Medical Marijuana Patient Eligibility

If an individual wants to inquire about their Michigan medical marijuana patient eligibility, they should consult an experienced medical marijuana lawyer who can guide them through the medical marijuana patient application process. Read on to learn more about what goes into Michigan medical marijuana patient eligibility, as well as the ways a skilled attorney could offer you their assistance today.

Medical marijuana is marijuana used in the context of a patient-caregiver relationship, with the express purpose of treating and mitigating the symptoms of chronic conditions. There is nothing that distinguished medical marijuana from other kinds of marijuana, except that it is being used by a patient who possesses a valid prescription. Medical marijuana is not being used for recreation or intoxication, but instead is being used to treat a medical condition. In fact, the medical marijuana law contains language regarding modern medical research conducted by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine that reported beneficial uses of medical marijuana in treating various medical conditions including alleviating pain, nausea, and other symptoms.

The use of medical marijuana requires a bona fide physician-patient relationship. It is not a way for someone to get a prescription to allow them to use marijuana recreationally. This means that the relationship is like any medical relationship with the doctor. The doctor obtains and reviews a patient's medical history and any relevant medical records and continues a full assessment of the patient's medical condition, confirming their Michigan medical marijuana patient eligibility. There should be an in-person medical evaluation of the patient by the doctor. The doctor should intend to continue having an ongoing relationship with the patient to monitor the effectiveness of the medical marijuana as a treatment for the debilitating condition.

The original list of debilitating medical conditions was and is contained in the statute. The law also provides for a panel to meet regularly to decide what new medical condition, if any, should be added to the list. In that regard, the Department of Licensing and Regulation is required to appoint a panel of professionals to review petitions and determine whether they should approve medical conditions or treatments to add to the list of debilitating medical conditions.

The panel is supposed to meet twice a year to review and make a recommendation to the department concerning any petitions that were submitted and that are intended to be added to the list of debilitating medical conditions. The preferred consumption method for using medical marijuana varies from patient to patient. Some patients find more relief from their symptoms by smoking medical marijuana while others receive benefits from eating marijuana-infused products. Others receive the most relief from vaporizing the medical marijuana.

If there is any doubt about whether someone can qualify as an eligible patient or caregiver, they should contact a dedicated marijuana lawyer. Meeting Michigan medical marijuana patient eligibility is not as difficult as many individuals believe it to be, especially if someone is working with a skilled attorney. There is nothing magical about becoming a patient or a caregiver. According to Section 333.26426, the law states that a caregiver only needs to meet three requirements. The caregiver must be at least 21 years old, must agree to assist a qualifying medical marijuana patient in the medical use of marijuana, and they cannot have a felony conviction involving illegal drugs, any violent felony, or any felony at all within the past 10 years.

To become a medical marijuana patient, an individual must file the appropriate form with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in the State of Michigan. That form must include complete names, full mailing address, the physician's license number who prescribed the medical marijuana, and their drug license number. The form must identify the debilitating medical condition, and the individual must have that certified by their doctor.

During this process, the patient must also indicate whether they plan to grow or cultivate their marijuana or designate a caregiver to do that. A licensed patient can grow 12 marijuana plants for personal use. If the patient designates a caregiver, they must complete a portion of the form and sign it. The completed form is sent to the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Department along with the fee of $60 if there is no caregiver and $85 if there is a caregiver. In addition, there must be a physician certification form and a copy of the patient's valid photo ID such as a driver's license. If individuals have questions about Michigan medical marijuana patient eligibility, they should not hesitate to consult with an experienced attorney for assistance.