(WXYZ) — The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs announced Tuesday it is drafting new administrative rules for the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.
Officials say the proposed rules will lower the registry card application by 33 percent while getting rid of processing, updating and identification card replacement fees.
“Our team has worked hard to streamline the process for medical marijuana cardholders in Michigan,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “The proposed updated rules will dramatically lower the costs associated with medical marijuana registry cards for Michigan residents.”
Michigan voters passed the Medical Marijuana Act in 2008. The legislation authorizes the medical use of marijuana for qualifying patients and the issuance of identification cards to these patients and their caregivers.
Proposed rule changes include:
- Reduce the patient application fee from $60.00 to $40.00.
- Eliminate the $25.00 caregiver criminal background check processing fee.
- Eliminate the $10.00 fee to update the name or address on a registry card or to add a caregiver or request a replacement card.
- Increase the renewal period for patients from 60 to 90 days.
- Include email as a method by which staff from the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) will contact a patient, caregiver, or physician to verify the information provided on an application or supporting documentation.
- Include a provision that authorizes patients to change the person designated to be in possession of the plants.
In the next few weeks, a public hearing will be held to receive public input on the proposed rules, officials say.
