LARA FAQ – Temporary Registration Card

[KLAW Blog]

I’m a current/prospective medical marijuana patient. Should I go to a third-party business to get/renew my registry identification card?

Can my application and physician certification serve as a temporary registration card?

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) is a state registry program that administers the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) as approved by Michigan voters on November 4, 2008. MMMP is a division within the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation (BMR), is separate from the Facilities Licensing Division within BMR, and is governed by a different law. MMMP is not affiliated with any third-party business operations, “dispensaries,” provisioning centers, caregivers, or certifying physicians and is not associated with any business operation that uses the terms “Michigan Medical Marijuana Program” or “MMMP” in their name or advertising. Applicants often receive inaccurate information from third parties that result in their applications being delayed or denied. Third-party business operations which tell patients that their application and physician certification serve as a temporary registration card are putting the patients at risk of possible arrest. As outlined in the MMMA, a patient or caregiver must present their valid registry identification card and a valid driver license – or government-issued identification card with photo – to law enforcement to be protected from arrest. BMR recommends that applicants wait until they receive a registry card before engaging in the medical use of marijuana. You may now register, renew or make changes to your registry card online.  You must be a qualified patient without a caregiver and your physician must have an online account.  Instructions and the online portal are available on our website at www.michigan.gov/mmp. If a patient or caregiver is submitting a paper application or an amendment to the MMMP, it is important to read and follow the instructions for completing the form and include all required supporting documents listed in the instructions. If a patient or caregiver is unsure about the instructions, they should call the MMMP before mailing the documents. It is also important for patients to only submit one application and its supporting documentation per envelope. If a patient was denied after submitting a paper application and is reapplying, it is important that they read and follow the instructions in the denial letter and – if they are unsure about the instructions – call the MMMP before mailing the documents. Patients should date the new application on the date they sign it – do not backdate or use the same date that was on the application that was denied. Patients should not allow other individuals or third parties to submit their applications or any other documents to the MMMP as patients will be unable to determine when or if their applications were submitted. Patients should not allow other individuals or third parties to retain copies of their documents, state-issued driver licenses, personal identification cards, or voter registrations as that increases the possibility of fraudulent submissions. The most recent approved application and forms are available on the MMMP website at www.michigan.gov/mmp.  Applicants, registered patients, and registered caregivers are required to use these updated forms. Failure to use current forms will result in a denial or the form being rejected. Those submitting an application or request for changes to his or her registration should only download forms from the MMMP’s website. Patients who wish to acquire medical marijuana or medical marijuana-infused products from licensed provisioning centers must first present a valid registry identification card at the time of purchase.

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