- Michigan Medical Marihuana Act(MMMA)
- The 2008 voter-approved Michigan law (Initiated Law 1) that established the state's medical marijuana program. The MMMA defines qualifying conditions, possession limits, caregiver rules, and the registry/identification card process.
- Related: MMMP, LARA, Qualifying Condition
- Michigan Medical Marihuana Program(MMMP)
- The state-run registry program that issues medical marijuana cards (registry identification cards) to qualifying Michigan patients and their caregivers. Administered by Michigan LARA.
- Related: MMMA, LARA, Registry ID
- Licensing and Regulatory Affairs(LARA)
- The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — the state agency that processes medical marijuana program applications, issues registry identification cards, and licenses practitioners. Now operates the MMMP through the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA).
- Related: MMMP, CRA
- Cannabis Regulatory Agency(CRA)
- The Michigan agency responsible for licensing and regulating both medical and adult-use cannabis businesses in Michigan. Took over many functions previously handled by the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA).
- Related: LARA, MRA
- Marijuana Regulatory Agency(MRA)
- The predecessor to Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). Some older Michigan resources still reference the MRA.
- Related: CRA, LARA
- Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act(MMFLA)
- A 2016 Michigan law that established the licensing framework for medical marijuana businesses (dispensaries / provisioning centers, growers, processors, transporters, and safety compliance facilities).
- Related: MMMA, CRA
- Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act(MRTMA)
- The 2018 voter-approved Michigan law that legalized adult-use (recreational) cannabis for adults 21+. The MRTMA created the framework for licensed adult-use sales beginning in 2019.
- Caregiver
- In Michigan, a caregiver is a person designated by a medical marijuana patient to assist with cultivation and use. A primary caregiver may serve up to 5 registered patients (plus themselves if they are a patient) and may grow up to 12 plants per patient.
- Related: MMMA, Registry ID
- Qualifying Condition
- A medical condition recognized under Michigan law as eligible for medical marijuana certification. The list includes chronic pain, cancer, PTSD, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, MS, epilepsy, IBD, autism, Alzheimer's, ALS, and others. See our full list of qualifying conditions.
- Related: Certification, MMMP
- Certification
- A written statement from a Michigan-licensed physician confirming that a patient has a qualifying medical condition and that medical marijuana may benefit them. The certification is required to apply for the MMMP registry card.
- Related: Physician, Registry ID, Qualifying Condition
- Recommendation
- Used interchangeably with "certification" — a physician's written acknowledgment that a patient has a qualifying condition and may benefit from medical marijuana. Federal law prevents physicians from "prescribing" cannabis, so the formal term is recommendation or certification.
- Related: Certification
- Registry Identification Card(Registry ID)
- The official Michigan medical marijuana card issued by LARA after a patient submits their physician certification and pays the $40 state fee. The card grants legal protection to possess and purchase medical cannabis in Michigan.
- Related: MMMP, LARA
- Provisioning Center
- The Michigan term for a licensed medical marijuana dispensary. Provisioning centers are licensed under the MMFLA to sell medical cannabis products to registered patients and caregivers.
- Related: MMFLA, Dispensary
- Dispensary
- A common term for a licensed cannabis retailer. In Michigan, "provisioning center" is the formal term for medical-only dispensaries. Adult-use stores are formally called "marihuana retailers."
- Related: Provisioning Center
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine(DO)
- A fully licensed physician who has completed medical school and residency training, equivalent to an MD. DOs receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine. Like MDs, DOs in Michigan can certify patients for the MMMP.
- Endocannabinoid System(ECS)
- A biological system involving CB1 and CB2 receptors, endogenous cannabinoids (anandamide, 2-AG), and metabolic enzymes. The ECS regulates pain, mood, appetite, sleep, immune function, and many other processes.
- Related: CB1, CB2, THC, CBD
- Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC)
- The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. Responsible for the "high" associated with marijuana and for many therapeutic effects, including pain relief, antiemetic activity, and appetite stimulation.
- Related: CBD, ECS
- Cannabidiol(CBD)
- A non-intoxicating cannabinoid widely studied for anxiety, seizure disorders, inflammation, and pain. CBD is FDA-approved as Epidiolex for two rare forms of epilepsy.
- Related: THC, ECS
- Cachexia
- A wasting syndrome involving severe weight loss, muscle atrophy, and weakness, often associated with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or other chronic illness. Cachexia is a qualifying condition under the MMMA.
- Related: Qualifying Condition
- Reciprocity
- When one state honors another state's medical marijuana card. Michigan does not currently offer formal reciprocity — out-of-state patients cannot use their out-of-state card at Michigan medical dispensaries. However, Michigan adult-use stores serve adults 21+ regardless of residency.
