Acquiring Medications

[AbominableDro-Man]

So I've run into a small snag, it appears that my card has expired in the wait for my new card to get here. How long will it be until I can acquire medications again? The dispensaries are sort of my only option so it's sort of geared towards asking-Can I still go into a dispensary or...something to obtain medications? They cashed my check and all of that jazz, I'm just stuck in the waiting period and have managed to run myself down. It wouldn't be a problem if I had run out say..a couple days from now

[Mww113]

If you have proof that the state has cashed your check, along with a copy of your application and doctor's recommendation, you should be able to get into most dispensaries. Section 9 gives the state 20 days to issue you with a card. If those 20 days have passed, you don't have your card, and you have all the aforementioned paperwork- most dispensaries will accept the paperwork as a valid card.

[AbominableDro-Man]

Alright. So say I have my paperwork, Doctor rec, Bank statement with the check cashed, the copy of the check itself that was cashed, and my I.D, but it has yet to be 20 days: Can I still use those to get meds, or does it have to be 20 days after they've cashed my check? For reference, I had my card, it simply expired in my wait for the new one. They just managed to cash the check on the 14th.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Comfortably_Numb

[t-pain]

its up to the dispensary bro. show up there and ask them...

[Mww113]

Once the check is cashed, presumably the state has approved you and has yet to send the card. This is a little bit of a legal grey area. Presuming the state has approved your application when they cashed your check, you are legal. If they haven't approved you and the twenty day period has not passed, you are probably not legal. The law itself says this in section 9 of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act:

 

(b) If the department fails to issue a valid registry identification card in response to a valid application or renewal submitted pursuant to this act within 20 days of its submission, the registry identification card shall be deemed granted, and a copy of the registry identification application or renewal shall be deemed a valid registry identification card.

 

If you bring all of the required documentation and the dispensary is willing to make the presumption that you have been approved (by virtue of the state cashing your check), they will probably let you in. If they aren't, they probably won't. It would be up to the individual dispensary and what their lawyers have told them. If I were you, I would start at dispensaries that you are already a member of. They may be more willing to let you in than a place where you would be a new patient. Worst case scenario, wait until the 20 day period is up and then most dispensaries should accept you.  

 

And for the record, my statements in no way constitute legal advice of any kind. These are my own personal opinions, suggestions, and understanding of the law.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Mww113

[cheapshades]

Just the FAQ, the whole FAQ, and nothing but the FAQ can be found here:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/lara_MMP_FAQ_6-28-13_426011_7.pdf

 

 

"Question: If I see my check or money order has been cashed, does that mean I have been approved? 

 

Answer: No. As soon as the MMP receives an application or change form accompanied by a fee the warrant is 

directly deposited. The MMP has 15 business days to approve or deny an application and then, if the 

application was denied, 5 business days to send a denial letter.

 

Question: What do I do between the time I sent my application to the MMP and when it is 

approved or denied? 

 

Answer: Once it has been 20 business days since the date the check or money order has been cashed, (if the 

patient has not received a certified letter of denial from the State) then in most cases, the patient (and if a 

caregiver was designated on the application) has been approved. Pursuant to the Michigan Medical Marihuana 

Act and Administrative Rules, the copy of the application is deemed a valid registration card until the card is 

received. The patient (and if a caregiver was designated on the application) should receive their registry ID 

cards within approximately 60 days."

 

Be safe.

 

Edited March 20, 2014 by cheapshades