• cultivates up to 150 cannabis plants,
• processes cannabis into edible products,
• packages the finished goods,
• sells to adults of age 21 and higher.

The difference with a retailer license is that the microbusiness does not allow transferring any cannabis finished or unfinished products.

Only residents of Michigan are eligible to apply for a Michigan marijuana microbusiness license. However, some municipalities either do not allow operations of a microbusiness or have no final decision regarding the matter, yet. So, before deciding to open a microbusiness, always check with your local municipality.

How to Apply for Michigan Marijuana Microbusiness License

The application process is the same as that of the medical facilities described in the last section of this article. It is divided into two steps: prequalification and license application.

Michigan Marijuana Dispensary License

According to Michigan Marijuana dispensary license regulations, marijuana dispensaries need to be located away from residential places and educational institutions.

The same dispensary establishment can sell both medical and adult-use recreational marijuana. Nothing is lawful unless labeling, tax, and customer, verification processes are performed according to the legislation.

To be considered a consumption site, the dispensary needs to have a separate license. After acquiring the license, the dispensary can have a separate smoking lounge. In addition, it is prohibited to serve food or alcohol in those establishments.

Michigan Marijuana Retailer License

Those applicants, who already hold a license to sell medical marijuana, can have permission to apply for a recreational retail license. That means that the only way to receive a Michigan marijuana retailer license is to have a medical marijuana provision facility license at first.

Medical Marijuana License in Michigan

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) is under the regulation of the Marijuana Regulatory Agency, as any other marijuana license type. The license is intended for either medical facilities or patients. The registration process is different for each license type.

If you are looking for a patient-only medical marijuana license, you need to fill in the online application. It is available on the Michigan State Government official website. To get qualified, you must be either a patient without a caregiver or a patient willing to remove their caregiver. If you meet these criteria, all you need to do is create a secure online account and fill in the online application.

Application Stages

In the case of medical facilities, there are two steps to the licensing process: prequalification and facility licensing. After completing all of the required steps, it may take up to 180 days to receive an approval or denial letter. Below you can find the two steps of the medical facility license application.

1. Prequalification: During this stage, the establishment needs to undergo some background checks. That is to  make sure that the applicant meets all preliminary requirements for a medical facility. The application fee for this stage is $6000, which is non-refundable.

Both main and supplementary applicants must submit applications for this stage. The main applicant is the one, who wants to hold the marijuana facility license under their name. The applicant can be either an entity or an individual. Supplementary applicants are all managerial workers, entities, or individuals with greater than 10% ownership of the facility.

2. Application: This stage reviews the application as a whole. Afterward, combined with the performed background check, it informs the applicant about the license status. We do not recommend applying for this stage until the facility is ready to operate.