subject: Michigan Medical Marijuana Application Delays [print this page] Michigan Medical Marijuana Application Delays
In 2008, Michigan became the 13th state to legalizemedical cannabis for qualifying patients. In order to become a legal medical marijuana patient in Michigan, you must submit aMichigan medical marijuana application with the Michigan Dept. of Community Health (MDCH) to receive a registry identification card AKA medical marijuana card. If you've already submitted an application and are experiencing delays, you're not alone.
The MDCH is required to issue an ID card within 20 days of receiving a completed aMichigan Medical Marijuana Application and registry fee from a qualifying patient. However, many patients have reported delays of 90 days or more to receive their ID cards.According to the MDCH website, due to an overwhelming amount of Michigan medical marijuana applications received, the MDCH is "unable to issue valid registry identification cards within the statutory time frame with the resources available to us." All applications are reviewed within 15 days of receipt, but the MDCH is currently issuing identification cards for Michigan medical marijuana applications received in July.
Fortunately, a provision in the law states that after 20 days, if the department fails to issue either a card or a denial, the registry identification application "shall be deemed a valid registry identification card." So if you have submitted a Michigan medical marijuana application and you have not received a denial letter, your application is deemed valid. The statute currently allows for a copy of the application submitted to serve as a valid registry identification if the card is not issued within 20 days of its submissionto the department.
It's also important to note that incomplete applications are denied, so it is imperative that you complete your Michigan medical marijuana applications fully.
Click here to learn more about how toget medical marijuana in Michigan.
