Michigan will return millions of dollars to patients and providers

This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on August 21, 2014.

Unless you are Colorado or Washington, no other state generates more ‘net profit’ from marijuana use than the great state of Michigan.

In 2013 the State raked in over $10,000,000. Most of that money going to the State’s general fund, now appropriated to county law enforcement. Which brings up several other issues we can discuss later.

Future rule changes to Michigan’s 5 year old medical marijuana law include a $60 fee every two years for certifying patients. This is a great savings compared with the legislation’s initial rules, $100 each year for medical cannabis patients and an even greater savings than the current fee of $100 every two years.

In addition, this month changes to state licensing legislation will take effect. The changes will waive fees charged to medical marijuana providers and caregivers who served in the US military.

MCL 338.2201 to 338.2277

The department shall waive the fee for an initial license or initial registration that is otherwise required under this act, or an application processing fee charged by the department for an initial license or initial registration, if  the applicant is an individual who served in the armed forces and he or she provides to the department a form DD214, form DD215, or any other form that is satisfactory to the department that demonstrates he or she was separated from that service with an honorable character of service or under honorable conditions (general) character of service.

This compassion demonstrated by Michigan’s leadership could indicate a shift in the conservative states view on medical marijuana laws, or quickly be replaced with further dispensary and marihuana sales taxes. Pure Michigan.