Is Weed Legal in Michigan? MI Cannabis Laws (June 2023)
This guide covers the legal status of marijuana in Michigan. We explore recreational and medical laws and answer the most frequently asked questions, including possession limits, growing public consumption, and the legality of delta-8 THC.
- Marijuana is legal in Michigan for both medical and recreational use. Recreational dispensaries opened in December 2019.
- Adults 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis or grow up to 12 plants for personal use inside their homes.
- Personal possession limits on private property reach 10 ounces of marijuana.
- Medical marijuana patients are subject to the same regulations and possession/cultivation limits as recreational users.
- Hemp-derived delta-8 THC is legal, but licensed businesses must sell it.
Is Weed Legal in Michigan?
Yes, weed is legal in Michigan for both recreational and medical use. There are virtually no differences in possession limits and product availability between both groups.
Related: In what states is weed legal?
Is Recreational Marijuana Legal in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan allows anyone 21 and over to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or grow up to 12 cannabis plants for personal use indoors.
If you meet the legal age criteria, you can legally store up to 10 ounces inside your home — so long as no third party can access it without your knowledge.
You may additionally possess up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrate.
The first recreational dispensaries opened in 2019, offering various products, from flowers and edibles to tinctures, edibles, vapes, and concentrates.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Michigan?
Yes. Medical marijuana had been legal long before the first recreational dispensaries opened; voters approved the legalization bill in 2008.
Patients with a medical marijuana card can buy their medicine from state-licensed dispensaries. They’re subject to similar possession and cultivation limits as recreational patients, although these limits can be extended under certain circumstances.
Penalties for Marijuana Possession
Wondering what happens if you breach the legal limits for marijuana possession in Michigan?
Here are a few examples:
- Possession of more than 2.5 ounces but less than 5 ounces is a civil offense punishable by a $500 fine.
- More than 5 ounces will result in misdemeanor charges, which carry the same penalty for first-time offenders.
- Selling marijuana without a license is a felony punishable by 4–15 years in prison and $20,000 – $10,000,000 in fines depending on the amount sold.
Is Weed Decriminalized in Michigan?
Yes. As long as you’re carrying up to 2.5 ounces of weed, you won’t even be fined.
Delta-8 THC: A Better Alternative to Marijuana in Michigan
Michigan has a robust marijuana market. This year alone, it broke a monthly sales record of $212 million. You can buy weed locally and order it online with a delivery service.
However, not all people fancy high-THC products, even cannabis aficionados. Some people are overly sensitive to the psychedelic nature of delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in weed.
Don’t worry; there’s a federally legal alternative if you want to enjoy the cannabis buzz but without too much cerebral stimulation.
Does delta-8 THC ring a bell?
I’ll get to it in a bit, but first, let’s focus on why some people choose to avoid weed and delta-9 products.
Cons of Delta-9 THC from Marijuana
Delta-9 THC is a psychedelic compound with dose-dependent effects. Low and moderate doses are relaxing; they also ease pain, improve cognition, and elevate mood.
Larger doses get you high, triggering euphoria and giggles, and altering your thinking patterns and perception of time. You also become hungry and sleepy over time; however, some marijuana strains can be particularly energizing.
However, for some individuals, delta-9 THC reveals its biphasic nature, aggravating anxiety and inducing a few physiological reactions.
The side effects of too much THC include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Feelings of discomfort
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Increased heart rate
- Short-term memory problems
Effects and Benefits of Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 and delta-9 are different versions of the THC molecule. They share the same chemical formula, but their structure is slightly different.
Delta-8 THC comes with a double bond at the eighth carbon chain, while delta-9 THC has this bond at the ninth chain. This difference makes delta-8 THC twice less potent than delta-9.
In other words, by taking twice the amount, delta 8 THC gets you high as regular weed does.
That’s why delta-8 is called “diet weed” or “cannabis light.”
Lower potency also means a lower risk of anxiety and paranoia. While it does happen, it requires a much higher dose to breach a safe threshold.
People use delta-8 THC for its benefits, which are similar to marijuana. These include:
- Anti-nausea
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Increased appetite
- Feelings of calmness and relaxation
- Euphoria
- Neuroprotection
Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Michigan?
Delta-8 THC is legal in Michigan, but it’s also strictly regulated. The state law requires manufacturers to obtain licenses for making cannabis products, including delta-8 THC extracts.
You may only purchase them in recreational marijuana dispensaries because the lawmakers consider unauthorized online and local stores illegal.
The above contradicts the federal law created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized all hemp-derived products as long as they contain 0.3% delta-9 THC or less.
You can try buying online, but not all delta-8 companies ship their products there.
