It is legal to cultivate marijuana plants in Macomb County for recreational and medical use. In Michigan, where Macomb County is situated, medical marijuana was legalized in 2008 through the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. This Act permits registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers to grow a maximum of 12 marijuana plants in enclosed spaces for personal use. Recreational cannabis was legalized in 2018 through the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, a voter-approved initiative. According to the provisions of this Act, adults (21 years and older) may cultivate a maximum of 12 cannabis plants and process them for personal use.
Licensed marijuana growers and micro-businesses may cultivate cannabis plants commercially. Micro-businesses are limited to growing a maximum of 150 cannabis plants. On the other hand, the number of cannabis plants a marijuana grower can cultivate depends on their license type. Class A cannabis growers in Macomb County may grow a maximum of 100 marijuana plants. Class B growers are limited to 500 cannabis plants, while Class C cannabis growers may grow a maximum of 2,000 cannabis plants. Commercial marijuana growers may cultivate cannabis plants outdoors or in greenhouses. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) regulates all cannabis activities in the state.
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act permits municipal authorities to establish ordinances to regulate marijuana cultivation within their borders. For instance, in Macomb Township, a civil township within Macomb County, the commercial cultivation of marijuana for recreational purposes is prohibited. The township only allows personal cultivation for recreational or medical use.
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act and the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act make cannabis manufacturing for recreational and medical use legal in all counties within the state, including Macomb County. Nevertheless, municipal authorities may regulate commercial cannabis processing activities within their borders, but they cannot restrict the processing of marijuana plants for medical use. For example, in Macomb Township, it is illegal to process cannabis commercially for recreational use within the township's borders. However, residents growing marijuana plants for personal use may process their cannabis plants themselves.
The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act allows licensed dispensaries to sell cannabis products to registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers. Also, as provided in the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, it is legal to sell cannabis at retail establishments in Macomb County to adults 21 years and older for recreational use. Eligible persons can buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis at once or a maximum of 15 grams of marijuana concentrate.
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act allows municipal authorities to restrict recreational marijuana retail operations within their jurisdictions. Therefore, cannabis retailing activities for recreational use are prohibited in some parts of Macomb County, such as Macomb Township.
Cannabis delivery is legal in Macomb County. The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act permits licensed cannabis retailers to deliver marijuana products to adults who are 21 years and older. Also, as provided in the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, medical cannabis dispensaries may deliver cannabis products to registered medical marijuana patients in Macomb County. However, in line with the provisions of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, some municipal authorities in Macomb County restrict cannabis delivery for recreational use within their borders.
All medical marijuana patients in Macomb County are required to register with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) under the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). Medical marijuana identification cards allow qualified marijuana patients to obtain cannabis at dispensaries legally. Applications for medical marijuana cards may be submitted online or via mail. An applicant must be diagnosed with a severe medical condition by a licensed doctor and issued a medical evaluation form.
A patient with a qualifying medical condition may apply for a medical marijuana card in Macomb County by creating an online account with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). After creating their accounts, applicants may log in using their passwords and usernames to register for medical marijuana cards. The CRA provides instructions for online medical marijuana card applications.
To apply for a medical marijuana identification card by mail, the individual should complete the patient application for medical marijuana form. They should then send the completed form with other required documents (physician certification form, proof of residency in Michigan, and $40 application fee payment) by mail to:
Michigan Medical Marijuana Program
P.O. Box 30083
Lansing, MI 48909
Medical marijuana card applicants in Macomb County may make inquiries about their Michigan medical marijuana card applications by calling the CRA at (517) 8599-284 or by contacting the agency at:
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Cannabis Regulatory Agency
Licensing Division
P.O. Box 30205
Lansing, MI 48909
According to marijuana sales reports released by the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), marijuana facilities in the state sold over $24.9 million worth of cannabis products in December 2019. This figure increased to over $32 million in March 2022. Also, the state generated about $289,300 in revenue from cannabis license applications in March 2022. These data show that Macomb County and other counties in Michigan have benefited from marijuana legalization.
According to crime reports published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Macomb County Sheriff's Office made 124 DUI (Driving under the Influence) arrests in 2017. Recreational marijuana was legalized in 2018, and that year, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office still had the same number of DUI arrests as the previous year (124). This figure increased to 126 arrests in 2019 before decreasing to 122 arrests in 2020.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office also made 123 arrests in 2017 for marijuana possession offenses and three arrests for marijuana sales offenses. In 2018, the number of arrests for cannabis possession decreased significantly to 53 arrests, while arrest figures for cannabis sales increased to 6. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office did not record any arrests for marijuana-related offenses in 2019. In 2020, there was only one cannabis sales arrest reported by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and none for cannabis possession. These data indicate that cannabis legalization positively impacted crime rates in Macomb County, bringing down the number of arrests for cannabis-related offenses. However, DUI crime rates in Macomb County were not significantly affected by marijuana legalization.