Can I Get a Michigan Medical Marijuana Card for Epilepsy?

Yes — epilepsy qualifies under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program

Epilepsy is a qualifying condition under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program. Patients with recurrent seizures — particularly those that are not fully controlled by standard antiepileptic medications — may benefit from cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids.

Common symptoms

• Recurrent seizures
• Loss of awareness
• Convulsions
• Treatment-resistant seizure activity

How medical cannabis may help

CBD has the strongest evidence base in epilepsy. The FDA approved Epidiolex (purified plant-derived cannabidiol) on June 25, 2018, for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare seizure disorders — Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome — in patients 2 years of age and older (the indication has since been expanded to include tuberous sclerosis complex and lowered to age 1+). Beyond these specific FDA approvals, CBD-rich cannabis may reduce seizure frequency in some patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Evidence base

Three randomized controlled trials supporting Epidiolex demonstrated significant reductions in drop seizures — for example, a 41.9% reduction with 20 mg/kg/day cannabidiol vs. 17.2% with placebo. Observational studies in broader epilepsy populations show variable but often meaningful benefit.

Michigan certification requirements

Documentation of your epilepsy diagnosis and treatment history is helpful. Coordination with your neurologist is strongly encouraged.