Benefits of Buying Delta-8 THC Online
Shopping for delta-8 THC online comes with three major perks:
- Lower prices: online retailers can cut out the middleman, hence better deals on high-quality products. You can further save more money by joining reward programs or subscription payments or by using coupon codes.
- More research tools: buying delta-8 THC online is safer because you have more opportunities to do a background check on your potential vendor. You can look into certificates of analysis (CoAs), read customer reviews, and reach out to other users on social media and forums like Reddit to get a bigger picture.
- Convenience: getting your ‘greens’ from an online vendor is a huge time saver. Of course, you need to wait those extra 2-3 days for the delivery, but you don’t need to waste time bouncing from one store to another only to find they’re selling suspiciously-looking vape juice in brash packaging. You can explore dozens of formulas and compare their prices in the comfort of your home.
Best Online Delta-8 THC Stores
It’s true that buying delta-8 THC online has the upper hand over local errands, but it’s not always sunshine and rainbows.
Sometimes, it’s a weird place where you can stumble on overpriced, mediocre products marketed as premium carts, tinctures, or gummies.
Finding a trustworthy source of delta-8 requires a serious amount of research, not to mention the knowledge of the parameters on third-party lab reports.
If you’re in a hurry, feel free to use my personal shortlist of the best delta-8 stores. These two brands have been supplying my cognitive health for the last two years with great results. Both test their products rigorously in ISO-certified laboratories for potency and contaminants to ensure maximum safety.
1. Area 52
Get 15% off all Area 52 products. Use code “CFAH” at checkout.
Area 52 is a Nevada-based manufacturer whose slogan is “alienize your state of mind,” which is a clear indicator of its product line-up. The brand entered the hemp market with its selection of premium delta-8 THC products, such as tinctures, gummies, vape carts, and pre-rolled joints.
Not only are these products potent — packing between 25–40 mg of delta-8 per serving — but they’re also rich in terpenes, contributing to the entourage effect and potentiating the buzz.
Area 52 has recently released a line of “true-full spectrum” products featuring innovative formats like delta-8 THC honey, as well as more common products, such as CBG Energy Gummies, CBN Sleep Gummies, Immunity Gummies, and HHC gummies.
2. Finest Labs
Finest Labs is a company with a scientific, no-BS approach to cannabinoids. The team is working toward innovations, creating highly bioavailable products in simple yet effective formulas.
You can choose between tinctures, gummies, and vape pens, all derived from different cannabis strains to diversify your experience and tailor the effects to your health needs.
The product selection is limited but what’s on offer is second to none when it comes to quality and potency.
Finest Labs also specializes in botanical terpenes, offering single terpenes and special blends that recreate the flavor and aroma of various specific cannabis strains.
FAQs
Who Can Use Medical Marijuana in Michigan?
You may apply for a medical cannabis card in Michigan if you suffer from one of the following conditions:
- Arthritis
- HIV/AIDS
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Crohn’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Spinal cord injury
- Colitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Autism
- Tourette syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Severe chronic pain
- Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Cachexia
Can You Grow Weed in Michigan?
Yes, adult marijuana consumers (21 years or older) may grow up to 12 plants indoors. The same limits apply to recreational and medical users.
Can You Smoke Marijuana in Public?
Michigan’s recreational marijuana law is clear about public consumption. Smoking weed in public is prohibited, and by violating this law, you’re putting yourself at risk of a $500 fine and forfeiture of the marijuana.
A second offense may increase the fine to $1,000. The police will also confiscate your weed.
A third violation may result in misdemeanor charges; you won’t land in jail, but you may face a fine of up to $2,000.
Guess what? You’ll need to forfeit the weed.
Can You Travel With Weed in Michigan?
Yes, you can travel with weed in Michigan, but you can’t drive under the influence. As in the rest of the world, driving high is illegal in Michigan.
Any person found guilty of a DUI can be sentenced to prison for 90 3 days, receive a $100–500 fine, and/or be sent to spend 360 hours during community service.
Subsequent offenses result in hefty fines and increased jail time.
Is Buying Weed Online an Option in Michigan?
Yes. You can buy weed online in Michigan, both for pick-up and delivery. However, it must be done through licensed providers.
Is CBD Oil From Hemp Legal in Michigan?
Yes, you can legally buy hemp-derived CBD oil in Michigan without a prescription.. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives at the federal level, including health supplements like CBD extracts.
However, since the market is unregulated, I recommend doing the same as with delta-8 THC — getting your CBD oils from a trustworthy online store.
Buying Weed in Michigan: Bottom Line
Michigan is one of the best states if you’re looking for weed. Both recreational and medical users can enjoy legal marijuana from high-quality sources.
