Connect with us

Updates Updates Updates! New Regs & Rules for Michigan Patients & Caregivers

Last month, medical cannabis patients in the State
of Michigan got new rules set forth by the Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs (LARA). January 15 marked the day when changes to the
po

Published

on

L

ast month, medical cannabis patients in the State
of Michigan got new rules set forth by the Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs (LARA). January 15 marked the day when changes to the
policies regarding licensing under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act began to
apply to new applicants; changes such as a flat $60 fee for patients,
regardless of income, and a $25 fee for caregivers to complete their background
checks. These changes, which originally included a provision that would require
patients to apply online, were met with resistance by a host of cannabis activists
and, somewhat surprisingly, Congressmen from both sides of the political
spectrum when proposed to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules by LARA.

According to an
Mlive
report in the first weeks of 2015, LARA spokesperson Jeanine Vogel
claimed the changed cost for a medical cannabis card would “reduce the
registration fees for approximately 88 percent of applicants.” Previously, the
majority of patients in Michigan were paying $100 for their cards. However, a
stipulation in the old rules allowed exception to this cost for those eligible
for supplemental Social Security benefits or Medicaid, who only had to pay a
low $25 fee. This means that, low income patients will now be forced to pay
more for their medicine, a questionable move by LARA in a state where financial
strain is already prevalent, especially for the many patients who tend to be
looking for a cheaper source of relief for their ailments. But don’t blame the
politicians, this time. According to the same Mlive report, several representatives and senators, including republicans,
voiced words of opposition to the changes during the October hearing in which
the new rules package was introduced. Among these many concerns was a criticism
on a proposed rule change that would require patients to apply online, which
was criticized by legislators who believed it also unfairly targeted low income
residents of the state and those with lack of internet access. That particular
section of the proposed rule change package was eventually dropped, and does
not exist in the updated changes.

The last rule change, which did stick is a $25 fee
solely for caregivers to cover the cost to the state associated with conducting
background checks on those applying to grow medical cannabis for patients.  A background check was already required by the
state for caregivers, to ensure those applying were not convicted felons along
with a host of other requirements that must be met to receive a license;
however, now caregivers will pick up the expense themselves, an expense which
used to be taken out of the Medical Marijuana Program itself. It’s thought that
this changed responsibility in part allows for the aforementioned reduced fee
to the majority of patients in the state. Considering the revenue potential for
caregivers now and in the future, we don’t anticipate too many complaining
about the additional fee. Perhaps, the LARA could look at doubling this fee to
caregivers to subsidize the additional $35 being charged to low income patients
under the new rules. 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *