Eligibility
Adult-use is the default — 21+ with valid ID. Medical requires a Michigan-issued medical marijuana card. To get a card you need a physician's certification for one of Michigan's qualifying conditions (chronic pain, cancer treatment, seizure disorders, glaucoma, several others). State application fee is around $40-60; physician consultation runs $75-200 depending on provider.
Purchase limits
Adult-use customers can buy up to 2.5 ounces of flower per transaction (or its concentrate/edible equivalent). Medical patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces every 15 days, with separate caps on concentrates and infused products that allow more total cannabinoid volume than adult-use. For heavy daily consumers, medical limits are meaningfully higher.
Tax difference
Adult-use cannabis in Michigan is taxed at 10% excise + 6% state sales tax — effective 16% total at the register. Medical sales pay only the 6% sales tax (no excise). On a $300 monthly cannabis budget, the tax difference is roughly $30/month — $360/year. Useful math if you're a regular user.
Product menus
Most Michigan dispensaries operate dual menus. The medical menu often includes higher-dose products and different formulations not available at adult-use retail. Adult-use product catalog is broader in some categories (newer hybrids, infused pre-rolls) where competitive innovation runs faster.
Is it worth it
If you consume less than $200/month and only use standard categories, adult-use is probably fine. If you consume heavily, prefer specific high-dose medical formulations, or value the higher purchase limits, the card pays for itself within 6-12 months. The application takes 1-2 weeks to process.
- Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) — qualifying conditions and patient application — Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency
- MCL 333.27963 — Tax on marihuana sales (10% excise differential) — Michigan Legislature
- Michigan Department of LARA — Bureaus and divisions overview — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs